When it came to her summer assignment, 1/c Mackenzie Bucki got the opposite of what she requested. Instead of a small, patrol boat in the Pacific, she got a 270-foot ship in the Atlantic. The USCGC FORWARD, based in Norfolk, VA, is a medium endurance cutter focusing on migrant and drug interdiction.
“For this patrol, our mission was to intercept drugs from smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. We left Virginia on May 28th and made four port calls along the way: Key West, Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Cuba,” said Bucki.
Bucki witnessed, first-hand, the training that goes into cutter operations to prep for a mission. She and the crew simulated a “fast cruise” which is a simulated underway day, which allowed the crew to conduct various trainings before the patrol begins. FORWARD also did a “shakedown cruise” where the crew trains in their actual roles while the ship is underway. The shakedown cruise is vital for crewmembers to familiarize themselves with shipboard functions at sea.
“There are many different training scenarios for responding to various casualties aboard. I participated in simulated progressive flooding and crankcase explosion casualty,” said Bucki. “During the shakedown cruise the day was jam-packed with training. We simulated a man overboard, practiced dropping anchor, and ensured that everyone knew their assigned role for getting underway.”
Bucki also became qualified in flight operations tasks, which involve the many aspects that go into a helicopter returning to and taking off from the ship. She learned and demonstrated her skills in hose handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and basic firefighting. She also familiarized herself with the engineering aspects during this patrol, memorizing many parameters (pressure, temperature, etc.) and functions of engine room and auxiliary systems.
Bucki’s action and adventure packed time on USCGC FORWARD led to the building of Coast Guard bonds with crew members, more confidence in her forthcoming role as ensign and a newfound awareness of her own leadership style.
“I am first generation military, so I am not as familiar with the Coast Guard compared to others. This experience helped me explore some possible career paths and understand the life of a junior officer. I came to realize that there are many factors that influence one’s experience as an ensign. Although location and platform are the main components taken into consideration for billet picks, there are many other things that influence what life will be like on a ship. This includes command climate, status of the ship’s equipment, and collateral duties,” said Bucki.
Bucki would like to receive a Buoy Tender or Fast Response Cutter as her first assignment upon graduation.
