tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51984873590183309332012-01-17T23:23:22.968-08:00CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-41406010865289392822009-06-14T06:05:00.000-07:002009-06-14T06:17:08.547-07:00

Check out the Coast Guard's official service-wide blog, The Coast Guard Compass, at coastguard.dodlive.mil.  I am one of the writers!Check back here soon for a post that lists all the unit-specific or topic-specific official Coast Guard blogs...

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-10689194215034772272009-05-25T05:57:00.000-07:002009-05-25T06:13:52.795-07:00

Well, it's that time again to relocate. I am proud to say I graduated with my masters degree and will return to the Coast Guard as a Public Affairs Officer at the headquarters office in Washington, D.C.  Transfer season is an exciting yet somber time for me.  I have written about this before and it never gets any easier to leave the friends I have met and the comfort of familiarity to start new.

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-80378768825523527822009-04-06T06:31:00.000-07:002009-04-06T06:35:38.514-07:00

One of my professors this semester challenged us to come up with three ways to use technology to help solve problems. He instructed us to post our ideas publicly through a blog, Web site, or other technology. Here, I discuss three simple yet timesaving and helpful technological ideas to improve internal communications within the U.S. Coast Guard. 1. Use social bookmarking to share Internet

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-42707786424241313202009-02-18T09:45:00.000-08:002009-02-18T10:14:49.707-08:00

What does ALCGCIV, ALCGENL, ALCGOFF, ALCOAST, ALCGRSV, ALCGPERSCOM on the USCG RSS feeds mean? This is the subject of an e-mail I recently received from a soon-to-be Coastie who is trying to stay up-to-date on the latest Coast Guard news and information by subscribing to USCG RSS feeds. My response to this confused soul… “Welcome to the world of military acronyms!” It definitely takes a while to

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-65552281865851240752009-01-27T18:01:00.000-08:002009-01-27T18:31:17.537-08:00

Over the years, I have helped several USCG members and civilians prepare for the OCS interview. This formal interview is conducted with USCG officers and is similar to a regular job interview. In my opinion, it will make or break a candidate’s chances of being selected. This is the only opportunity real, live USCG personnel have to see if you are a good fit for the service. I am by no means an

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-2272590697369965162009-01-15T18:02:00.000-08:002009-01-15T18:23:05.091-08:00

From what we know so far, today is a very good day according to the passengers of flight 1549 and every American who travels. Every ounce of gratitude clearly goes to the pilot whose experience and good sense saved the lives of the over 150 passengers. I don't dare take away any of his heroism, but I do know that the Coast Guard and its many local, state, and federal partners prepare, train,

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-88974585946851043592009-01-11T10:18:00.000-08:002009-01-11T11:11:28.833-08:00

Today is my 15-year anniversary in the Coast Guard! I can hardly believe it. As I reflect on my career, I am so proud and honored to be a part of such a great organization. To think, I originally joined expecting to complete a four year enlistment and then return to Omaha and finish my degree. I would have never guessed that I would still be on active duty, have finished both an undergraduate

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-8521015410588477462008-12-18T07:02:00.000-08:002008-12-18T07:58:20.295-08:00

Recently, I have received a few e-mails from people wanting to know how they can become USCG Officers.One e-mail came from a very sweet young man who desperately wants two things in his life... his true love for a woman and to become a USCG Officer. A real Officer and a Gentleman story... The only problem is to be eligible for the USCG Academy, you cannot be married. The Academy has a very

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-42077371175713679442008-12-10T07:32:00.000-08:002008-12-10T07:41:42.698-08:00

I know it has been quite a while since I last wrote a post. I have been very busy working on my comprehensive finals for graduate school as well as enjoying the holiday season. Sorry, I promise to write soon and answer some of the great e-mails I have been receiving. I just wanted to let everyone know that Lauren (a guest blogger who applied for OCS) just found out she was accepted and will

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-4865270728109114952008-10-03T07:02:00.000-07:002008-10-03T07:06:35.365-07:00

So, just a few days ago, the USCG sent out a message standardizing the age limits for some commissioning programs. Many of the age limits have been raised. Click here to read the message.

