STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of CAPT Gary Bruce, U.S. Coast Guard (1979-2015)

I was 18, having just finished a semester of junior college, and just had no clue where I wanted to go in life. My girlfriend broke up with me, so I thought I would join the Marines. But my cousin, who was already a USMC Captain, aviator, and Vietnam veteran, talked to me. He said, “If you join the Marine Corps, I’ll kick your a@#.” Then he laughed and said, “Look, you’d be a fine Marine, but join the Coast Guard or Air Force. They treat their people better.” Having grown up in Florida, being around water and boats all my life, I went to the CG recruiting office in Orlando, FL, where SS1 Gravett signed me up.

PS That girl that broke up with me married me four years later. We’ve been married for over 40 years now. Blessed.

Initially planning to do four years and then get out in the post-Vietnam era of the military, I went to boot camp at Cape May in April 1979, company V-103. BM2 Solyian was our CC. And guess what, he was a prior Vietnam Marine who thought he still was in the Marines. Crazy little scrappy dude. Our company started with 45 people but only graduated 26.

While at a session where they described all the enlisted ratings to us, I was scanning over the locations of the training “A” schools for each specialty. “Orlando, FL,” my hometown and the location of my girlfriend, popped out. I quickly looked at the title of the rating to see it said, “Quartermaster.” Remembering from watching MASH on TV, I thought it was supply-related. Then I read it was about navigation and visual communication. But it didn’t matter to me as I picked it to be closer to my girlfriend. So, I signed up to get on the school waiting list. At that time, the CG had a lot of recruiting and retention issues as people were not interested in the military after the long Vietnam conflict. So, “A” schools did not have long waiting lists.

About midway through boot camp, I found out I was to be assigned as a non-rate at Station Cape Hatteras, NC until my school came in. That was fine with me. I thought, “It’s the beach, and there is good surfing there.” Later that week, I was asked if I’d stay in Cape May as a swim trainer for boot camp. I had been a high school swimmer and had dive experience, too. So I said I would. But in the last week of training, I was informed that I got orders to Signalman & QM “A” School at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL. So, after graduation, off I went.

I went first to Signalman “A” School at the Navy’s Service School Command at NTC Orlando. After six weeks of school, I attended the Navy’s six weeks of QM “A” School. For both schools, there were 5 Coastguardsmen out of a total of 30 students. The rest were Navy. And we ran circles around the Navy. All 5 of us were in the top 5 in the class. For both schools!

From there, I couldn’t believe I was selected to go to USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622) in Port Canaveral, FL, just an hour down the road from Orlando. Yep, still close to my girlfriend. Are you starting to get my main driving decision principles here? lol.

I reported to CGC Courageous in August of 1979. I was a rated E-2, SAQM Bruce, as I didn’t have enough time in to even be an E-3. But I found shipboard life and life as a QM custom-made for me. I moved up quickly, even being frocked early to both QM3 and, six months later, QM2. So, I went from E-1 to E-5 in less than two years after joining the CG at the recruiting office.

From Courageous, without asking, I was recommended by my QMCS to go back to the “A” schools as an instructor. I was shocked but, of course, very pleased to accept. Yep, because my girlfriend was there. Love is an amazing driver of decision-making for any young person.

When I returned to NTC/SSC Orlando in August 1981 as a QM2, I was assigned as the only Coast Guard instructor at Signalman “A” School. I had a rep on Courageous as a good SM, having aced the requirements for the ship at Gitmo during Reftra. So that’s where I landed. And I loved it. I stayed there for two years, then got pulled over to the QM side, and loved that, too. Of the 5 CG instructors there, we rocked it—top-notch guys led by QMCS Gibby Gibson and YNC Roach. Once again, we ran circles around the Navy, as did the CG student who went through the training. Over the course of my four years as an instructor there, a Coast Guardsman was the honor graduate over 95% of the time.

