Chatterton, Ray, MK1

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD.

Joining the Military

Ah, December 1976. I had been out of the US Navy for nearly two months, and the job market was overflowing with Vietnam Veterans now that the US has left that conflict behind. I know my job, but I did not want to return to submarines in the US Navy.

I recently had the chance to talk with a couple of US Coast Guard Recruiters, and they are positive that I will have no problems adapting to the US Coast Guard. I had achieved the rank of MM2SS in the US Navy, and I have been assured that there would be no drop in rank when I join the US Coast Guard.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING.
Being an MK2 when I entered the US Coast Guard on January 2, 1977, I was a bit surprised when I was first stationed on a 65 foot Ice Breaking Harbor Tug Boat, the USCGC Swivel in Rockland, ME. The crew consisted of a BMC, BM1, MK1, MK2, FN, SN,

My Military Service Path

& SA. I was stationed on the USCGC Swivel for roughly two years. We were busy all year round. During the winter, we would work the various harbors breaking ice to protect the fishing and lobster boats. In the spring, we would work our way up various rivers breaking the ice to prevent ice jams and the associated flooding.

Throughout the year, we would maintain various navigational aids as well as make personnel and supply runs for the many manned lighthouses that remained in service in our operating area. From there, I was transferred to the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Because of my background and training with steam, I spent the first 3-1/2 years working in the Campus Boiler Plant. The only downside of this was the rotating swing shift. 3 days on the evening shift, 3 days on the night shift, 3 days on day shift, 2 days off, and repeat. Most people only stay at the Boiler Plant for 2 years before they are rotated to Auxiliary Maintenance.

My next transfer was to the USCGC Vigilant in New Bedford, MA. I was there for a little over one year and was once again transferred after being advance to MK1. To my surprise, I was sent to Cincinnati, OH to be, the Reserve Station Keeper. This was a 4-year billet, but after 2 years had passed, my billet was discontinued and I, was once again transferred. This time, I was sent further inland to the USCGC Scioto in Keokuk, IA. This was a 65 foot River Boat with a 75-foot work barge. We maintained the navigational aids up and down the Mississippi River as far south as Cairo, IL and al,l the way up to Saint Paul, MN. I was on the CGC Scioto for roughly 4 years. Now things got interesting.

I was transferred back to New England, at Gloucester, MA to the USCGC Cape Higgon (WPB 95302). Four months later, we decommissioned her, and I was sent to Petersburg, AK, to bring the USCGC Cape Hatteras down through the Panama Canal and back up to Gloucester, MA, so we could decommission her and give her to Uruguay on January 5, 1990. Sadly, the crew in Alaska did not document the various repairs and problems that the Cape Hatteras suffered so it, looked to be in better shape (on paper) than it was. This was a rough 10 months. My final transfer brought me to the USCGC White Heath, in Boston, MA. This ship was originally a Manned Light House Lighter; a supply ship for the various manned lighthouses in the Greater Boston Area. Unfortunately, the lighthouses were all automated with, the exception of the Boston Light House. Thus the White Heath was assigned various navigational aide maintenance duties.

My career in the US Coast Guard ended on December 1, 1992, when I was Honorably Discharged and retired after 20 years of military service.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?

My Military Operations

Being in the US Coast Guard as an Enlisted Propulsion/Auxiliary Engineer, I did my job without having to travel into harm's way for combat, peacekeeping, or humanitarian operations. However, I was involved with many Search and Rescue Missions where we had to travel into very bad weather and heavy seas to save life and property. It just was not combat-related.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?

My Fondest Military Assignment

I took pride in the various Search and Rescue Missions I participated in while stationed in Gloucester, MA, on both the Cape Higgon and the Cape Hatteras. The worst thing I can think of was the four-month trip from Petersburg, AK down the West Coast to Panama and back up to Gloucester, MA. The 65 foot Coast Guard Patrol Boat was not designed for this type of mission.

We had no way of producing potable/drinkable water. We had no laundry equipment. The navigational equipment was not sufficient for the task assigned. This Coast Guard Cutter was not designed to travel that distance and that far out to sea. To add insult to injury, we transited the Panama Canal right after US Forces entered Panama to capture President Manuel Noriega. We were advised to say below and out of sight for fear of being shot at.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.

Remembering My Military Service

I have been involved with more than my fair share of body recoveries from people who drowned to people who died due to a shipboard accident. I consider myself very fortunate in that I never had to deal with a dead child. Being a farm boy, I seemed to automatically shift my thinking to thinking of the dead person as a dead animal. This allowed me to remain focused on the job at hand rather than having to deal with a dead person.

After the job was done, when I could be alone, I would have a good cry as I dealt with the raw emotions that come with recovering a dead person. I consider myself fortunate in that one of my childhood friends was the son of an undertaker. I was taught, by his father, how to properly handle a body and what could happen if the body was miss-handled.

