Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell returns from final deployment

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-returns-from-final-deployment/2015/12/18/#

"The Bridge" in the news

http://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-close-bridge-news-asylum/

Why ISIL Will Fail on Its Own - POLITICO Magazine

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/why-isil-will-fail-on-its-own
-213401

Highliners - A novel; highly recommended

This book, originally published in 1979, was recommended to me years (OK, decades) ago.  To my shame, I didn't read it until now.  To all that I attempted to explain Alaska fisheries, fishing towns (i.e. Kodiak and Dutch Harbor), and what/why exactly the U.S. Coast Guard was doing in  the fisheries mission, especially back in the mid-80's when I first experienced this, I apologize.  This novel captures the essence of this corner of the world, in this significant corner of that industry. 

Although the period covered in the book ends prior to my first exposure, the descriptions of all aspects are true to what I encountered.  The novel also sets the stage well for an industry that has evolved significantly in the past 30-plus years.  The author, William B. McCloskey, Jr., has published other works in a series that I look forward to reading as well.  Of note, in the introduction to Highliners, he thanks many, amongst them several Coast Guard cutters, including the BOUTWELL.

The "underwear gnomes" reference...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnomes_(South_Park)

or

http://southpark.wikia.com/wiki/Underpants_Gnomes

Great pop culture reference

All who know me understand that the last thing I want to take up in a blog
discussion is anything concerning political chances/viability of anyone, in
any party. I include this link ONLY because of this reference. Good for
Ezra Klein...pull quote:

"Ezra Klein

A lot of pundits - and I include myself in this group - have a sort of
Underpants Gnomes theory of Marco Rubio's chances. Step one is Rubio is the
only acceptable nominee to Republican elites. Step two is ... something. And
step three is Rubio wins the nomination."

The link:

http://www.vox.com/2015/11/25/9800174/why-one-political-scientist-thinks-don
ald-trump-might-actually-win

Inside the Secret World of Russia's Cold War Mapmakers | WIRED

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/secret-cold-war-maps/

Remote Rescue and Evacuation Scenarios - South Atlantic Edition

https://gcaptain.com/hundreds-evacuated-from-luxury-cruise-ship-after-engine
-room-fire/

Millennial Stereotyping Is Hurting Corporate America - Forbes

No surprise that I concur with theme in this piece as I have seen a similar
effect in the military context as well, and it (rightly) offends those being
stereotyped. I know not all share my perspective.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/oracle/2015/09/03/millennial-stereotyping-is-hur
ting-corporate-america/

In signal to China, Obama to give 2 ships to Philippines - Yahoo News

http://news.yahoo.com/signal-china-obama-2-ships-philippines-094949329.html

You Learn Something Every Day

I did not know that this had evolved into a piece of public art.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_Tender%27s_House

The First of a "New" Fleet

An item from 2011 on the first Hamilton Class Cutter that transferred to the
Philippine Navy' note that the crew actually spent some time aboard BOUTWELL
during their preparations.

http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/3697-navy-s-fastest-ship-brp-gregorio-del-p
ilar

Does a Lighthouse Sovereignty Make?

https://gcaptain.com/china-argues-light-makes-right-with-south-china-sea-bea
cons

What Cities Look Like When Your Brain Does the Mapping Without GPS - CityLab

http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/11/maps-made-from-the-mind-not-from-gps/4
15128/

Why Obama Won’t Challenge Burma’s ‘Lady’ - POLITICO Magazine

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/why-obama-wont-get-tough-with
-burmas-lady-213335

The Suburb That Tried To Kill the Car

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/10/evanston-illinois-what-works-
213282

Why Computer Programmers Should Stop Calling Themselves Engineers - The Atlantic

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/11/programmers-should-not
-call-themselves-engineers/414271/

Why the US Navy’s first South China Sea FONOP wasn’t a FONOP

http://cimsec.org/why-the-us-navys-first-south-china-sea-fonop-wasnt-a-fonop/19681

Some good contextualizing of empathy

http://www.humantransit.org/2015/10/weekend-ramble-empathizing-with-the-fear-of-urbanism.html

Fast Boat, Tiny Flag: Government’s High-Flying Rationale for a Drug Seizure - NYTimes.com

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/10/29/nyregion/fast-boat-tiny-flag-governments-high-flying-rationale-for-a-drug-seizure.html?referer&_r=0