As I approached my 4th year in the CG, they offered me a significant bonus to stay in. Since I was in my hometown, why not? I signed up for another three years. But I was still planning on getting out afterward. By then, in 1983, my girlfriend and I had finally gotten married after she graduated from college, and I was thinking of working for her dad as a carpeting and Formica distributor. But, after my wife got pregnant with our first child, she talked to me and said, “You are good at being a Coastguardman. I know you like what you do, so if you want to stay in, I’ll follow you anywhere we are assigned”. A month later, I aced my end-of-course test and then ranked 8th on the list after the service-wide exam. I found out I was to make QM1 on July 01, 1985, and was offered to help set up a new CG QM “A” school in Yorktown, VA, or go to Flag Plot at GCHQ. Of course, I picked Yorktown.

On July 01, 1985, I put on QM1 and reported to RTC Yorktown to write the curriculum and get the school started. From 1985 to 1987, we worked furiously and set up the first performance-based “A” school in the CG. I remember that we got it up and running barely in time for the first convening. In fact, we wrote some of the tests just before we gave them the following day. Crazy. But it worked. We worked seven days a week to get it done.

Also, during that time, I applied to OCS after some encouragement from my QMC Bob Berry and, of course, my wife. On my 3rd attempt, I made it.

I reported to OCS in August of 1987 in class 04-87. OCS was still at RTC Yorktown then. My platoon leader was LT Dean Lee, who later retired as VADM Dean Lee. He’s still my friend and hero.

From OCS, I went to USCGC Bittersweet (WLB-389), reporting aboard on a snowy evening in January 1988.

During my two-year tour, which ultimately turned into 3.5 years there, I experienced a lot as a JO led by two different COs and three different XOs. I was even assigned as the interim XO for a few months in 1990. I had been extended there at my 2nd CO’s request, and I ultimately screened for Command and was selected as plank owner CO of a brand new class C 110′ patrol boat, USCGC Block Island (WPB-1344), reporting to the precom detachment in New Orleans in June 1991. Once commissioned, we were homeported at Ft Macon, NC. And yes, I was extended there, too. Although, at the time, it was an LTJG command, I had just made LT 18 months into the Command. The CG had decided to disallow O-2s to command these big PBs. My Command had been successful, so they gave me another year since I was already an O-3.

From there, my career was further blessed.

1994-1998: Plankowner CO of the Southeast Regional Fisheries Training Center, Charleston, SC. (LT-LCDR)
1998-1999: Graduate school at Florida State University
1999-2004: CGHQ – G-WTT Training Management, then CG-1B Future Force (LCDR-CDR)
2004-2006: Director, Performance Technology Center, Yorktown, VA
2006-2008: Executive Officer, TRACEN Yorktown, VA
2008-2009: Chief, Medical Disability Evaluations (CDR-CAPT)
2009-2012: Plankowner CO, Heath Safety and Work-Life Service Center, Norfolk, VA.
20012-2015: Chief, Training Division, Force Readiness Command (FC-T), Washington, DC.

Yes, a blessed and fulfilling career for sure. I finally decided to retire after 36 years of active service to focus on my family. My mother was ill and died just 2 years later. I was with her when she died. So, it was the right decision to retire when I did.

I think the most impactful operation was the Meriel Boatlift back in 1980. I was on CGC Courageous (WMEC-622) and had just made QM3. It was my first unit after “A” school. During that time, in addition to my bridge duties, I was to be a port-side safety swimmer in case any mass incidents happened. On May 17, 1980, during an early morning flight ops, the helo flew over a boat that had gone down with 52 souls aboard. It was just in front of the ship, so the Captain had to glide into the middle of the people in the water. I remember it was a calm day, so he had me put into the water to recover people while they put the MCBs over the side for further rescue. I remember grabbing a baby that was floating and was blue. To this day, I don’t remember how I did it, but the crew told me I made two giant leaps on the port side scramble net to get the baby up to the crew waiting on deck. I think it was our ET1 named Fox that started CPR. Ultimately, the baby was revived, thank the good Lord. I went on to pull multiple people out of the water. On a couple of occasions, I remember grabbing people by the arm to get them up the net, but their skin came off in my hand. They had been drifting in fuel-saturated water for hours, so their skin became like rice paper. It was awful hearing them scream in pain. Here’s a description of the situation from our then-CO, CDR Miller.

