DAMAGE CONTROLMAN (DC)


To view a video of this rate, click here.

DCs assigned to cutters are responsible for watertight integrity, emergency equipment associated with firefighting and flooding, plumbing repairs, welding fabrication and repairs, and chemical, biological and nuclear-warfare detection, and decontamination.

Types of Duty:

DCs are stationed throughout the Coast Guard, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Afloat assignments for DCs include all major cutters, buoy tenders, and river tenders. Aboard cutters, DCs are assigned to the engineering department where they qualify to stand engineering watches. Shoreside assignments for DCs include Integrated Support Commands (ISCs), Air Stations, Groups, LORAN Stations, Marine Safety Offices, Tactical Law Enforcement Units, and Small Boat Stations.

Training Available:

Training to become a Damage Controlman can be accomplished by on-the-job training or by attending Damage Controlman 'A' School in Yorktown, VA. In the 13 weeks of DC 'A' School, students will have classroom instruction and lab time in each of the following areas: welding; oxy-fuel gas cutting; firefighting; carpentry; plumbing; watertight closure maintenance; chemical, biological, and radiological warfare defense; and shipboard damage control. Advanced training in welding, firefighting, and shipboard damage control procedures are available for DCs assigned to cutters.

Qualifications:

To be a DC, you should have an interest in performing construction, repairs, and responding to emergencies. Practical experience or prior training in welding, carpentry, plumbing, and firefighting is helpful, but not required.

Related Civilian Jobs:

Welder
Plumber
Carpenter
Pipe Fitter
Ship fitter
Firefighter
Home Inspector
Building Inspector
Trade School Teacher
Construction Foreman
Maintenance Supervisor

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

posted from old forum.

Anyone wish to share their knowledge about Damage Controlmen? I ask because I can't remember one single post regarding this rating. If I was not considering a career with the CG I'd probably pick this or FS as a rating because they'd benefit my personal life. DIY network's newest host: Bored of Desk Jobs! ha.
It all begins February 16th 2010!






Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 145 Posted 1/2/2010 9:42 PM (GMT -5)
Your basic DC is a welder, carpenter, fire fighter, and pipe fitter. They are the subject matter experts on shipboard damage control and firefighting.

If you want a more glamorous description, if the Roman Empire had DCs it would have been built in a day. DCs work with EMs and MKs to keep ships afloat and steaming. It's definitely a great rate with plenty of training that correlates to the civilian sector. See also MK and EM.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




chukles
Recruiter




Date Joined Nov 2008
Total Posts : 1170 Posted 1/3/2010 10:13 AM (GMT -5)
DCs assigned to cutters are responsible for watertight integrity, emergency equipment associated with firefighting and flooding, plumbing repairs, welding fabrication and repairs, and chemical, biological and nuclear-warfare detection, and decontamination.

Types of Duty:

DCs are stationed throughout the Coast Guard, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Afloat assignments for DCs include all major cutters, buoy tenders, and river tenders. Aboard cutters, DCs are assigned to the engineering department where they qualify to stand engineering watches. Shoreside assignments for DCs include Integrated Support Commands (ISCs), Air Stations, Groups, LORAN Stations, Marine Safety Offices, Tactical Law Enforcement Units, and Small Boat Stations.

Training Available:

Training to become a Damage Controlman can be accomplished by on-the-job training or by attending Damage Controlman 'A' School in Yorktown, VA. In the 13 weeks of DC 'A' School, students will have classroom instruction and lab time in each of the following areas: welding; oxy-fuel gas cutting; firefighting; carpentry; plumbing; watertight closure maintenance; chemical, biological, and radiological warfare defense; and shipboard damage control. Advanced training in welding, firefighting, and shipboard damage control procedures are available for DCs assigned to cutters.

Qualifications:

To be a DC, you should have an interest in performing construction, repairs, and responding to emergencies. Practical experience or prior training in welding, carpentry, plumbing, and firefighting is helpful, but not required.

Related Civilian Jobs:

Welder
Plumber
Carpenter
Pipe Fitter
Ship fitter
Firefighter
Home Inspector
Building Inspector
Trade School Teacher
Construction Foreman
Maintenance Supervisor
Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!




ezekiel97
if its broken..paint it!




Date Joined Jan 2009
Total Posts : 497 Posted 1/3/2010 1:36 PM (GMT -5)
be ready to do plumbing and play with some poop. A DC from a wmec came over to talk to one of our nonrates about it, and said thats a fair part of the job. When you get into fleet and have to do seops, if you enjoy it/comes fairly easy dc would probably be a good fit, seops was challenging and very hard for me.
Stationed in Key Wes, FL
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:13




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 145 Posted 1/3/2010 6:06 PM (GMT -5)
SEOPS and Basic/Advanced DC PQS are meant to be challenging. But, the knowledge and experience you gain is essential to ship board life.

I've known quite a few DCs. They do more than "play with some poop." A good DC can take a pile of chaos cut it, weld it, put it on a lathe, and make it into a spice rack that can withstand hurricane force winds. It's a great rate if you are looking for some serious challenge.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




wepprop
Yet Another Coastie Dad




Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 3188 Posted 1/3/2010 6:08 PM (GMT -5)
Besides, everyone who's ever bought a house ends up playing with, er, pipes...

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

Evening All. I just recently came across some discouraging news after attending MEPS today. It appears I'm color deficient. That basically shot my dream of any aviation rate out the window. Now my options are extremely limited, and the only two I'm considering are DC and MST. My question is, what are the 'C' Schools and/or qualifications that a DC can acquire? Is it possible to get into Law Enforcement while being a DC?

I know it's very possible to get a considerable amount of training in the MST rating. The Rating name is a little misleading. MST's do a great deal of ship boardings/inspections. My son fills an MST billett (he's a BM), and he has gone to many LE schools. The VBST units (vessell boarding security teams) all receive extensive training in law enforcement, maritime law, environmental law, as well as advanced weapons and tactics training. He has trained with the FBI, Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection and NYPD.

Hope that helps

Here's a taste of what the VBST does:

http://www.coastguardd5publicaffair...51/273067/

I dont know what to trust more, the A-school waiting list posted by the Coast Guard, or my recruiter.

My recruiter told me the wait for DC would be about 6 months, but the wait list has an estimate of more than 24 months. There are only about 50 some people on the list, which is short compared to others, but I dont know how quickly they get put through the school.

Any advice?

Your recruiter is incorrect. Current A school list dated 15 February 2011 states;

DC-A: More than 24 months 06JUN11

Only 1 school is listed. There may be more coming down the pike, but do not have access to my emails until Tuesday.

The description on gocoastguard.com has me interested (really, I'm interested in all the rates, with the exception of maybe two lol)... any insider info on day to day life? Just doin my hw!

I am really interested in DC school due to the fact that while i was attending community college i was majoring in Fire technology. I noticed this was the only rate with fire fighting listed under civilian related jobs. If there is and DC's out there who could help me out. I am looking to be a fire fighter when i get out so and help would be much appreciated. thanks

I was really looking into DC and then found a guy at my station had been striking DC when he was on the KUKUI and said that the nick name "turd chaser" is very true. On a cutter, he was clearing plumbing constantly....he did a little welding and did even less fire fighting. I will say that the DC's do run any fire stations the USCG has and they also do a lot of construction projects etc. It's up to you, but just giving some insight on a pretty small rating.

Thanks gdeyarmond. I am still looking at all the ratings to see what i really want to do. do you know what C schools there are for DC?

Here is information on the A school and C schools available to a DC.

http://www.uscg.mil/tcyorktown/TEW/dc.asp