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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
CPO Chip Hoynes U.S. Coast Guard (Ret) (1986-2007)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?
Recruiters for the other services were ether unprofessional, or pompous. The Coast Guard missions of ELT and SAR really appealed to me. In any given year, the U.S. Coast Guard, the nation's smallest military service, saves an average of 5,500 lives. But in the first few weeks after Hurricane Katrina's
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| Young Recruit |
landfall, it was credited with saving more than 33,000 lives. And the organization didn't stop there. In the following months, it continued to deploy personnel and assets along the Gulf Coast to evacuate citizens, restore ports and waterways, respond to pollution, and provide security and law enforcement protection. With less than 40,000 active-duty personnel (fewer than the New York City Police Department), the Coast Guard performs a dozen critical missions across 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline, 25,000 miles of inland waterways, and in many places around the world. It operates on an annual budget that amounts to less than 2 percent of the overall defense budget (less than the cost of one new aircraft carrier).
So how does the Coast Guard do so much, so efficiently, with so few people and so little money? The answer is simple and cultural. The foundation is commitment to leadership development. All personnel, from the youngest recruit to the senior-most admiral, are immersed in the culture of leadership and expected to practice it on a daily basis. This approach is affirmed by the success and efficiency of the Coast Guard. It is the values-based leadership culture that explains how the organization can be agile enough to shift its focus during a major natural disaster. It clarifies how the Coast Guard was able to save 33,000 lives while other response organizations were waiting for someone to lead?
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
My main focus was to be the best Quartermaster in the Coast Guard. I struck QM on a patrol boat, went into LE, then 4 more cutters to lock my skills down. From there I went to NAVCEN to learn radio navigation, then to Cape May to give back to the Coast Guard by serving as Company Commander. After that, the only thing left was SAR Controller, and served in 3 OPCEN/CMDCEN's.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Law Enforcement in South America and the Caribbean were very tenuous and scary at times. I was able with the team I was on, to bring many evil men to justice. I was deployed for Coast Guard Operations for Hurricane Katrina, and I can personally attest to ADM Loys facts that
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| Law Enforcement |
our organization lead from the front, by example. And the ones who deserved the most recognition were the 20 somethings in uniform. For it was not us Chiefs, the Captains or Commanders, nor the Admirals, out there effecting all these rescues, in the most arduous of circumstances, getting shot at while trying to rescue (although a few of us snuck ;-) . No, it was the Seamen, Firemen, Third and Second class Petty Officers in those boats, on their own, with little to no guidance or support.
It was young Junior Officers, again, in their 20s, piloting those helicopters, with 20 somethings going down the wire to pull people to safety or deliver much needed food and water, Junior Officers in lock step and in leading their crews on Law Enforcement Detachments, Marine Safety and Security Teams, Station, Marine Safety Detachments, and District officers, Petty Officers in the water, or bringing the Search and Rescue crews supplies, delivering RVs, keeping Communications Guard, watching the processes at the Command Post, or planning the Search and Rescue cases. It is you, the early career men and women, trying to decide whether to make the Coast Guard a career, that effected the biggest rescue operation the United States has ever seen.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My first, CGC Mustang. We commissioned it and became a very tight crew. The LEDET was also tight as we depended on each other during a very wild time in the Coast Guard as it came to grips with what the Drug War really was all about. We had very little supervision and really had to look to each other for support. Being Company Commander was also a pressure cooker causing all of us to meld into a cohesive and effective group of trainers. Last, the Chief's Mess in Cape May was one of the best I've ever been a member of.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
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| Our children embracing our Legacy |
As a struggling Quatermaster stiker, I was on the bridge breaking in as JOOD on my first unit - CGC Mustang. We were in the Alaska Inside Passage, and had a full bridge at Special Sea Detail on 2 minute fixes. The skipper, then LT Kip Louttit, cleared the bridge and assumed OOD. He then plopped down in the Helmsmans Chair and told me "Chip, your in charge now. Don't hit anything, because I'll get in lots of trouble! Then, much to my horror, with a gleam in his eye he reached over and pushed the throttles ALL the way forward, increasing us to full speed at over 30 knots! As he noticed my face grow white, he said "Chip, I'm just a helmsman right now. See that buff stuff on the chart, DON'T HIT THAT! It's that simple!" I quickly learned how to manage my navigation skills and react well to pressure. I attribute a very successful career as a ship driver to that man.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER? IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS OR QUALIFICATION BADGES FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT OR VALOR, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED.