I’ve seen many things in my 36-year career with the CG, but I will never forget that day. It changed me as a human being. I went from a goofy kid excited to bust drug runners to realizing I was a spoiled American who took for granted the rights and privileges I was given simply by being born in the USA. I now saw that people were willing to give their lives for a chance at freedom away from the oppression of a communist government. And I saw it more times than I want to count throughout the rest of my career. And it’s still happening in the Florida straights today. But you’ll never hear about it in the news anymore as it’s just a “normal” occurrence. Sad but true.

I have chosen to let these experiences make me a better man. Since then, I have tried to see the other side of people. To look beyond myself and my pride to see each person as someone who just wants to be free, safe, and loved. I fail often, but every day, I look back at May 17, 1980, and remember what was done for the sake of freedom. I am once again instantly humbled.

Did you encounter any situation during your military service when you believed there was a possibility you might not survive? If so, please describe what happened and what was the outcome.

There were many times, especially while commanding CGC Block Island, when I was scared and, if honest, worried we may not survive the ocean, especially on the nights when it was blowing a gale with cloud-covered skies and monster seas. As Commanding Officer, I always kept an outward appearance of calm and confidence, but inside, I was praying I was ensuring I was doing the right things so that we all survived the night and into the following days. I experienced the same feelings on the other ships I served on, but I was not the CO. So I rested easier knowing our Captain would see us through. But when I became the Captain, reality stepped in. I thank the Lord for protecting us.

You know, the human mind has a great way of remembering the good while forgetting most of the bad. I guess it’s a way for us to survive our minds. But, I am blessed in my career. I can honestly say I enjoyed all my assignments. They all had their unique challenges and requirements. They all made me better in those challenges, too. I honestly believe that the pain of dealing with something new creates the greatest growth.

Of course, being a plank owner CO of a brand new 110′ patrol boat, CGC Block Island, was a dream come true for this prior QM. Add an amazingly tight and just-plan fun crew, and it’s even better. And we busted our butts for all three years. I was aboard with more SAR cases and L/E cases than any other PB in the 5th district at the time. I have that in writing. Add that to being the first 5th District WPB to deploy in support of Operation Able Manner in Haiti, and you can see the confidence our bosses had in us,

And, of course, after CGC Block Island, was plank owner CO of SRFTC and, much later, as plank owner CO of HSWL SC. Both were wonderful experiences with more fantastic people. I learned so much while leading these amazing people. What a gift. I still pray that I was the leader they needed.

As for the least favorite, none meet that “least” definition. All had their ups and downs, but all taught me something. Nine years serving CGHQ and FORCECOM was something that taught me a higher understanding of an organization and all that goes into making it work (or not work). Those tours were invaluable. My time on CGC Bittersweet was mostly amazing but hard at times. I am so thankful for my COs, Bill Kline then Jim Quinn. They are very different but awesome men. I learned so much from them both. And from my first XO there, Kevin Cook. He was a stickler for detail, but, wow, no wonder he went on to become an Admiral. He taught me so much.

But, my most difficult tour was XO at CG TRACEN Yorktown. As everyone knows, being the XO of a very large unit is a mountain of continuous work. All of it is good and worthy. However, there were some challenges during those two years that required me to become more reflective of others as leaders and learn why they led the way they did. I learned that, especially when you disagree with a boss’s leadership style, the first thing you do is to try to figure out why they are the way they are. What made them that way? In this case, I was given a gift of information that allowed me to have compassion for my boss and an understanding of why that person was the way they were. That then allowed me to understand how I can be a better support for that individual.

Recovering a dead baby from the water when I was the port side safety swimmer on CGC Courageous during the Mariel Boat Lift. Once I got him aboard, the crew revived him. But I still see the bodies of the people who didn’t make it and hear the screams of the people I helped out of the water while their skin peeled off their arms after sitting in fuel-covered water for hours.