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-10734081296525929072008-09-20T07:43:00.000-07:002008-09-20T08:45:41.508-07:00

The more I talk with people who are trying hard to get into the USCG, the more I appreciate my career. Besides offering probably the best job security in America, the military also provides several benefits to its members.My post on military pay talks about the salary and other allowances the military provides but there are many more benefits. Typically what comes to mind when we think of

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-23329749572637723712008-09-18T10:27:00.000-07:002008-09-18T11:06:28.709-07:00

I was recently selected as one of the eight UGA students to attend and participate in the 2008 UGA Connect Conference this Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20. This event, sponsored by Porter Novelli, brings together public relations professionals and educators to advance the application of social media in public relations.The eight students selected will conduct live coverage of the event

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-9902344768922355282008-09-11T12:13:00.000-07:002008-09-15T13:09:04.850-07:00

Over the past few weeks, I have gotten several e-mails (and even a phone call from my brother) about the age restrictions for joining the USCG. After conducting some research, it appears that the answer is not that simple. I can see why this is a frequent question. I found some insightful information but I offer this disclaimer: Anyone wanting to join the USCG should seek the counsel of a USCG

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-1875784606630917242008-09-05T18:30:00.000-07:002008-09-08T08:46:54.455-07:00

Over the past month, I have been exchanging e-mails with Lauren Swanson, a civilian applying for USCG Officer Candidate School (OCS), who found my blog during her research. She recently completed and submitted her application and is waiting to hear the board’s selections. I invited her to guest blog about the experience. This is what she has to say…From one hopeful Coastie to another, I know the

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-73227380249830297892008-08-11T08:42:00.000-07:002008-08-11T09:13:43.100-07:00

I continue to get wonderful e-mails from people who have questions about being in the Coast Guard. The latest e-mail came from a couple that wants to join the Coast Guard together and is concerned about collocation. Chapter 4 (Section A.8) of the Coast Guard Personnel Manual outlines some nitty-gritty details about married active duty members, but basically the service will try to keep joint

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-64647236799252898912008-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-05T08:09:59.591-07:00

Recently, more potential Coasties have reached out to me about joining the Coast Guard. One person in particular is about to leave to start Officer Candidate School (OCS) and asked for some advice. Although I don’t want to ruin any of the “fun” he is about to experience, I will share a few tricks that helped me get through the 17 weeks of training.Of course, the Coast Guard’s Leadership

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-28439140150101911582008-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:002008-07-08T08:28:59.140-07:00

It has been a while since my last post. I had not had much inspiration to blog over the past few months and had decided to just relax and wait for revived inspiration. Well, today I received an e-mail from a young man who wrote, "I enjoyed reading your blog; I am seriously considering joining the Coast Guard, and it has really helped my decision-making process to hear about CG life in folks'

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-30411551608243832722008-05-24T08:07:00.000-07:002008-05-24T08:46:46.068-07:00

As I have done before, I digress from the Coast Guard to talk about social media. Being in graduate school, I am doing a lot of research and writing papers. Lately, I am doing research on using social media ethically in public relations and have found some interesting information. This list is by no means all-inclusive but I wanted to boil it all down to some simple, usable guidelines. I

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-28197730974312988312008-05-17T08:52:00.000-07:002008-05-17T09:04:10.285-07:00

As I watch The Alaska Experiment on the Discovery Channel, I reflect back on when I was stationed at an isolated unit in Shoal Cove, Alaska. No, I was not left to my own devices to survive off the land, but it sure did feel like it to a 22 year old. I was at the peak of my legal prime, so to speak, and was eager to explore the boundaries of this great age. However, a LORAN station up in the

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-42040620247922288722008-05-03T06:25:00.000-07:002008-05-03T06:43:34.528-07:00

