https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve ssel-operators-are-now-earning-specialized-badges/ Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen....mgb
If there is a day earmarked for me to have stroke like symptoms, it's days like today after reading this article. Especially knowing the line of effort on the Rescue Swimmer Device personally since 2011 (which dates back to well before my time which began for me in 1989). R/ "Super" Dave Crossan On Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 1:44 PM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve...
Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
Absolutely Master Chief. I saw this and the writeup from the SWO Convention and it just makes you sick From: David Crossan <davidwcrossan@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:13 AM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> Cc: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; Mike Reber <reebs@cox.net>; Arne Nelson <arnejohnnelson@gmail.com>; Bill Personius <billpersonius@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <brianjmiller1977@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <secretary@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Chris Fitzgerald <helofitz@mac.com>; Chris Fitzgerald <president@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Curtis Shaub <curtis1.shaub@gmail.com>; Drew Hamblen <drew@fairviewllc.com>; DuBard, Dennis <DDuBard@nassco.com>; EChip Lancaster <chipplug@hotmail.com>; greenparrotgraphics <greenparrotgraphics@proton.me>; Jeffrey A. Melody <jmelsp@yahoo.com>; Jim Gillcrist <jjgillcrist@gmail.com>; John Ball <helopapa71@gmail.com>; president@nhascholarshipfund.org; Rotor Review <rotorreview@navalhelicopterassn.org> Subject: Re: Unmanned Vessel Operators If there is a day earmarked for me to have stroke like symptoms, it's days like today after reading this article. Especially knowing the line of effort on the Rescue Swimmer Device personally since 2011 (which dates back to well before my time which began for me in 1989). R/ "Super" Dave Crossan On Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 1:44 PM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com <mailto:mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> > wrote: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve... Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
I don't get it... Infuriating! On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 11:19 <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
Absolutely Master Chief. I saw this and the writeup from the SWO Convention and it just makes you sick
*From:* David Crossan <davidwcrossan@gmail.com> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:13 AM *To:* Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> *Cc:* HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; Mike Reber <reebs@cox.net>; Arne Nelson <arnejohnnelson@gmail.com>; Bill Personius < billpersonius@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <brianjmiller1977@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <secretary@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Chris Fitzgerald < helofitz@mac.com>; Chris Fitzgerald <president@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Curtis Shaub <curtis1.shaub@gmail.com>; Drew Hamblen <drew@fairviewllc.com>; DuBard, Dennis <DDuBard@nassco.com>; EChip Lancaster <chipplug@hotmail.com>; greenparrotgraphics <greenparrotgraphics@proton.me>; Jeffrey A. Melody < jmelsp@yahoo.com>; Jim Gillcrist <jjgillcrist@gmail.com>; John Ball < helopapa71@gmail.com>; president@nhascholarshipfund.org; Rotor Review < rotorreview@navalhelicopterassn.org> *Subject:* Re: Unmanned Vessel Operators
If there is a day earmarked for me to have stroke like symptoms, it's days like today after reading this article. Especially knowing the line of effort on the Rescue Swimmer Device personally since 2011 (which dates back to well before my time which began for me in 1989).
R/
"Super" Dave Crossan
On Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 1:44 PM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve...
Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
When I retired from the NAE in 2016, this badge approval was “right around the corner.” Someone needs to find out exactly where the paperwork is, who is responsible, and what’s holding it up. It would be a great question for the NHA flag panel. I would ask the panel to come back with answers and an expected date for approval or rejection. This has been studied to death and would be an easy “win” for the NHA/NAE. If I’m a flag officer, I’d want names responsible and a formal answer to when a decision will be made. No non-answers should be accepted. I want a date! Dave Moulton David W. Moulton SRSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 14:48, Bill Personius <billpersonius@gmail.com> wrote: I don't get it...Infuriating! On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 11:19 <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote: Absolutely Master Chief. I saw this and the writeup from the SWO Convention and it just makes you sick From: David Crossan <davidwcrossan@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 11:13 AM To: Mike Brattland <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> Cc: HeloBubbas <helobubbas@helobubbas.com>; Mike Reber <reebs@cox.net>; Arne Nelson <arnejohnnelson@gmail.com>; Bill Personius <billpersonius@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <brianjmiller1977@gmail.com>; Brian Miller <secretary@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Chris Fitzgerald <helofitz@mac.com>; Chris Fitzgerald <president@nhahistoricalsociety.org>; Curtis Shaub <curtis1.shaub@gmail.com>; Drew Hamblen <drew@fairviewllc.com>; DuBard, Dennis <DDuBard@nassco.com>; EChip Lancaster <chipplug@hotmail.com>; greenparrotgraphics <greenparrotgraphics@proton.me>; Jeffrey A. Melody <jmelsp@yahoo.com>; Jim Gillcrist <jjgillcrist@gmail.com>; John Ball <helopapa71@gmail.com>; president@nhascholarshipfund.org; Rotor Review <rotorreview@navalhelicopterassn.org> Subject: Re: Unmanned Vessel Operators If there is a day earmarked for me to have stroke like symptoms, it's days like today after reading this article. Especially knowing the line of effort on the Rescue Swimmer Device personally since 2011 (which dates back to well before my time which began for me in 1989). R/ "Super" Dave Crossan On Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 1:44 PM <mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com> wrote: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve... Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb _______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
Don't you have a Retired Navy organization to do some lobbying? Complaining to each other does nothing! Does Coast Guard have one for its swimmers? Suggest approval to use theirs....embarrassment might break it loose!! h On 3/17/2026 12:43, mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com wrote:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve...
Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list --helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email tohelobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
-- untitled <mailto:embrattland@Arvig.net>
My experience is that there is no way to shame management into action as they spend very few, if any, heartbeats concerning themselves with the feelings of the proletariat. You guys were all staffers. Many of you have worked in DC before. If you want to unstick it, my suggestion is to make it a fire hydrant and let one of the big dogs mark his territory with it. I understand that this has to go through channels, but when was the last time anybody had a face to face with somebody in the MCPON office? How about an engagement at CNAP about how some remote control boat operators received their professional badge before the heroes of Indonesia, Japan, New Orleans, etc…Would NHA allow space for an article about it in Rotor Review? This really is something the sea wall needs engagement on and a lot of what I hear every month is that that may not be happening to the extent that is needed. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Symposium is a great place. Fleet fly-in is a great place, but “union labor” needs to be organized or the gatekeepers will keep that badge at the bottom of the stack until the boss is tired of hearing about it. On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 6:13 PM Harold Brattland <habrattland@arvig.net> wrote:
Don't you have a Retired Navy organization to do some lobbying?
Complaining to each other does nothing!
Does Coast Guard have one for its swimmers? Suggest approval to use theirs....embarrassment might break it loose!! h On 3/17/2026 12:43, mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com wrote:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve...
Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
-- <embrattland@Arvig.net>
_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list -- helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email to helobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
Yes, true, it won't budge those guys in the blue suits with all the yellow rings on the sleeves, however, in the Heraldry Office it is most likely long term civilians, likely retired military, making their way through piles of requests from units all over the world, some proposing unattainable recognition for esoteric operations. If they dig through the pile and put your request near top, then maybe... My own, one shot at heraldry was in '70, just back from SEA and real bullets, the new Sqdn Commander asks me to get a new patch for this new test organization doing recce drone and rpv test. We sent the package forward to AF, and they I got the number and called them after I knew they had it. Spoke to the crusty civilian, who sounded like a retired Lt or E-8. " Why do you need another patch...you are only a temporary test sqdn, you all ready have a AF Systems Command, patch, an AF Flight Test Center patch, and a 6510 Test Wing patch, and you need another one too?" Its a new unique mission that will be around a long time, Sir, I answered, a bit of white lie. Okay, we will approve it. Thank You! Well it still exists in unit history...AF changed to three number designations... I suppose I was ripe with audacity follow ing a successful year in combat, where if we wanted a new patch we took it down to Thai Tailor and told him how many and how soon. But "followup" was a teaching from AFROTC!! h On 3/18/2026 09:56, Brian Miller wrote:
My experience is that there is no way to shame management into action as they spend very few, if any, heartbeats concerning themselves with the feelings of the proletariat. You guys were all staffers. Many of you have worked in DC before. If you want to unstick it, my suggestion is to make it a fire hydrant and let one of the big dogs mark his territory with it. I understand that this has to go through channels, but when was the last time anybody had a face to face with somebody in the MCPON office? How about an engagement at CNAP about how some remote control boat operators received their professional badge before the heroes of Indonesia, Japan, New Orleans, etc…Would NHA allow space for an article about it in Rotor Review? This really is something the sea wall needs engagement on and a lot of what I hear every month is that that may not be happening to the extent that is needed. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Symposium is a great place. Fleet fly-in is a great place, but “union labor” needs to be organized or the gatekeepers will keep that badge at the bottom of the stack until the boss is tired of hearing about it.
On Tue, Mar 17, 2026 at 6:13 PM Harold Brattland <habrattland@arvig.net> wrote:
Don't you have a Retired Navy organization to do some lobbying?
Complaining to each other does nothing!
Does Coast Guard have one for its swimmers? Suggest approval to use theirs....embarrassment might break it loose!! h On 3/17/2026 12:43, mgbrattland@gerlecreek.com wrote:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/16/navy-unmanned-ve...
Interesting that this badge has been approved but the years of work for a SAR Swimmer Badge remains lodged in the CNO bureaucracy and continues to be so inspite of all the work in the rotary community to make it happen…………mgb
_______________________________________________ Helobubbas mailing list --helobubbas@helobubbas.com To unsubscribe send an email tohelobubbas-leave@helobubbas.com
-- <mailto:embrattland@Arvig.net>
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-- untitled Harold & Elaine Brattland //// <mailto:habrattland@Comcast.net>//609 Granger Rd, Detroit Lakes MN 56501-4112 Home Phone 218.846.1283, habrattland@Arvig.net | embrattland@Arvig.net <mailto:embrattland@Arvig.net>
participants (6)
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Bill Personius -
Brian Miller -
Dave Moulton -
David Crossan -
Harold Brattland -
mgbrattland＠gerlecreek.com