A Coastie's Journey
Harper, Ryan
I served in the Coast Guard as a helicopter mechanic and aircrew. Originally from Flowood, MS, I joined in August 2005 and discharged in August 2015. My first station was a 210 foot cutter (ship) in Port Angeles, WA. Then off to training at Airstation Humbolt Bay, CA for mechanic apprenticeship which took me to "A-school" in Elizabeth City, NC. After graduating, went to Air station Boriquen, Puerto Rico for 2 and a half years, Airstation Savannah, GA for 4 years, and Finishing up with Air station New Orleans for my last year years in. Officially saved 14 people directly as aircrew. Now in Aerospace engineering fulfilling a childhood dream.
This is a story of me meeting my cutter (ship) for first time right after boot camp. I had to fly to Mexico and ride it back to my home port in Washington State. This is a "rite of passage" story with many smaller stories linked together.
Operated as a service to all Mississippi State students by the Department of English with the support of the College of Arts and Sciences and the QEP's Maroon and Write program.
Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS 39762 | Main Telephone: (662) 325-2323 | © 2015
Customer Service | Emergencies | IT Status | Jobs | Legal | Ethics Line | Page Maintainer | Updated 9/9/2015