Sure, the military isn’t know for its substantial salary or lucrative bonus packages but I think it gets a far worse rap then it should. The standard military pay charts only show what they call “Basic Pay Rates”. That is base pay without considering all the additional pay and tax benefits like housing allowances (BAH), food allowance (BAS), additional income for dependents (i.e. wife/husband

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-39032911616913303652008-04-24T11:46:00.000-07:002008-04-24T20:30:16.165-07:00

Listen to this interview with LT Sue Kerver to find out about life on a Coast Guard cutter. She was stationed on the USCGC Steadfast out of Astoria, Oregon. She talks about life at sea and some of the incredible opportunities that came along with it.

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-572703993099432822008-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:002008-04-18T08:42:51.015-07:00

A few fellow Coasties have asked me what the yellow helicopter is in the picture at the top of my blog. They know it doesn't look like a U.S. Coast Guard helo since ours are usually orange or white. Well, they are right. It is a Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue aircraft.While I was stationed in Maine as the Sector Command Center Chief (although this is a description of Miami’

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-60382177477096765092008-04-12T11:14:00.000-07:002008-04-12T11:19:53.214-07:00

Speaking of the Coast Guard Channel’s videos about Coast Guard Bootcamp, this video shows a bit about my first job in the Coast Guard. I was assigned as a Physical Fitness Instructor for recruit training… I was like Scuba Steve in the video!

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-60210105192687455472008-04-07T12:52:00.000-07:002008-04-07T13:02:51.166-07:00

Thanks to another Coast Guard blogger who posted about the Coast Guard Channel. This is an inspirational site for us Coasties. Sure does make me proud. One of their latest productions, It’s Just Eight Weeks, details life in Coast Guard Bootcamp. These videos tell the story like no words can. Oh boy, the memories…. Here is the first video in a series of nine. Getting off that bus is exactly

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-42410071505072431142008-04-02T06:22:00.000-07:002008-04-02T06:26:02.650-07:00

No, not me (I wish), but a long time mentor and friend of mine. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am in the Coast Guard (heck, I probably wouldn’t even still be in the Coast Guard) if it wasn’t for him. His guidance and leadership early on in my career greatly changed my path in life. He saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself. He fostered my talent and motivation, showing

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-44660034965822242802008-03-29T10:24:00.000-07:002008-03-29T10:30:30.577-07:00

Well, okay, they call it the Coast Guard Journal but none-the-less its online commentary from members of the Coast Guard about rescues, news, and activities displayed in reverse chronological order. Sounds like a blog, right? The only thing its basically missing is the ability for people to leave comments and links for the various terms, equipment, and documents referenced in the posts.It is a

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-73455828175065037132008-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:002008-03-26T16:27:15.253-07:00

I digress from the Coast Guard for a moment to reflect on a hot topic right now in the world of communication - the use of social media to build relationships, hold conversations and foster interaction. As a communications graduate student at the University of Georgia where social media is actively being taught, I am beginning to understand and break ground in this vast topic.Social media (or

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-43832779455403119702008-03-22T06:22:00.000-07:002008-03-22T07:17:54.467-07:00

When most people think of the Coast Guard they think of search and rescue and swimmers jumping out of helicopters to rescue people in the water. Ever since the movie The Guardian came out, people have been asking me if the Coast Guard is really like the movie. Well, the movie is a fictional and dramatic Hollywood movie and is not based on a real event or person, but if you want to know if the

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-58233068267646473892008-03-11T07:04:00.000-07:002008-03-11T07:07:17.532-07:00

As a Coastie, I have gone through many “firsts” and “lasts”. Since I move around every couple of years, you would think I would be used to starting fresh and to saying goodbye. Saying goodbye has definitely gotten much easier but starting fresh has seemed to get harder. Starting fresh used to be really exciting and liberating. However, after the first five moves, the novelty wore off. Just as

