Posted on Feb 5, 2015
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
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The Coast Guard pulled an icy pup from frozen waters in Michigan. You never know what you might be asked to do today. You guys rock!

http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/coast-guard-saves-drowning-dog-from-frozen-river/ [login to see] 31/Comcast/XFNpidOnly?byCustomValue=%7Bbrand%7D%7BFoxNews%7D&cid=hero_media_Carroll
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Responses: 4
CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Honestly, I wish the USCG got more respect from the military community. They do really solid work, seriously.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
SP5 Michael Rathbun
10 y
The Coasties we got to know well when we lived on Kodiak Island were exemplars of the finest military traditions we have. It was a while before I discovered that "Knee-deep Navy" was their term, not to be used by random civilians.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
10 y
CPT Michael Barden thank you for that comment. I think many people forget the 24/7/365 mission that never never ends. We all have a role to play. I am proud of mine...although now that my son is SM Army I am rooting fo the other team! ;)
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CWO3 Division Officer
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I have been a Coastie for 24 years 18 have been in SAR
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
10 y
Thank you for your service CWO3 (Join to see)! Semper Paratus!
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SFC Network Engineer
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I spent two years in the Coast Guard... What a lot of people don't realize, is just how much danger they put themselves in - not just to get bad guys, but to SAVE people.

Boat crews put themselves in danger in 42' craft that can completely invert, and will then right themselves, often in waves that are taller than a three story building...

Aircrews fly in just about everything - including some of the worst rain and wind, while lowering someone to SWIM to you in those 40' seas, put you in the basket, and pull you up to a warm aircraft cabin.

During my time, I can think of times when my AirSta conducted SAR for over 72-hours - changing crews every 8-hours, flying C-130's and G-25's and HH-60Js to try to find someone who's boat disappeared or went down.

If you're sinking or have sunk, there is a good chance that an aircrew or boat crew is looking for you.

One other thing: I ALWAYS loved the mission of saving people more than the mission fighting them. There is no bigger reward than knowing that you saved someone so they can go back to loved ones another day.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
10 y
SFC (Join to see) wow, I haven't met a lot of Coastie that switched to other branches. It is usually the other way around. May I ask what caused your desire to switch?
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SFC Network Engineer
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
PO2 Jonathan Scharff: I actually started out in the Army - Active Duty. Did my three and got out. A couple of months later, I went into the National Guard. After three years, and not really making any money working as a security guard, I said to hell with it and tried to come back in. Problem was that the Army was going through a drawdown in '92, so I wound up going over to see the Coast Guard recruiter (at my wife's suggestion), and they needed Aviation Electrician who had worked on Blackhawks (they had just gotten their first three J-Hawks - but had no experienced crews or mechs for them). So, I wound up joining and doing 2-years. When I got out, I knew I wanted to come back into the Army so 15 days after I was out of the Coast Guard, I was back in the Army at my duty station of choice.
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
10 y
SFC (Join to see) sounds like we lost a good man! Smart wife you have.
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