Flotilla Member Training Status Updates
As the FSO-MT for Flotilla 20-02 I would like to
provide a "state of affairs" in the area of Member Training. To date we
have been busy in providing mentoring to three prospective boat crew
trainees. This effort consisted of mostly classroom type of activity were
the candidates learned and practiced those tasks outlined in the Boat Crew
Training Manual and which could be performed on dry land rather than from a
boat.
Since the above activities have concluded, it is now
that the activity shifts to dockside and on-the-water (OTW) training. In
Flotilla 20-02 we have a problem of available resources since due to
attrition, I believe we have only two OPFAC vessels available to the
members. This will make OTW somewhat difficult, but not impossible. I
encourage any member who has a vessel, to offer their vessel for use as an
Operational Facility. Please call me, if interested, as to what that
entails and how to proceed.
Members who are qualified as crewman or coxswain are
encouraged to support candidate trainees in getting their respective
sign-offs in order to prepare them for the QE phase. Herein, also lies a
degree of difficulty and that is the availability of a QE. Therefore,
scheduling of vessels, coxswain, crew personnel and QE, as well as weather
and sea conditions, must all come together to provide the timely and
appropriate platforms for this training activity.
As FSO-MT, I am asking all members to support this
activity by making themselves, their vessels, available if they
are qualified. For example, if a coxswain wishes to do a patrol, keep in
mind the opportunity to support the training exercises of the candidates.
We need to ensure that we take advantage of every opportunity to get these
candidates trained and ready for their QE qualification cycle.
The candidates must also make themselves available when
the opportunity arises, albeit some have day -time jobs.
As for other member training. If the members become
aware of mandatory training they should make every effort to attend. Of the
Flotilla members, we had only 13 members go through Sexual Harassment
Training. Also, keep an eye open for training at Yorktown. That is a good
vehicle to complete necessary coursed for AUXOP and to become proficient in
various Coast Guard programs, such as vessel inspector, watch stander, and a
number of other disciplines.
For further information members should
contact Heinz Rister, Member Training Staff Officer for Fotilla 20-02 via email
at
mt@mhccgaux.com.