I went through Cape May in 1993, Q142
USCGC Ironwood out of Kodiak. 180 footer. Best learning experience of my life. Ops Area was Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
Finished up at Support Center Seattle. Boring duty after being on a 180!
Never intended to be a lifer, glad I did it when I did. Best experience of my life.
Cape May March '72 F85, RTC ENA8-73 June '72, RTC Sept '72 CGC Courier(decom) caretaker crew, RTC Wormley Creek Feb '73, Mutual to Base Chasn June '74, inactive reserve Jan '76.
I tried a mutual to the Papaw in early '74 but it failed.
As you, I can vouch for the excellent training and learning experience, I always got in line for a school of some kind. Outboard C, Hale P-250, Boarding Officer (D8), Mercruiser Factory School. I learned to dive at Wormley Creek and also small boat handling (I would practice every day during lunch). I got a Captains License in 1985 while working on fire trucks which are really just inside out boats. Looking for a boat to captain was always an easy affair, I had managment skills, marine diesel, welding, diving....A man of many hats. USCG been very very good to me!