Meet the Future of the US Coast Guard David Parker, third class, age 23 from Woodstock, Georgia, majoring in civil engineering. David already has a bachelor's degree in architecture bur grew disenchanted with 9-5 work. More importantly, he discovered his values had shifted from wan ring a career rhar was "all about me" to wanting to serve. He could have gone to the Coast Guard's Officer Candidate School, bur he wanted the kind of experience only the Academy could offer. David volunteered for the worst jobs and least glorious jobs and performed them with enthusiasm. Why? "Because a good leader needs humiliry." Danny Piazza, first class, age 22, from Pawling, New York, management David Parker (right) shooting LAN. major. Danny makes no bones about it: the top-notch college education the Coast Guard offered him was big draw. Nor only that, bur a guaranteed job each summer and for five years after graduation added to the Academy's lustre. Our of high school, Danny spent a year at SUNY Maritime College in Throgs Neck, New York. But he realized that he was looking for a more formal military experience and transferred to the Coast Guard. Danny seems to be everywhere all the rime and is invariably upbeat. He is ranked #1 in his class on board. (Rankings are based on academic grades, military scores, and physical fitness exams.) This was his fourth summer aboard Eagle. Danny likes that at the Coast Guard Academy, all classes are respectful of each other because, chances are, they will end up on the same ship together. He noted that at a maritime academy, graduates scatter and may sail together in ships down the road, bur that in the Coast Guard it is almost guaranteed. On his "dream sheet" for job placement after graduation is to be assigned to search and rescue - and he hopes to make his career in law enforcement.
Danny Piazza (right) gives the navigation briefjust before departure.
First class cadet Kim Hulbert, age 21 from Congers, New York, is a marine environmental science major. She requested to be main mast captain for the challenge of leading her peers through the complexities of running all sail handling from course to royal, including main staysails as well. Despite her calling to the main mast, Kim found most valuable her training in the engine department and hopes to qualify both on deck and in engineering before she signs off. Kim has an uncle in the US Navy and she applied to both the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy. Accepted by each, Kim decided the Coast Guard would best march her personaliry and career goals. For one thing, she thought she would thrive in a more familial environment of the smaller Academy. Third class cadet Ridge Lortz hails from Maryland and said that many of his classmates from high school aim for the Naval Academy because it has such a presence in his home state. He wanted to do something different, but he was still intent on joining a military academy. Aside from his blazing red hair, Ridge stuck our to me from our first meeting, aloft on day three in the gale on the main lower topsail yard getting ready to stow the sail. Ir was day three, but it was nighttime, Kim Hulbert calls out commands with the winds still strong enough to pose a problem and the rain, at times, blowing at the main mast. sideways. I followed the line-up of cadets and crew up and our along the port side of the yard on the footropes. Next in line behind me came Mr. Lortz with a big smile on his face. When he looked up and saw a middle-aged woman, clearly nor in the Coast Guard, our on the yard with him, he smiled and said in surprise, "Who are you?" Ridge was always more than willing to be taught something extra, identifying tall ship rigs, knots beyond rhe basic five, and how to splice three-strand rope. He has great instincts and was never hesitant to do rhe right thing. His energy and joy at handling whatever task was at hand was contagious.
Ridge Lortz ready and eager far the next order aloft. SEA HISTORY 136, AUTUMN 2011
23