Thunder Bay crewman graduates from prestigious school By Holly Anderson Village Soup Times February 22, 2007 HANSCOM, MASS. -- Eight crewmembers from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay traveled to Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts last week to attend graduation ceremonies for fellow petty officer Grant Tucciarone. Tucciarone, a Coast Guard machinery technician third class, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Airman Leadership School on Feb. 15. Nominated by his ship and selected out of the entire First Coast Guard District, Tucciarone was one of two Coast Guardsmen selected to attend the prestigious school. Lt. Thomas Crane, commanding officer of the Thunder Bay, said thanks to the "mutual respect and a cooperative relationship" between the Coast Guard and Air Force, two of the 10 openings for leadership school were filled by Coast Guardsmen. The leadership school's mission is to prepare senior airmen — and in the case of the Coast Guard, junior petty officers — for positions of responsibility by broadening their leadership, communication and management skills. The school also expands their perspective of the military profession, from a supervisory point of view. Crane said that in November the Thunder Bay nominated Tucciarone to be considered for the school. He and a crewmember from Coast Guard Station Boston were selected from more than 50 applicants. The leadership school lasted five weeks, which culminated in Tucciarone and his fellow students being tested on a variety of supervisory tasks. Crane said Monday that Tucciarone's successful graduation from the school makes him more competitive for further advancements in the Coast Guard. "Grant is currently a third-class petty officer but will be making second class this week," said Crane. "I won't say his advancement was a direct result of his attendance at the school, but it certainly didn't hurt." Tucciarone has been serving aboard the Thunder Bay since June 2004 and is due to transfer this summer. "We do not yet know where he will be going, but he will most assuredly gain a position very high on his 'wish list' or 'dream sheet,'" said Crane. For some Coast Guardsmen, attendance at the prestigious school can be a step toward commanding their own ships some day. But Crane said that is not likely the case for Tucciarone, who hails from Connecticut. As a machinery technician, Tucciarone has followed a career path focusing on the mechanics of the engine rooms of ships, not on the navigation of ships. Crane said that Tucciarone aspires to someday being a chief engineer or engineer officer of a ship. "His first opportunity for that will be when he makes first-class petty officer in another few years," said Crane. Tucciarone and his wife Kathy have a 2-year-old daughter, Maria. He was recently selected Thunder Bay Sailor of the Year. (Archives)