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-84099649383019996092008-02-29T07:15:00.000-08:002008-02-29T07:41:49.869-08:00

One of my classes this semester is Public Relations Campaigns. Our campaign assignment was to plan and host the first Edelman Digital Bootcamp to provide students and educators hands-on skills and training about the professional use of new media. What a tall order and amazing challenge!With only 46 days to plan every detail of the event, the team of 13 students has been working hard. From

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-19659316587056264072008-02-27T06:41:00.000-08:002008-02-27T07:32:20.252-08:00

The first year of any new job is always a struggle, but joining the military was a particularly difficult adjustment. I would say it took me about three years to figure out how to be good at being in the military. Why? First, your boss is always changing. Transfers, promotions and reassignments are constantly restructuring the chain of command. Even though I would be in a job for a couple of

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-49040508202573077202008-02-20T09:07:00.000-08:002008-02-21T13:24:38.659-08:00

Initially, my Coast Guard career started with eight weeks of bootcamp as a Seaman Recruit. Seven years later, lucky (or unlucky) as I am, I was promoted to an Officer (the lucky part) and had to attend 17 weeks of training at Officer Candidate School (the unlucky part).These two training schools are often feared by the masses and produce great anxiety in most people. Let me tell you, they are not

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-11083559836503442512008-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:002008-02-13T19:05:19.920-08:00

The only job in the Coast Guard where it is acceptable to actually run into something with a boat is ice breaking. Ice breaking is one of the many missions of the U.S. Coast Guard but it often goes unnoticed to the average person. When I was stationed up in the Northeast, I had the privilege of taking a large group of reporters out on an ice breaking operation on the USCG Cutter Shackle (see

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-89270269149181534452008-02-05T16:03:00.000-08:002008-02-22T11:36:58.383-08:00

In the Coast Guard, you often get “stuck” living in beautiful coastal resort cities. I was lucky enough to get stuck in both Key West and Honolulu.I mean no puns when I say Key West is living Margaritaville and Honolulu is a constant honeymoon (even if you’re not married). In Key West, shredded jean shorts and a tank top (usually without the proper support if you know what I mean) is considered

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-78813776028602753062008-01-30T06:58:00.000-08:002008-02-22T11:39:09.970-08:00

As a Nebraskan girl, people often ask me how and why I joined the Coast Guard. The answer is easy, the recruiter was next door to my favorite restaurant and after a few too many cocktails, I thought joining the Coast Guard sounded like a great idea…Well, that’s not exactly how it went but close. No drinks were involved but the recruiter was right next door to my favorite restaurant. Every time I

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-50784598577336963182008-01-21T10:43:00.000-08:002008-01-22T16:04:59.943-08:00

Geez, it feels like such a small world sometimes. One thing I love about the Coast Guard is it feels like a large, extended family. Seems like everywhere I go, I run into people I know or have met before. For example, I just found out that I have three long lost friends just hours from in Savannah, GA. Come to find out, a person I worked with up in Maine was someone I had met 10 years ago

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-28794087807057452062008-01-18T08:24:00.001-08:002008-01-21T11:15:15.038-08:00

Why it is that I just started this blog? Well, as you continue to read my postings, you will find out that the Coast Guard is full of amazing opportunities and I am in the midst of one... a full scholarship to attend graduate school.The Coast Guard has many programs that offer advanced education with about 25 of those being the chance to attend graduate school. I was selected to attend the

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-89673763970653519312007-10-20T13:00:00.000-07:002007-10-20T13:02:09.299-07:00

I have been in the USCG for just about 14 years. Only 6 more to go and I am eligible for retirement! I will only be 39 years old... now that's a good deal. Not to mention all the fun and opportunities I have had.

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5198487359018330933.post-56680820656665068852007-10-20T12:51:00.000-07:002007-10-20T13:00:20.919-07:00

I have always wanted to share my Coast Guard experiences with others. Is there anything you want to know?

CBraeschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06877677202743881599noreply@blogger.com0