I received many awards and medals, but bringing survivors home to their loved ones, and shielding those who serve and watching them achieve their goals eclipses all of them.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
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| My Son stepping up. |
The Cutterman's Pin is my most prized possession, followed by my Company Commander Pin. People have asked what the scariest thing was that I ever did while in the Coast Guard. It wasn't the storms, with 30 foot seas, underway off Cape Henry during the Perfect Storm, conducting felony arrest of drug smugglers after high speed boat chases, jumping on sinking vessels in high seas only to find out our well maintained dewatering pump wouldn't start. No, the scariest thing I've done is putting in my retirement letter. Mailing that single page of correspondence took more courage than I ever needed doing anything else during my career. The Coast Guard has provided Meg, Christina, Laura, Michael, and yes, our dog Dubya and I with a secure and adventurous life. Even as we look forward to our new life, we know we will miss it. We are grateful for the past 21 years.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
CAPT James Kippling Louttit (ret) was probably the most influential on my career. Mostly due to the fact that he was my first skipper, took an interest in my career all these years, and taught me to not only think out of the box, but to push the limits and
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| Many people influenced my life. |
trust my instincts. QMC Scott Backholm and my sponsor BMC Jeff Chase, who taught me how to be a Chief, even when it was unpopular and backed me to the hilt. HSC Randi Ward, who taught me to believe in myself. BMC Andy Fabbo, who taught me EVERYTHING!, and his wife, BMC Lynn Fabbo, who actually believed in me and kept me humble ;-) Last, BMC Larry Sinkus, who stood by my side through it all, even when standing with me made him an enemy of an ineffective Chiefs Mess run ram-shod by a few of his brother BM's. The idiots eventually fell, and common sense and calmer heads prevailed. (I also have to add they are lucky that Andy Fabbo wasn't there yet, as I'm sure between Larry and he there would have been some heavily beat @$$'s ;-)
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Bribing my Judge, TCC Bob Clements, with a bottle of Southern Comfort. As he was also from Georgia, as soon as the peanut gallery lit into me for being from the South, he took after them. All the 'buttrixing' was deflected off of me and they may have actually have
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| Looking Up |
been fined more than I got, ;-) Dressing up as an "Office Specialist" at CCTI with EVERY office accouterments known to man hanging off of me. Seeing my QM1 and CWO from the Salvia in an alley off of Duvall Street, Key West, wearing stolen viking helmets and singing dirges (we DIDN'T ask) contributing greatly to the rumors of 'Viking Liberty'.
Watching CAPT Richard Allen McCullough (the last Ancient Mariner) treat @$$ kissing officers of the CO with jaded contempt ;-) TCC Dominick Bulone ruling the recruits like Moses with his staff (please don't revert me to the MAN WITH THE STICK!") BM2 Lynn Kulinec and BM2 Bee Perry stealing my companies guidon and YN bag, and stringing it up from the 3rd deck of Healy Hall for the whole parade field to see. BMC Andy Fabbo lying prostrate across the chart table to demonstrate to the JO's how he is sick and tired of their antics during briefs with the CO. Last, about a bazillion antics we can't talk about while I was a Company Commander.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Followed my passion for Command Centers into a Defense Contractor building out SCIFs for the U.S. Army. Provided Response Management consultation services to BP for the MC-252 Oil Spill.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
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| Establishing great friendships. |
What we did was important to the citizens of the United States. The humanitarian role we played especially. I learned that even inn the storms of life, not only do I need to hold on, but I have to SURVIVE and THRIVE because my family and friends depend on me to get through the storm and back to safe haven.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE COAST GUARD?
Keep your eye on the prize. That's what my mentor, CDR David Carlson, USN (ret) always told me. Retire and enjoy the good life.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
TogetherWeServed has helped me remember and document many fond memories in my life. I'll share with you my many great memories of my family from the past 21 years. Things I remember: I remember thinking that the 900 square foot house we rented in Mobile Alabama 16 years ago as
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| Carrying on a Family Tradition |
a young QM3 seemed like a mansion. I remember coming home to my lovely wife and kids from many, many long patrols. I remember every one of those homecomings. The cards the kids colored for me, the house decorated, the frisky evenings alone with never mind. I remember the day my father told me he was proud of me, for what I achieved by joining the Coast Guard. I remember getting out of a patrol to be there when my daughter Laura Michelle was born.
I remember showing my mother the bridge of my ship. It was at night, and I powered up the radar and all the navigation equipment. Her eyes sparkled as she hugged me and told me how proud she was of me. I remember calling my wife from a pay phone, a thousand miles away, as she told me I had a son. I named him after my father and brother, Michael Taylor. I remember seeing my oldest daughter dressed up for the Prom, and thinking she was too little to go out on a date. And wondering who that strange woman was coming down the stairs. I remember saving up the money to get a nice whistling tea kettle for my wife for our anniversary. I remember Meg and I sewing a SEVEN STAR BLUE STAR BANNER for my grandmother. I remember all those dreaded countdown days until my ship set sail, and I had to leave my lovely wife and kids behind, to do my duty to God and Country.
I remember coming home from deployment to Hurricane Katrina in NOLA to a worn spot on the foot of the bed, where our dog, who is not supposed to be on the bed, slept. I remember watching my brother Joshua graduate from boot camp, to become one of the most talented and in demand Gunners Mates and Small Arms Instructors in the Fifth Coast Guard District.
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| TWS and the US Coast Guard |
I remember my mother's eyes as they lit up when soon to be GM3 Joshua Hoynes (who was smuggled out of Gunners Mate A School) stepped up to the podium, decked out in CG Blue, and sang the Star Spangled Banner at my Chiefs Acceptance Ceremony. Everyone got goose bumps, as he belted out one of the most powerful renditions of our nations anthem many of us Chiefs have ever heard.
The crowd was riveted. I remember crying while he sang. That was the first time I had heard his lovely baritone voice sing, because he was just 11 when I went to boot camp. I missed attending all his concerts. I remember missing the funeral for my grandfather, the birth of my son, and my anniversaries with my lovely wife, the birthdays of my kids, first steps, words, the good and the bad of home life. I remember that my beautiful and energetic wife Margaret Anne (Anne with an E she reminds me held 13 jobs in 5 different states over a span of these last 16 years we have been married. I have a list:. Thanks to TWS, I can share with my fellow Veterans who weren't there, parts of my Retirement Speech. |
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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For current and former serving Members of the US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Reserve, TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource enabling Coast Guardsmen to re-connect with lost Shipmates, share memories and tell their Coast Guard story.
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