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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
BMC Albert Cowden U.S. Coast Guard (Ret) (1970-1996)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?
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| Sea Scouts |
While a Junior in high school I was in the BSA's Sea Explorer program and though that I got a summer job on a charter fishing boat, OTT'S YOTT, out of ILLWACO WA. There I saw a bunch of guys riding around on these white boats with blue and red strips and COAST GUARD in big black letters. They were drinking sodas and fishing, every now and then I saw them towing some other boat. I asked my Skipper, Irving Ott, "what is this Coast Guard?" He told me that he had been in the Coast Guard Reserves during the second world war and explained what the Coast Guard was about. Up to this time my plans were to complete high school and go into the Navy SeaBees like my dad.
But after watching those white boats all summer I changed my mind, I thought these Coast Guard guys had a pretty good thing going and it' would be a good job for me. At the end of the summer I went back to school and about two months before I graduated I signed up. There was supposed to be a 4 to 6 month waiting list to go to Boot Camp. My dad got the word there was some opening sooner and he volunteered me to fill one of them. So I graduated on June 7, 1970 and reported for Boot Camp on June 14, 1970, seven days out of high school.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
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| Where The Fun Begins |
At first I thought that I wanted to stay in the small boat community, but now I'm glad that I opened myself to other Coast Guard communities. I did some deep water service on a WMEC and a WHEC. Did tours as a Company Commander, and at a LORAN Station. Then I had assignments at a Base Security Police and PACAREA TACLET that covered my interest in law enforcement.
On reflection I think that for the most part I always look to assignments that provided a service to the public. I felt my service in the Coast Guard made a difference and made life better for others.
Leaving the Coast Guard was very tough on me. I didn't really want to leave, but the new high year tenure rules and service down sizing caught up with me.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I did Special Operations for NATO Operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Desert Storm operations in the Arabian Sea. While I wouldn't say that these were life-changing they were a great. I got to work with many of my counterparts from many different countries.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
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| Siuslaw River |
Station Siuslaw River would have to be top of the list as the most memorable and fondest unit I was assigned to. I reported aboard as a Seamen and departed on the list for First Class Boatswain's Mate. I did more things and mastered more skills during my time there than any other assignment. Some of the highlights are; I met and married my wife, had my first son, and became a Heavy Weather MLB Coxswain while serving there. I met some of my shipmates that I have had the longest contact with during my military career and after.
Picking a least favorite assignment is very difficult as I have great memories from every one of my duty stations. I guess if I have to pick one it would be the USCGC Modoc.It wasn't the small boat station I wanted from Boot Camp and I mainly mess cooked in a galley the size of a large locker. I know when the chance to get off her came up by joining a program of training Seamen as Coxswains at Station Coos Bay I jumped on it.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
The response to this question could fill a whole book as there are so many personal memories that has have major impacts on my life. I think the way I am going to deal with this question for now is to list the top ten:
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| Great Memories |
1. When I qualified as a MLB Coxswain and started handling my own SAR calls. This give me self- convenience that I could successfully complete almost any task set before me.
2. The first time I crossed a breaking bar at night, this showed me that even though I am scared, my training and my faith in my abilities could enable me to handle new and frightful things.
3. Memories of my postings to SAR Stations and the PACAREA TACLET drove home the real importance of teamwork Making sure that you are covering the back of of your shipmates. You are relying that they doing their job and you do yours. The real feeling of putting your life life in somebody else hands and you having the responsibility of somebody's else life in your hands.
4. My assignment to CGC DALLAS, something that I didn't really want to do. But after adjusting to the assignment I learned so much, had great experiences and met the Chief, BMC Dunn, who I patterned my leadership skills from. It taught me to enter every new opportunity with an open mind and use it to improve yourself.
5. Making Chief Petty Officer. This was a goal of mine even before I know about the Coast Guard. My dad was a Navy SeaBee and often told stories about these Chiefs. They were professionals that knew all about their rate, know how to get things done (even when the system didn't work), could kick some Sailor's butt when he needed it and make sure he got a square deal. The Chief look after his Sailors and his Sailors respected him and I wanted to be that type of a man.
6. My help setting up the CG EMT program at TRACEN Petulma and attending the first class. This gave me a great deal of personnel satisfaction, worked with a bunch of great shipmates, and gave me the confidence to deal some medical emergencies though out the rest of my life.
7. Becoming the first OinC at Station Honolulu. After my first assignment to a Small Boat Station,Siuslaw River, I had set a goal to be a OinC of a Small Boat Station. After being assigned to Base Honolulu's Boathouse, with a lot of work and great support from Group Honolulu, I made that goal come true by changing the Boathouse to a Small Boat Station.
8. Working some of the first illegal Chinese immigrate boats. Seeing what hardships people would go though to come to the United States, hearing their stories, and seeing the heartbreak and disappointment in their eyes when they found out that they will not be coming to America.
9. The first time that I made the recommendation to suspended the active search for a missing person and telling their survivors that we were are no longer actively searching for their loved ones.
10. Much like #9 having to tell somebody that their loved ones didn't make it.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
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| My Ribbon Bar |
If my ribbon bar section is reviewed one can see I have been honored to be awarded a number of medals and awards for my achievements and performance during my service career. I have also have received formal presentations for some of my activities in my communities and organizations I have belonged to. I feel fortunate to have received these accolades, as I feel that I didn't work for them, they were given to me. There are two badges that I am proud of that I achieved mainly though my efforts.
