Yes, sir, Chief, against all logic the Coast Guard made this former Navy petty officer an officer and alleged gentleman.

They had a special program for awhile that offered a commission to NCOs in the other services who had certain skills that were useful to the Coast Guard. In my officer training class there were a couple of Air Force NCOs, an Army guy and a few other Navy men. I guess the only ones who didn't jump ship were the Marines. I don't recall ever running into a former Marine in the Coast Guard.