The huge waves during the SAR cases on all my cutters served, but especially on Block Island. The challenges of rigging a tow in big seas. The danger of each situation. The inspiration of our crew doing unbelievable work in unbelievable situations.

I also think about the many Cuban, Haitian, and even Chinese migrants interdicted. Those people risking their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

But mostly, I see the faces of my shipmates. My friends and crew at all of my assignments. They are the ones that made my memories. I miss them all.

Pictured (L to R): Me, QM1 Mike Johnson, QMC Bob Berry. All instructors at QM “A” at NTC Orlando.

What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?

I can’t say I’m proud of what Gary Bruce accomplished, really. I’m just proud of what we, as a team/crew, accomplished. I was simply a part of a greater plan. But I guess I would say that all the firsts I was responsible for helping to achieve. Some of which I never felt people even knew the enormity of.

Case in point, I was assigned as a brand new Captain/O-6, the stand-up up the first consolidated Command responsible for all aspects of the tactical running of all medical, safety, and work-life functions within the entire Coast Guard. ALL OF IT! It had never been done in the entire history of the CG. Never. But we did it. However, if I were to ask most regular Coast Guard leaders, they wouldn’t have a clue about what we did and the monumental task it required. That’s because it was a support element that they took for granted. Even though it was massive in size and scope, it was glamorous. But, bottom line, we didn’t care about accolades. We just all wanted to make the system better for the Coast Guard men and women doing the mission. And I’m confident that we did.

When I commanded the establishment of 2 much smaller units, CGC Block Island and, afterward, CG SRFTC, I felt fully supported, and our crew was recognized for what we did. But not for the monstrous job of standing up HSWL SC, all while dealing with the H1N1 outbreak, the Haitian earthquake, and then Deepwater Horizon. But I am so proud of our 2600+ crew representing teams spread across the nation. They got it done!

My permanent Cutterman’s pin, my Chief’s Anchor, and my Captain’s Eagle. All gifts that I will treasure.

There are too many to list. I am so blessed with great examples in my career. But here’s a shot:

1. CGC Courageous: My first mentor was HS2 Bob Oliver. Plus LTjg Dave Sump and, now Captain retired Rich Hatton, QMC Register, QMCS Plante, QM2/CWO Paul Dilger
2. QM Instructor Staff: QMC Bob Berry (my Chief forever. God bless you, Bob.)
3. RTC Yorktown boss, CDR Bill Horan. An amazing Mustang officer and mentor.
4. OCS and entire career: From Lt to Vice Admiral Dean Lee (a gift to all of us). My platoon LT, while at OCS, tracked me throughout my career. God bless you, Dean.
5. Bittersweet: LT to Radm Kevin Cook, my first XO as an Ensign on Bittersweet. He taught me so much. The same is true for CDR Bill Kline and CDR Jim Quinn, both my COs. Fantastic leaders and people.
6. Block Island: The entire crew! All of them! Some specific names are QM1/BMCM Romesburg, BMCS JimBoyle, MKC/CWO Orville Gillikin, BM1/BMCM Mark Cutter, BM2/BMCM Tim Hudson, SN Skip Frient, SN/BMCM retired Mark Adams, SS1 Big Bob Jennawine, etc., and so many more.
7. SRFTC: again, the entire crew. And then LT (now RADM) Brendan McPherson, CDR Barry Grayson, and Captain Ed Pino at the TACLET & D7 ole level.
8. CGHQ: Marilyn Stoney, Bill Kelly, Grant Leber, Russ Davidson, Bruce Viekman, and many more
9. PTC/TCY: Sheila Shepard is by far the kindest, most wonderful deputy and person I could ever imagine. And my buddy Tim Quiram.
10. XO TCY: Tim Quiram again. What a great friend and confidant. And DCCM/CMC Mike Wilton. They were the main support and help for me during this difficult tour. But I’d also add so many more amazing people there.
11. CGPC Adm-1: My boss, Capt Bruce Viekman and Captain Dave Kranking. And my teammates, especially Melba Crisp and Dr. John Hariadi.
12. HSWL SC: Again, our entire crew across America. But specifically, encouragement and help from my Chief Medical expert and friend, RADM/Dr. Maura Dollymore, and my Deputy, Mark Munson, Captain, USN, retired/GS-15. And my boss RADM/Dr. Mark Tedesco.
13. FC-T: Again, so very many amazing names come to mind. All the COs, XOs, and TOs of all the training centers. Especially Bill Kelly and Todd Prestidge, both Cape May COs. And Chuck Fosse at TRACEN Petaluma.