The photo is of US Coast Guard training.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Any award that I may have received that meets this category was earned while participating in a group effort. Any award that I may have received was due to having good shipmates.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

My Most Meaningful Awards

One would think that I had earned my Pistol and Rifle Ribbons early in my military career. One would think. However, it was not until 1991, about six months before I retired, that we had yet another qualification period for firearms. The US Coast Guard does not have the people to dedicate to this type of job, thus the need to bring in a USMC Gunny Sergeant to take us through our paces. I qualified with no problems with the rifle, seeing as I have shot .22 rifles while growing up in Illinois.

My shooting earned my Sharpshooter's designation. Now shooting the .45 Service Semi-Automatic Pistol was a different thing. These pistols were so worn that I was lucky to hit the target. The USMC Gunny was frustrated with my almost qualifying after three attempts. I talked him into letting me use his Beretta Side Arm while he watched me fire. I was asked to call my shots before I fired. And that is how I earned my Expert Award for the Pistol.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?

My Most Influential Person

This is a hard subject to narrow down. Almost all of my Enlisted supervisors would meet this requirement. As for Officers, I have had to deal with more than my fair share of officers that may have been book-smart, but did not know how to motivate people without threatening them.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While on the USCGC Scioto (WLR 65504), we encountered a situation where we had to recover a fisherman. His boat was anchored in the middle of the Mississippi River, and no one was visible. The Skipper sent a small boat to investigate and found that the fisherman dead. His craft

My Funniest Military Memory

was brought alongside so we could take care of the boat, the deceased owner, and his catch. Seeing as the MKC was on leave and the BM1 was working the navigational markers for the Mississippi River, I was directed to take care of the fishing boat. It was filled with catfish, the fishing trap, and the dead owner/operator.

I directed two non-rates to get into the fishing boat to place the body in a litter so we could bring him aboard. Unfortunately, the non-rates picked the dead fisherman up wrong and inadvertently filled his lungs with air. When they placed him in the litter, the air came out as a long and drawn-out moan. The two "spooked" non-rates jumped out of his boat onto the CGC Scioto. I noted that they had soiled and wet themselves, but sent them back into the fishing boat to hand me the litter. It was so hard not to laugh in their faces.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
When I retired, I concentrated on finishing the job of raising my two sons. I did various odd jobs to pay the bills, but I had and continue to have a hard time finding and keeping employment. It has been very hard to give up what I learned and used

My Post-Military Career

in the US Armed Forces while dealing with the prejudice of people who look down on veterans. The civilians have developed the idea that any veteran who served over four years could not keep a "Real Job" and that is the reason they stayed in for 20 years. After my boys grew up and moved out, I used my GI-Bill to earn my BA in History with an Art Minor. I tried teaching but was hired, not so much as to teach, but more to deal with children with behavior problems.

I ended up working with Special Education Students. My 20 years as a sailor helped me deal with this. When the students would come into class, mad, upset, and cursing, I would laugh and tell them that I have not been called that in years. The students quickly figured out that I have been called many, many things, and cursing does not affect me. After three years of Special Education Teaching, I had to give up teaching due to a botched Total Right Knee Replacement Surgery that the VA did at the Iowa City VA Hospital. I remain unable to work.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

My Military Associations

I am a member of the American Legion. I have a lifetime membership in the Disabled American Veterans. I have a lifetime membership in the Am Vets. As to benefits, I receive their monthly magazines and have access to other services.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?

Personal Influence Of Military Service

First of all, my military service reinforced an already established Work Ethic. Regardless of the job, I am motivated, loyal, and mission-focused. I continue to be time conscious, and I continue to believe in getting the job done right the first time. Secondly, I excelled at working in a team environment. I have communication skills that work equally well when communicating with my superiors as well as my co-workers. I also have well-developed leadership skills.

My military service often required creative problem-solving. Situations often required complex problem solving as I and my co-workers would quickly analyze the problem and find the best solution while remaining time and resource conscious.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE COAST GUARD?

My Advice on Military Service

My best advice is to remain open-minded. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

Rather than dwell on what has gone wrong or who might have messed up, spend that time looking for the best in each and everyone that you deal with. The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy remains true today as it has in the past. If you keep telling yourself or someone that they will fail, they will stop trying and ultimately fail. If you keep telling yourself or someone else that they will succeed, they will surprise you and themselves with their success.

Do not listen to the people who are trying to bring you down. They have given up and want you to fail so they can feel better about their own shortcomings.

Set short term goals that you can accomplish and then build bigger and better goals upon your successes.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the USCG

TogetherWeServed.com has made me look anew at my military service. This time, I have looked for the good and stopped dwelling on the bad.

DS 1/26/2020