USCGC BOUTWELL Recognized by US Interdiction Coordinator

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2619738/

Additional photos here

Martian Law: Is Mark Watney Really a Space Pirate?

http://tracking.feedpress.it/link/10522/1941139

Is U.S. Intelligence Analysis as Good as It Gets?

http://warontherocks.com/2015/10/is-u-s-intelligence-analysis-as-good-as-it-gets/

Coast Guard completes Arctic Shield 2015

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-completes-arctic-shield-2015/2015/10/20/

Spare Capacity is Inherently Inefficient - and That's OK

Red Tape in the Morning, Staff Officer's Warning

http://kingsofwar.org.uk/2015/10/red-tape-in-the-morning-staff-officers-warning/

After Decades of Service, USCGC Boutwell Makes Final Fleet Week Cruise | Military.com

http://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/10/after-decades-of-service-uscgc-boutwell-makes-final-fleet-week.html

Sal's Take on Russia in Syria

A good hype-removed assessment

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2015/10/russia-does-exactly-what-you-would-do.html

Out of the fog: Rescuers, survivors reunite for 35th anniversary of Prinsendam rescue

http://northwest.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/10/07/out-of-the-fog-rescuers-survivors-reunite-for-35th-anniversary-of-prinsendam-rescue-2/

Well, That Changes Things...

http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/73899/arctic-drilling-battle-halts-abruptly
-shell-comes-up-dry

Kodiak reaps benefits of renewable energy, with lessons for rural Alaska

http://www.adn.com/article/20150926/kodiak-reaps-benefits-renewable-energy-lessons-rural-alaska

Some handy shiphandling tips

Nothing earth shattering (nor claiming to be), but useful from a different voice

http://justagirlindaworld.blogspot.com/2015/09/shiphandling-101.html

SF Fleet Week Ship Lineup

Lookee there, USCGC BOUTWELL is on the list!

https://m.facebook.com/events/1497309147251537/?refid=13

PRINSENDAM Rescue 35the Anniversary

http://maritimematters.com/2015/09/prinsendam-35th-anniversary-rescue-reunion/

Interesting and tough questions about "bleeding talent" discussions

http://www.askskipper.com/2015/09/21/talent-flight-real-or-just-a-myth-guest-post-lcdr-joseph-jindrich/

Video Montage Aboard USCGC Boutwell During Alaska Patrol to Pump Up Your Thursday

http://gcaptain.com/video-montage-aboard-uscgc-boutwell-during-alaskan-patrol-to-pump-up-your-thursday/

Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell returns from 75-day Alaska patrol

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-returns-from-75-day-alaska-patrol/2015/09/15/

Why Territorial Sea Distinctions (and behavior) Matter

http://amti.csis.org/the-legal-rationale-for-going-inside-12/

The Initial Round of "Why in the Bering Sea" Has Begun

My armchair assessment is a similar one: Because operating near US home waters (don't scoff, Alaska is a state) near the Aleutian Islands is the best available allegory, from the Chinese perspective, for US forces operating inside the first island chain. In other words, they are demonstrating that they can.

Now the question is what does that mean for the US? Particularly for those US forces that pay the most frequent visits to these remote pieces of US sovereign territory, the US Coast Guard?

http://blog.usni.org/2015/09/08/the-rise-of-chinas-navy

Timing is Everything - "Please Buy me an Icebreaker" edition

http://www.workboat.com/news-feed/2015/historic-north-pole-arrival-for-coast-guard-icebreaker

Putin's Strategy is Far Better than You Think - War on the Rocks

http://warontherocks.com/2015/09/putin-is-a-far-better-strategist-than-you-think/

Ship Photos of the Day - Shell's Arctic Fleet - gCaptain

Although all of these vessels are now at or near the Shell drilling site in the Chukchi Sea, these photos all appear to have been taken in Dutch Harbor.

http://gcaptain.com/ship-photos-of-the-day-shells-arctic-fleet/

Oh yeah, I heard about that place!

https://medium.com/@maxchanowitz/new-bar-in-town-d3397e0a3035

In Alaska, Obama becomes 1st president to enter the Arctic | KOTZEBUE, Alaska:

http://www.sunherald.com/2015/09/02/6394016/obama-visit-puts-spotlight-on.html

A Great Example of an ad hoc Situation Report/Assessment

Set aside political perspectives one-way or another. This just released e-mail from Chelsea Clinton to the Secretary of State about conditions that she found on the ground in post-earthquake Haiti is a good example of how to articulate seemingly utter chaos, provide recommendations, and pointedly note obvious failures and successes.