Overall, some of my greatest heroes, friends, mentors, coaches, etc., are:

-VADM Dean Lee. This man just cared. He was a leader of leaders. It was God’s gift to him, and he knew that God had given it to him. He tracked me down at every turn of my career to check on me.

-QMC Bob/Robert Berry: He encouraged me as both a Chief when I was a young QM1 and a brother as part of our and his family.

-CDR/GS-15 Tim Quiram: My best friend from the time we met back in 1999. He was TO when I was PTC, then XO at TCY. He was a great coach and encouragement. He truly cared for my welfare and my family as I did his. And he had an incredible knack for keeping me humble and laughing. He is still my best friend, and I treasure the gift of his friendship.

**Lastly, my biggest influence is my bride of over 40+ years now, Beverly Taylor/Bruce. She has been God’s gift to me since I was 17 and she was 16. She has been at my side, encouraging me and pushing me to be better than I thought I could/should be. She loved me even when I was gone so long and so often. She gave me confidence that, while serving my nation, our family was also being well cared for. I couldn’t have come close to serving so long and, I hope to believe, so well without her. Words are not enough to describe all she means to me and all she means to our nation. In the end, she’s the true hero in this story. **

I covered most of that in my last question. I still stay in touch with many.

QM/BMCM Mark Romesburg, BMCM Tim Hudson, VADM Dean Lee, RADM Bill Kelly, CDR Dave Hartt, RADM Chuck Fosse, Capt, USN, Mark Munson, RADM Jay Vann, HS1 Bob Oliver, Captain Jon Riffe, Captain/SES Jenifer Sinclair, and many more.

Mainly through social media, phone calls, texts, etc. I still meet up with my buddy, Tim Quiram, often. I also see Dave Hartt and, at times, Sheila Shepard at church and events.

The picture is at my retirement in 2015. We are all past Directors of the CG Performance Technology Center (PTC): L to R – CDR/GS-15 Tim Quiram, me, CDR Dave Hartt, Captain Jon Riffe, and Captain/SES Jen Sinclair.

There are too many to mention from the guy who washed the Chief’s coffee mug, which purposefully he didn’t wash for years. The Chief was none too happy, to say the least—the constant underway pranks. The funny moments during SAR cases were when BM2 Hudson would be yelling like a cowboy while navigating a disabled sailboat behind the WPB in a major storm. I still laugh thinking of that one. Even LT Fred Seton, while he worked for me during the Joint Rating Review implementation, thought it was funny to print a draft memo going to our boss, Captain Bruce Viekman, in all red font because the Captain was raised by a mom who was an English teacher so he marked up our papers often. Fred found out that it didn’t go over too well. Lol.

I am now a Program Manager for a Coast Guard service-based contract. Oh, and I now have my own boat. So I’m earning my sea pay again. lol

Of course, Veterans Affairs. They are actually very easy to work with and most helpful.

USAA insurance. Very service-oriented but

It has taught me that it’s not about me. It has also taught me that we are so blessed to be Americans, but most Americans are spoiled. Just ask a Cuban or Haitian refugee trying to have what we take for granted.

You have made a wise decision that you will never regret. But, bottom line, just do what you are supposed to do without having to be told to do it. Sounds easy, but it’s amazing how many people don’t. That always amazed me. I never knew why some people worked so hard to do so little. The military is easy, and when you do what you’re supposed to do, you’ll be “..a genius!” (Forest Gump et al.).

Thank you. You have made me reflect in an organized way. This is a way I have never taken the time to do since my retirement in 2015, and much appreciated.