History of the Marine Science Technician Rating
In 1962/3 Coast Guard oceanographers suggested
that enlisted personnel could be trained to carry out routine
oceanographic observations on Ocean Stations, Ice Breakers, and
Oceanographic ships, in a manner similar to the weather observations
taken by the Aerographers Mates (AG) and the bathythermograph
readings taken by the Sonarmen (SO). The idea was pitched to the
Commandant's office and a Class-C training program was established
at the Coast Guard Training Center in Groton, Connecticut for
enlisted Sonarmen and Aerographers Mates to undergo an 8-week
training course dealing with oceanographic theory and practical
knowledge.
The Coast Guard's Oceanographic Unit (CGOU) was established in
1964 at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington DC. It was staffed
with CG line officers, military oceanographers, and CG enlisted
Sonarmen and Aerographers Mates that had been trained either aboard
icebreakers or in the training program.
In 1966, the rating was evenly split between Sonarmen and Aerographers
Mates. In November 1968, the decision was made to create a new
rating. The new rating encompassed all of the functions of the
old AG rate and the functions done by the "Oceanographic
Technicians" as the C-school graduates were known. AGs were
converted without a choice. Sonarmen were given the option of
converting but had to agree to get basic Weather training as part
of the conversion. The rating supported the Coast Guard's growing
Marine Science Activities (MSA) program. The MSA included the
Ocean Weather Station Programs, Aviation Support Programs, International
Ice Patrol, and Polar Ice Operations Program among others.
The name Marine Science Technician was born and the alpha short
designation MST caused no small set of problems as at that time
all other CG designations were 2 characters. In January of 1970,
a contest was held to pick a rating insignia.
The winning designer was Joe Torre.
Some duties of the MST rating are as follows: Marine Science Technicians
specialize in managing the functions and operations of the marine
safety and security program. This consists of such duties as pollution
investigation, monitoring of federally funded cleanup of oil and
chemical spills, boarding foreign and domestic flagged commercial
vessels to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and regulations, conducting
inspections of commercial facilities to ensure compliance with
U.S. laws and regulations, supervising the loading of explosives,
monitoring bulk liquid cargo transfer operations, serving as members
of the three (3) Coast Guard National Strike Force teams, operating
and managing various marine safety computer programs, and serving
as watch-standers in the National Response Center, a branch of
the Coast Guard Headquarters Command Center, waterside security
patrols of the port, the sea marshal program, and boarding ships
at sea for security measures, prior to final approval for them
to enter a U.S. port. In addition to marine safety and security
duties, they also play an important role as scientific support
at Coast Guard Air Stations, the Coast Guard Marine Safety Laboratory,
International Ice Patrol, and on board Coast Guard Ice Breakers.
These duties include weather forecasting, tracking the formation
and movement of sea ice, and the fingerprint-type analysis of
oil spill samples.
The Marine Science School was held in Groton, CT from 1963-1969
for Oceanographic classes. Its home was on Governors Island, NY
from 1969-1978. While there, it received its official name of
Marine Science Technician in 1970. It was finally brought here
to Yorktown, VA in 1978 and has remained here since. Marine Science
Technician classes are taught in Hamilton Hall.
MSTC Dixon - Tracen Yorktown,
VA - MST "A" School - (Former Unit)
Other
MST Historical questions I'd like to publish on this page
1) Meaning of MST Designator Image?
2) Historical information relating to what the first AG/MSTs did
as relating to their place within the CG mission?
3) Who were the first MST?
4) Who created the name MST, and why was it called MST?
5) What units first needed AG/MST?
6) Why did the Coast Guard do away with weather when weather is
such an important part of maritime situational awareness?
7) Any past AG/MST who would like to write
a short biography about their career as relating to the early/original
missions of this rate; I’ll create
a specific place for your story on my site – giving you
full credit for your original writings!!! - Click
8) Any thing else?