It is worth a read.

https://foia.state.gov/searchapp/DOCUMENTS/HRCEmail_August_Web/IPS-0120/DOC_0C05774208/C05774208.pdf

When Mexicans crossed our border to feed Americans in need - The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-mexicans-crossed-our-border-to-feed-our-hungry/2015/08/28/347342e4-4cee-11e5-84df-923b3ef1a64b_story.html

You Really Don’t Need To Work So Much - The New Yorker

http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/you-really-dont-need-to-work-so-much

Why are you not watching ‘Jupiter Ascending’ right now? - The most awesome movie review (?) ever

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/03/05/why-are-you-not-watching-jupiter-ascending-right-now/

A Great Profile of a Genuinely Funny Person (with a great pull quote)

http://www.gq.com/story/stephen-colbert-gq-cover-story

The quote:

And then he talked about the Food Network show Chopped. The reason he loves Chopped is that it's a show that is wholly about process, about creation within a limited range of possibilities. "This show," he said, meaning The Late Show, "is Chopped. Late-night shows are Chopped. Who are your guests tonight? Your guests tonight are veal tongue, coffee grounds, and gummy bears. There, make a show.... Make an appetizer that appeals to millions of people. That's what I like. How could you possibly do it? Oh, you bring in your own flavors. Your own house band is another flavor. You have your own flavor. The audience itself is a base dish, like a rice pilaf or something. And then together it's 'Oh shit, that's an actual meal.' And that's what every day is like at one of these shows. Something is one thing in the morning, and then by the end of the day it's a totally different thing. It's all process."

California's Intercity Passenger Rail Program - Regional Rail Ambitions and Current State

This brochure provides a convenient look at some significant US passenger rail service BEYOND the Northeast Corridor.

https://www.acerail.com/About/Regional-Governance-for-San-Joaquin-Rail-Service/CA-IPR-Brochure-April-2015.pdf

It is Somehow Appropriate that I am Linking to this Post

http://warontherocks.com/2015/08/harnessing-social-media-for-military-power/

A Geopolitical Marketplace?

I have no idea how this works or where exactly the idea takes us, but neither does the author. It opens up an interesting line of thinking though, and does reinforce the point that not all parties to a transaction, negotiation, etc (at anywhere from the interpersonal to the international level) have the same interests nor priorities. Always an important point, yet often forgotten.

https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/moving-toward-geopolitical-marketplace

Wait, it wasn't all roses and sunshine?

A reality check on the Cold War era

http://warontherocks.com/2015/08/twilight-struggle-the-cold-war-was-not-stable-or-simple/

The U.S. Coast Guard Just Offloaded Over $1 Billion of Cocaine Seized in Pacific Ocean - gCaptain

http://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-record-119000-pounds-of-cocaine-seized-in-last-10-months-alone/

Is ‘Do What You Love’ Actually a Good Message (from the employee's perspective)?

An Art Historian analyzes contemporary marketing mythology...

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/08/do-what-you-love-work-myth-culture/399599/

How China Learned to use Their Coast Guard as an Instrument of National Power

https://www.cna.org/cna_files/pdf/Creation-China-Coast-Guard.pdf

Urban Innovation Labs

https://nextcity.org/features/view/urban-design-lab-mexico-city-civic-engagement-innovation

An Interesting Series

http://www.wandakoop.com/studio/seeway.htm

h/t LD

From the Government and Here to Help

http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6f1977de9eff4c384dc8d6527&id=a59b095cf0&e=d57c427f96

18F is a GSA-sponsored effort that has been getting good reviews. By bringing those with coding and other skills together and creating what seems to be almost an entrepreneurial lab development environment, this effort is bearing fruit on the margins (where most gains are made), by finding ways to improve the small, but numerous daily interactions many of us have with various levels of government. They are looking for ideas...

