The Training Path from Coxswain to Conn

Ryan Kass began his Coast Guard career as a seaman assigned to CGC Hamilton in 2019. He had his sights set high and swiftly began working on his various qualifications. But a big cutter means big responsibility – and plenty of critical training.

Kass left the cutter to take part in the Boatswain’s Mate (BM) Rating Apprenticeship Program (RAP), returning to Hamilton as a Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class. The BM RAP was established the same month Kass reported to Hamilton and was created to keep up with the demand for third-class boatswain's mates. It shortened the A-school curriculum from 14 weeks to 6 if the member completed the prerequisites.

The RAP began as a solution to the continuing problem of those in the Coast Guard aviation community experiencing long wait times before they could attend A-school. Instead of waiting around in limbo as days passed, they developed the RAP to allow nonrates to be sent to an Air Station where they could become familiar with life and work there while awaiting their turn to attend A-school. Then, when they went off to start their training, they're already ahead of the curve. After training, they return to the same Air Station.

Boatswain’s mate A-school borrowed the RAP model, made some changes to fit their specific needs, and put it to work for them. Now, members who already possess the necessary boat crewmember qualification are eligible to attend a six-week A-school program instead of the usual twelve-week course.

In addition to the RAP, the expanded Vested Crewmember Program (VCP) offers similar benefits for some ratings including BM, Culinary Specialist (CS), Damage Controlman (DC), Electricians Mate (EM), Electronics Technician (ET), Gunner’s Mate (GM), Machinery Technician (MK), and Operations Specialist (OS). The VCP seeks to maximize the effectiveness of guaranteed A-school by creating a streamlined process for Active Duty enlisted workforce accessions and assignment to a member’s first unit. Graduating recruits are assigned to a Third Class Petty Officer position in their future rating (versus a non-rate position), which they return to after A-School graduation. So, a member completes their Permanent Change of Station to a unit and awaits assigned A-School convening date, while establishing relationships with the new command, gaining qualifications, and acquiring field-based rating knowledge.

“These are some of the ways leaders are thinking innovatively about how to use nonrates at a unit, before they go to school,” said Rear Admiral Russell “Rusty” Dash, former Commander, Personnel Service Center. “It’s work that lines our junior folks up for the profession they’ve chosen in the Coast Guard.”

BM2 Kass saw the BM RAP as an opportunity to accelerate his career development and completed the prerequisites to qualify. Having earned multiple qualifications before leaving for A-school, and knowing the ins and outs of CGC Hamilton, he quickly became a leader upon his return. He advanced to BM2 in under two years and continued to work towards more senior qualifications, like Underway Officer of the Deck (OOD).

From driving boats to conning ships and working the deck to relieving the deck, OOD qualification is one of the many ways CGC Hamilton's boatswain's mates demonstrate their dedication to duty and executing the ship’s mission. The OOD is responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, the safety of everyone aboard, and is entrusted with the commanding officer's responsibility and authority while standing the watch. The larger the cutter, the more challenging it becomes to earn an OOD qualification. On a national security cutter like CGC Hamilton, the OOD is responsible for the lives of approximately 150 personnel.

"Earning this qualification is a major accomplishment for any Coast Guard member,” said Captain Justin Carter, the ship's commanding officer.  “Earning it as a second-class petty officer indicates accelerated levels of maturity and leadership."

Kass earned his OOD qualification in February 2024, and during his first watch, he spotted a vessel in distress within Panamanian territorial waters. He watched as a man from the vessel frantically waved a flag and his arms to alert the ship. Kass swiftly notified the crew and maneuvered the ship to deploy a rescue and assistance (R&A) crew. He launched a cutter boat and kept the ship within 200 yards of the distressed vessel. BM2 Justin Figueroa, who earned his OOD qualification about a week later, was part of the R&A crew and assisted in providing aid to the Panamanian-flagged fishing vessel before Hamilton communicated with and passed the situation over to Panamanian naval forces.  

"OOD is a huge responsibility, I hold everyone's lives in my hands when I take the watch, and I don't take that lightly," said Petty Officer First Class Matthew Anderson, another boatswain's mate assigned to Hamilton. 

CGC Hamilton is very proud of all the personnel who achieve the qualifications and proficiency needed throughout the ship to ensure readiness for each mission or emergency.

The hard work, dedication, professionalism, and leadership of Hamilton’s boatswain's mate OODs is one example of the superior work and diligent efforts of our entire 'Vigilant Sentinels' crew. They exemplify the expertise, adaptability, and sacrifice required of those who serve at sea.

____

During Hamilton's most recent deployment, a total of 13 crewmembers qualified as underway OODs, four of whom were boatswain’s mates (BM), including BM2 Kass, Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Voutour, Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Anderson, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Figueroa earned their qualification letters, completing an advancement requirement for Chief Petty Officer.