Guardian of the Week – BM2 Joseph D’Amico

Friday, December 17, 2010

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

BM2 D'Amico on the bridge

BM2 D’Amico serves in many positions aboard the cutter, one of which is the Officer of the Deck, a position that requires the dedication and skill to be responsible for the cutter. Photo courtesy of LTJG Jason Acuna.

With a history dating back to 1847, Coast Guard Cutter Bear has had remarkable crewmembers call her decks home, including Captain Michael Healy, First Lieutenant David Jarvis and Second Lieutenant Ellsworth Bertholf. Living up to the cutter’s legacy of “Serving the Present to Honor the Past,” Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Joseph D’Amico exhibits the highest levels of professionalism and leadership demanded by those who serve on Bear.

Aboard Bear, D’Amico is a qualified underway officer of the deck (OOD), a position of unsurpassed responsibility where the ship is placed in the hands of the OOD themselves.

This qualification alone is a significant accomplishment for a second class petty officer, as it is usually only open to junior officers and highly competent chiefs and first class petty officers. D’Amico worked tirelessly to hone the skills and knowledge required to be an OOD, and ultimately the command opened the qualification to him – highlighting the command’s level of respect and trust in his abilities.

“Qualifying as an OOD is the cornerstone of professional growth for cuttermen and comes from a breadth of knowledge and experiences,” said LT Sean Murray, the cutter’s operations officer. “It is one of the most rewarding experiences within the Coast Guard, actually standing watch for the first time as a fully qualified OOD knowing that you have responsibility for the ship.”

BM2 Joseph D'Amico

BM2 D'Amico stands the watch on the cutter's bridge, but also plays a critical part in the cutter’s smallboat crew during underway missions. Photo courtesy of LTJG Jason Acuna.

When D’Amico is not standing watch on the bridge, he is one of Bear’s “go to” smallboat coxswains. D’Amico proved to be an instrumental asset during the cutter’s recent patrol where the crew was involved with five separate go-fast pursuits within a two-week period.

D’Amico shows excellence on the cutter’s bridge and at the controls of a smallboat, but shows an even greater commitment to his shipmates. During Bear’s most recent patrol D’Amico was on a fire team during a damage control drill when he noticed a crewmember in full fire fighting gear who began moving slowly and eventually fainted. D’Amico immediately caught them and called for a safety time out. His attention to his fellow crewmember and his ability to promptly cease the drill in a safe way allowed his shipmate to receive proper care.

This same commitment was evident when D’Amico spearheaded the cutter’s boatswain’s mate “striker program.” D’Amico took time out of his underway schedule to teach and train interested non-rates in navigational seamanship as well as smallboat procedures, leading to three non-rates being accepted into the boatswain’s mate program.

“BM2 D’Amico is a quiet and unassuming petty officer who continually exceeds all expectations,” said CDR William Lane, Commanding Officer of  Bear. “He is one of Bear’s most versatile shipmates and his judgment, dedication and seamanship are unparalleled. It’s been a pleasure and honor to serve with him.”

D’Amico’s consummate work ethic and dedication set the example for excellence at sea and his work aboard Bear most certainly honors the cutter’s past.

Do you know a Coastie that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations for Guardian of the Week using the “Submit Ideas” link on the right.

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  • doug

    I am amazed, a qualified PO2 has the deck instead of a fresh O-1 who can’t spell Semper Paratus, finally the Guard is seeing the quality of their PO’s.

  • http://www.hotmail.com jhon

    i am in the navy and have never seen a PO2 be qualify as an UOOD that is outstanding i am a seamen in the navy now i am rated BM and i had some achievement to my self in the last 1 year and 8 months that i been in the navy within 6months in the fleet i earn my first navy achiefment metal and in my first deployment i got my ESWS wich is a big qual for new ppl on the ship i am working my way to become a third class before my 2 and half year mark and this BM2 here is like my role model people like him makes me want to stay in and do better everyday good job boats…

  • Tom

    This is a great accomplishment, both professional and personal and not to be deminished. However, this is not new to the Coast Guard. I was a QM2 and an U/W OOD in 1968 aboard a 133 foot WLM. Congratulations Boats.

  • Seatroll

    Well Done Boats!

  • Andrea Thomas

    Great job Boats!

  • AMTCS Pete MacDougall

    Congratulations BM2 D’Amico!
    What a great story. You’re doing a super job and it’s also being very nicely recognized; There’s a winning combination!
    Thanks for doing a great job and taking care of your people!
    Happy Holidays to you and your shipmates on CGC Bear!
    AMTCS Mac
    EAA #8

  • CWO 3 (ret) Pat Stretch

    BM2 D’Amico,
    Well done. I was a proud boarding officer of the Bear back when:

    In 1989, Bear was the tactical commander for the initial rescue and relief operations on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, following the devastating Hurricane Hugo. During this operation Bear evacuated 139 U.S. citizens, coordinated the evacuation of 100 sick and injured civilians and initiated the national relief response for the more than 50,000 residents on the island.

    Bear has responded to two armed hijackings, the most dramatic of which occurred on the 250-foot coastal freighter Madrid in March 1989. Thirty armed hijackers, led by five deserters from the Haitian Army took control of the vessel at gun point. A boarding team from Bear disarmed the hijackers, returned control of the vessel to the master, and freed 15 people, including a small child being held hostage.

    It is great to read about the Bear upholding its fine traditions.

  • http://yahoo brittany

    thank evey one that gos to fight back and in three years i will go pn the cost gaurd thank you a gain and bay .

  • Dannytheman

    Very impressive, Boats!!

    Us old dogs of the sea really appreciate you!!

  • Janie D’Amico

    I love you :-)