18F main site:

https://18f.gsa.gov/

The Secret to Saving Cities During Earthquakes Could Be What’s Underneath Our Buildings – Next City

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/earthquake-protection-test-viba

Asian Coast Guard's on the Front line

http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21659771-asian-coastguards-are-front-line-struggle-check-china-small-reefs-big-problems

Naval Buildups in the South China Sea | The Diplomat

http://thediplomat.com/2015/07/naval-buildups-in-the-south-china-sea/

If the Moon were one pixel in size

http://flowingdata.com/2015/07/14/if-the-moon-were-one-pixel-in-size/

USCGC BOUTWELL Star of Stage and Screen

At long last, the "Drug Wars" Season Two has premiered on Fusion TV; the USCG portions of this were primarily filmed during USCGC BOUTWELL's summer 2014 deployment. If not available on your cable provider, here is a link:

http://fusion.net/video/165006/drug-wars-season-2-episode-1-watch-the-full-episode/

Some perspective

Stepping back and appreciating has value

http://iambeggingmymothernottoreadthisblog.com/2015/07/11/radiating-joy/

Fun With the GAO

GAO areas of focus and interest telegraph (sometimes very directly) the areas of focus of Congress. They also can provide agencies with perspectives on ongoing projects, as well as warnings of where one may be going astray. Of course, GAO reports after the "bad" happens often shine a light on bureaucratic decisions and processes that are embarrassing or worse.

Recent reports on some topics of (eclectic) interest:

3D Printing: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Implications of Additive Manufacturing
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-505SP

DoD Arctic Planning
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-566

Preliminary Observations on Air Force A-10 Divestment
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-698R

Changes in Electricity Generation and Consumption patterns
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-524

Great American Stations Project

Great write-ups on many stations around the US, plus helpful tips if you want to begin your own restoration project. Hmmm...

http://www.greatamericanstations.com/

"Has the U.S. Navy become the Haight-Ashbury of sea power? In a way."

A good read (to which those of us with our own experiences with the pendulum of spare parts carriage can relate), but the lead analogy is worth the time.

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/littoral-combat-vessel-the-us-navys-great-relearning-13262

New Feature

I have added a link to Google-mapped travel recommendations on the blog sidebar. These are all places that I have been; in the case of establishment (rather than sights), I have included a date to allow assessment as to the "freshness" of my experience. All of the usual caveats apply: no guarantees, no endorsement/compensation for me, etc. These are all simply places that have left a positive impression and, if you asked me for ideas/recommendations for a given area, these are the kinds of places I would provide. Enjoy!

Direct link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zpvuzqB3tuiA.kfx2NkbTcamA&usp=sharing

The Problem With the Innovation Gap

A good discussion of the perils, from a Navy perspective (but applicable to
USCG as well), of turning a trait to be encouraged (small "i") into a
program (large "I").

I especially like the three things to consider and focus on. There are
deckplate, unit leadership, and organizational aspects to this.

http://blog.usni.org/2015/06/18/the-problem-with-the-innovation-gap

America’s Diplomatic Crisis

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/americas-diplomatic-crisis/

The Case for an Unprincipled Foreign Policy by Musa al-Gharbi | Wilson Quarterly

http://wilsonquarterly.com/stories/case-for-unprincipled-foreign-policy/

Opinion: The Forgotten Fleet of The U.S. Coast Guard - USNI News

#USNI editorial #CGCBOUTWELL cited example of #USCG for 2009 #TF151
deployment.
http://news.usni.org/2015/06/08/opinion-the-forgotten-fleet-of-the-u-s-coast-guard




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Accounting for Inertia in Geopolitical Forecasting | Stratfor

https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/accounting-inertia-geopolitical-forecasting

You don't know Lefsetz?

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2015/05/you-dont-know-lefsetz.html




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Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: Extreme Makeover, the Chinese Coast Guard Edition

http://blog.usni.org/2015/05/14/never-let-a-crisis-go-to-waste-extreme-makeover-the-chinese-coast-guard-edition




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The quick fix

http://seanheritage.com/blog/band-aids/

The Navy's Grade 36 Bureaucrat: How Darth Vader's Leadership Can Solve The Navy's Bureaucracy Problems

http://navygrade36bureaucrat.blogspot.it/2015/05/how-darth-vaders-leadership-can-solve.html?m=1

Film the Police - The Atlantic

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/05/film-the-police/392483/?google_editors_picks=true

Coast Guard Cutter Rush transferred to Bangladesh Navy

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-cutter-rush-transferred-rush-to-bangladesh-navy/2015/05/07/




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Rail in Washington, DC

http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2015/05/rail-washington-dc




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Having a bit of experience wandering...

