USCG After 5 years sea duty, 3 in Alaska, 2 driving a 82' patrol boat out of socal, I was assigned to a shore unit on Governors Isl NYC. I show up, an E-5 with 12 ribbons. most of the other guys were RD1's (RADARMEN)that HAD NEVER LEFT GOVERNORS ISLAND and never been to sea. They had the 2 ribbons everyone gets in boot camp. pistol and rifle. Nothing else. How do you make RD1 and never set foot on a ship? A bigger bunch of kiss up/kick down homesteaders youve never seen. Most of them thought the US ended at the Hudson river and had never driven a car! The first thing they say to me when they see my 3 rows of ribbons (with 3 stars for doubles) was "are you supposed to be wearing all that?". My reply endeared me to them for the next 2 years. "I didnt spend the last 5 years shining officers shoes!". they hated me after that. I got out 2 years later.