First is when I qualified for my MLB Coxswain Pin. I spent numerous hours the 36' MLB and later on the 44' MLB on the river and crossing the bar while I learned how to operate the boats. Towing the 25' UTB, taking it along side, mooring it to some dock, then moving up to tow the Station's other larger boats. Running my Compass/timetable from the Sea Buoy to the Boathouse for fog navigation to get it perfect. Progressing from picking up life-buoys to dummies and finally a live person out of the water. Gaining a proficiency with all the equipment, electronics, and boat operations. Learning to navigated by using fathom depths, landmarks, dead-reckoning and old manual LORAN. Getting the feeling of how the boats will react in heavy weather/seas and in surf conditions. Sweating out the qualification test and the finial check ride. I have never have had such a feeling of accomplishment and pride as when my Chief pinned that Coxswain Pin on my chest. The only other time I had equal feelings is when the wife pinned on the anchors to my collars.
The second is my Officer in Charge (OinC) pin. From my time at Sta. Siuslaw River I had the desire to have my own Small Boat Station. I sat for the OinC Review Board while I was the Executive Officer at Sta. Bodga Bay and was qualified for OinC ashore. My opportunity came when I was assigned at Base Honolulu Boathouse. With a lot of effort by me and my crew, great support and backing from Group Honolulu, and a blessing from the District Office, Headquarters Base Honolulu's Boathouse became CG Station Honolulu. I realized my goal of having my own station by becoming Station Honolulu's first OinC.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I would like to add an other milestone is when I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia University. Even more remarkable to me is I graduated Cum Laude. Considering I was a C and D student in high school and didn't really care so much for school.
I believe this accomplishment was a confirmation that I had matured into a fully grow man. I had a family and was a Chief Petty Officer at this time. I had some how managed to matured into a responsible and successful person. I had realized that if you worked hard, keep your focus on a goal and not give up when things got rough you can accomplish any thing you sat your mind to.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Corky Dunn; The Chief Boatswain's Mate I served under on the CGC Dallas. He set a leadership style that I emulated when I became a Chief and has served me very well.
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| Great People! |
Fred Lewis: My best friend from my service days. We were Company Commanders at both TRACEN Alameda and Cape May, then were assigned at the same time to different commands at SUPCEN Alameda. Our families stayed with each other when awaiting housing numerous times. Still visit with each other when our families are in the area.
David Durren; was the Executive Officer Station Suislaw River that was instrumental in providing the guidance that made it possible for me to achieve my qualification as a MLB Coxswain the awarding of my pin.
Timothy Stanton; a Cook at Statuon Suislaw River that changed his rate to Boatswain Mate. We work and trained together to get our MLB Coxswain Pins. We spent hours taking each other in tow and working on our surf skills. By the time we qualified as Coxswain we knew just how each other handled the boats. It came in useful later as we could work a busting bar or a SAR case as an outstanding team.
Capt. Smith; Can't remember his first name, but he was the Commanding Officer of the CGC Dallas when I was assigned to to her. He set the measuring stick for every Officer I served with after him. He was a great ship handler, had great leadership skills, and took care of his people.
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 there are a lot of incidents in my career that brings a smile to my face. One of my best is when I was a Company Commander at Alameda. I believe that it was in the fourth week of training each recruit had to pass a basic Seaman proficiency
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| Put Your Lips Together and Blow |
test. CCS were at different stations to test heaving line throw, not tying, general orders and other such skills. I was manning the life jacket station testing the recruit's mastery of the navy and inflatable jackets.
This fresh-faced recruit had just sailed though the navy jacket without a hitch. But the inflatable jacket starting going south right from the start. I had to provided some typical CC guidance to the young man. I asked him about the oral inflation procedure and the recruit went blanked out. It seemed he could not recall what oral inflation was, so to assist the recruit I asked if he know what oral sex was. The recruit seemed to go into a deep thought the with a face filled with innocent replied "Yes Sir, that's when to talk about sex."
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?
I went into the private security field. I was an Armed Agent, did personnel and property details, worked patrol and standing post and worked up to being a Operations Officer. I worked at this second career for about 18 years the decided to retire completely.
At present I am just enjoying my retirement.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of he Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer's Association. Mainly I use it to stay in touch with what is going on around the Coast Guard.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
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| Have Faith |
I would be neglectful if I don't credit my parents with giving me a strong base to start my career and life. My years of service made me a contributing member to my community. It reinforced the work ethic my father had instilled in me. My belief in self honesty and integrity in all things was tempered to fine point. I learned that if you truly want something with hard work one can almost achieve any goal. That prejudging things and people can limit one's possibilities of learning something new, having great experiences and memories, and making lifetime relationships.
It gave me the ability to face things that frighten me when I prepare myself. My service gave me self convenience in my judgement and abilities. It provided me the ability to work with others, either in a leadership position or as a team-mender. I felt a real feeling of self worth and felt that I was making a real contribution to the well-bearing of my fellow man.
Even after my Coast Guard career ended I still worked in a service field, became a Foster Parent to give back to my community and continue to look to find ways to be a service to others.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE COAST GUARD?
Don't hold onto negative experiences, learn from them and move on. Open yourself to as many experiences as are presented to you. Remember the old saying "Can't never did a damn thing, but try always done" Don't provide excuses, provide solutions. Find yourself mentors that you can pattern your self and your leadership skills from, mold yourself using them as a guide but making sure you stay true to yourself. Don't be afraid to ask question.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
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| TWS and the USCG |
As I was trying to recall all my duty stations it caused me to remember a bunch of shipmates, the good and tough times of those duty stations. Responding to questions in the "Reflections On Your Service" section caused me to dig deep in my memories, to explore my feelings about my career and recall how much I miss the service.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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