Not advocating for always traveling alone, just noting how to benefit from the experience...

I found the section on where the mind and soul goes given solo time accurate (and I concur with its necessity from time-to-time). I do NOT concur with hostels, however (but, if you know me, that's not surprising).

https://medium.com/@alexschiff/how-and-why-to-travel-alone-595e980714e6?source=reading-list

UK Arrests Drug Smuggling Tug in the North Sea [feedly]

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), with support from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and Border Force cutter Valiant, intercepted an ocean-going tug in the North Sea last week and made a “potentially significant seizure of illegal drugs,” according to John McGowan from the NCA.

“The exact amount of cocaine on board is yet to be determined and the search is likely to continue for some time,” said McGowan.

Image: UK NCA

The MV Hamal and it’s crew of nine men was intercepted about 100 miles east of Aberdeenshire on Thursday, 23 April as a result of close cooperation with the French Customs Service DNRED and in coordination with the UK’s National Maritime Information Centre (NMIC) plus the Maritime Analysis and Operational Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.

The post UK Arrests Drug Smuggling Tug in the North Sea appeared first on gCaptain Maritime & Offshore News.

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Another considered investment

NYK sets up Myanmar JV for car transport
// Fairplay Daily News

Japan's second-biggest shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) with its partners Silverbird Auto Logistics and Phee Group, has established a joint venture (JV) for car transportation in Myanmar.

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Not an investment made lightly

Hapag-Lloyd Orders New Ships for South American Trade Routes
// gCaptain.com

Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fourth largest container shipping company following its merger with CSAV, says it has ordered five new containerships to be deployed on South American routes.

The five ships will have a capacity of 10,500 TEU each and have been ordered from the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. The ships are to be built at the yard in Samho, South Korea.

Hapag-Lloyd says the new ships will have 2,100 reefers plugs, making them particularly suited for transporting perishable goods such as fruit, vegetables, meat, fish or pharmaceutical products. In addition, they are equipped with a highly efficient main engine, an optimized hull shape and an innovative lashing and loading system for greater loading flexibility.

Hapag-LLoyd says the ships will be deployed primarily on South American trade routes to coincide with expanded Panama Canal.

“This order for five vessels underlines Hapag-Lloyd’s leading role in the Latin American trade. Following our successful merger with CSAV, we are one of the market leaders in this attractive trade and offer our customers a variety of excellent connections to and from South America,” said Anthony J. Firmin, Chief Operating Officer at Hapag-Lloyd.

The ships are scheduled for delivery between October 2016 and May 2017.

The post Hapag-Lloyd Orders New Ships for South American Trade Routes appeared first on gCaptain Maritime & Offshore News.

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In the zone: $1.1 billion seized, 144 suspected smugglers apprehended « Coast Guard Compass

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/04/in-the-zone-1-1-billion-seized-144-suspected-smugglers-apprehended/




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Human Transit: San Francisco: A world-class transit map unveiled

High praise that the cartographically inclined will particularly appreciate. Good job Muni (er...SFMTA)!

http://www.humantransit.org/2015/04/san-francisco-world-class-transit-map-unveiled.html

A Step Back from Losing Leave

We have all seen it, the folks who pride themselves on the leave that they aren't taking. Although there are some challenges in implementation (aren't there always?), a mandatory minimum (or at least "a you will take X days this year so you don't lose any next year") is something that I used to track for my folks, but somehow lost sight of. A good thing to return to...and don't forget leading by example.

http://www.paperplanes.de/2014/12/10/from-open-to-minimum-vacation-policy.html

Distributed Maritime Operations: Back to the Future?

http://warontherocks.com/2015/04/distributed-maritime-operations-an-emerging-paradigm/?singlepage=1

Mapping the derelict lines of the Bay Area | The Greater Marin

https://thegreatermarin.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/mapping-the-derelict-lines-of-the-bay-area/

A Funny Thing Happened When These Military Officers and Academics Got Together - Defense One

http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2015/04/funny-thing-happened-when-these-military-officers-and-academics-got-together/109303/?oref=d_brief_nl

How to Make Hospital Tech Much, Much Safer — Backchannel — Medium

Final in a five part series. This post captures the lessons and thoughts well, the rest of the series is interesting, if you have time. Although medically-focused, the series is really about how to manage risk in a mixed human/technology environment. It gets at organizational culture, hierarchical decision models, trusting intuition, etc.

https://medium.com/backchannel/how-to-make-hospital-tech-much-much-safer-c81dac43684a?source=reading-list

In the Zone: Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell – a recipe for success « Coast Guard Compass

When I dropped off the radar for a while a few weeks back...

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2486694/

U.S. and Canadian navies, U.S. Coast Guard join forces to stop tons of cocaine in Eastern Pacific

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2486694/#

Ah, Bodo (featured prominently in this story)

Yes, I have been in the command bunker/tunnel

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/world/europe/a-newly-assertive-russia-jolts-norways-air-defenses-into-action.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=%2ASituation%20Report&utm_campaign=Sit%20Rep%20April%202%202015

Google takes over aging Moffett Field and its airship hangars - San Jose Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27823009/google-takes-over-aging-moffett-field-and-its

In the Zone: Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell – a recipe for success « Coast Guard Compass

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/04/in-the-zone-coast-guard-cutter-boutwell-a-recipe-for-success/

All of us who serve know the type...

This note captures it well.

http://taskandpurpose.com/stop-promoting-adults-who-behave-like-children-through-the-ranks/

LA Times - Myanmar, rebels agree on cease-fire text

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83179627/

In the Zone: U.S. military, partner nations test capabilities in Eastern Pacific « Coast Guard Compass

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/03/in-the-zone-u-s-military-partner-nations-test-capabilities-in-eastern-pacific/#

A familiar concept buried in some interesting work

"build-measure-learn"; bottom of page five.

In all of one's spare time...this is a pretty interesting/exciting collection discussing how tech can enhance the role of citizenry in governance, etc.

http://nextcity.org/features/collection/technology-cities-civic-tech


* The reference is to Rear Admiral (USN ret>) Wayne E Meyer, "build a little, test a little, learn a lot". See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_E._Meyer

Introduction to the Grand Challenges for Engineering - Engineering Challenges

The global to-do list for the STEM-inclined

http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9221.aspx

Increasing your margin

https://medium.com/@mariepoulin/the-big-mistake-nearly-every-designer-makes-aff96b43172c?source=reading-list

When Gentrification’s Neighborhood Name Game Runs Into True Identity – Next City

http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/new-neighborhood-name-gentrification

Measure the Shade — Beyond the Objective — Medium

The parable of the Oak is particularly useful

https://medium.com/the-smoking-gun/measure-the-shade-74cba4b982fd

33 years of progress

The quaintness of word processing in 1982

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/07/living-with-a-computer/306063/?single_page=true

Zooniverse - Real Science Online

An interesting and broad collection of crowd-sourcing efforts. Just for fun, I am looking at the oldweather.org effort

https://www.zooniverse.org/

Hipsters Have Tiny Feet, Bikers Have Smelly Beards

A great essay on clichés:

https://medium.com/@sandersonc/hipsters-have-small-feet-bikers-have-smelly-beards-9a2b06d32ac6?source=reading-list

On Behalf of “Literally”

https://medium.com/@ckirchoff/on-behalf-of-literally-429fab868ca8?source=reading-list

Map: Whatever you do, don’t get sick in these countries - The Washington Post

You know who you are...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/02/20/map-whatever-you-do-dont-get-sick-in-these-countries/?tid=pm_world_pop

All sorts of fun with maps and GIS

https://medium.com/re-form/say-i-love-you-with-mapping-a386df308d78?source=reading-list

Berlin Subway Station Signage

A very cool project

https://medium.com/@ramz/berlin-subway-station-signage-1a1acbf2bd66?source=reading-list

MeetWays - Meet in the Middle - Find a point of interest between two addresses

http://www.meetways.com/

These apply to any Joint Assignment

http://taskandpurpose.com/12-tips-surviving-pentagon-post/

Coast Guard buoy deck supervisor:

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-buoy-deck-supervisor-bds-small-title-large-responsibility/2015/02/06/

My First Ship...

R 041508Z FEB 15
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-DCO//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N04500//
ALCOAST 040/15
COMDTNOTE 4500
SUBJ: USCGC RUSH (WHEC 723) 45 YEARS OF SERVICE
1. On 03 Feb 2015, after 45 years of faithful service to our nation,
CGC RUSH transitioned into commission special status. Throughout her
service, CGC RUSH embodied her motto, Kai I Kai No Ka Oi: the best in
the Coast Guard.
2. Named in honor of Secretary Richard Rush, who served as Secretary
of the Treasury under President John Quincy Adams, WHEC 723 was the
ninth ship in the Hamilton Class cutter fleet. CGC RUSH was launched
from Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana on 18 Nov 1968, and was
commissioned on 03 Jul 1969 at Alameda, CA. CGC RUSH shifted
homeport to Honolulu, HI on 08 Nov 1991 where she finished her
distinctive career.
3. CGC RUSH leaves a long proud legacy of honorable service to
country. In the early 1970s, CGC RUSH saw action in Vietnam and was
part of a U.S. Naval Task Force that captured a North Vietnamese
trawler that was supplying weapons to the enemy. In 2001, while
conducting operations off the coast of Mexico, RUSH confiscated more
than 4.6 tons of cocaine worth an estimated 150 million dollars. In
2006, CGC RUSH executed a North Pacific Guard Patrol. During this
patrol, CGC RUSH made a historic portcall to mainland China, the
first for any major Coast Guard cutter since World War II. Also in
2006, CGC RUSH earned a Coast Guard Unit Commendation for the quick
response to the M/V COUGAR ACE. The COUGAR ACE lost stability 250NM
off Adak, Alaska and began listing 60 degrees to port. RUSH arrived
and rescued all 23 crewmembers.
4. During this last year of service, CGC RUSH conducted fisheries
patrols in four U.S. EEZ areas, three foreign EEZs in support of
foreign allies, and five high sea areas under the authority of the
western and central Pacific Fisheries Commission. CGC RUSH fostered
key international relationships representing D14 during the
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program meeting in
Apia Samoa. The cutter was visited by the Attorney General of Palau
and hosted the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall
Islands during an overnight voyage from Majuro to Kwajalein.
5. To current and past CGC RUSH crews, plank owners, shellbacks
(Golden, Emerald, Horned, or otherwise), subjects of the Golden
Dragon, Blue Noses, and even Pollywogs: Congratulations and Bravo
Zulu.
6. RADM Vincent B. Atkins, Acting Deputy Commandant for Operations,
sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.
BT
NNNN

The Subtle Brilliance of Groundhog Day

https://medium.com/@remiray/the-subtle-brilliance-of-groundhog-day-a98da19a7232

The #Profession Series at The Bridge

An enlightening and enriching discussion of the profession of arms and the ethical requirements of being a professional. Although many of the perspectives come from our land-centric colleagues, the discussion and considerations apply to all of us who serve. For those of us serving in the Coast Guard, the considerations are that much more complex as we have shifting roles (sometimes within a matter of minutes) as rescuer, enforcer, regulator, as well as the potential and authority to take sanctioned violent action on behalf of our nation, should it be necessary. These issues are best considered in advance of the heat of the moment, when reflection and consideration are best performed.

https://medium.com/the-bridge/confessions-of-a-struggling-professional-f25d4c3952a3

Excellent piece on some key elements of leadership: self-awareness and respect for all

https://medium.com/the-bridge/the-gun-doctor-professional-military-character-4fd72831cbdb

PRODEV - worth reading

https://medium.com/@clareoneill/owning-your-professional-military-development-junior-officers-412043c875f0

I've discussed the USA airport train problem before...

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/planes-trains-and-taxis-when-to-take-public-transit-from-the-airport/

BOUTWELL Mentioned...

Coast Guard Commandant emphasizes Western Hemisphere priorities http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-commandant-emphasizes-western-hemisphere-priorities/2015/01/16/

If the f-bomb offends you, skip this one...

http://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck

 

Polar Shipping: A 2014 Recap

http://cimsec.org/polar-shipping-2014-recap/14248

USN Amphibs...USCG Cutters - similar issues and types of impacts?

Unbreaking Amphibious Ship Readiness http://cimsec.org/unbreaking-amphibious-ship-readiness/14210




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