RESERVIST MAGAZINE AROUND THE RESERVE The reservists answering the call at Station Cape Disappointment, (l. to r.) Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Morrissey, Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip Deuchle, Chief Petty Officer Brady Vanderpol, Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Wilson, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Kasandra Perdew. Photo courtesy Station Cape Disappointment Reservists answer the call at Station Cape Disappointment Chief Petty Officer Brady Vanderpol got a call early one Sunday morning from the executive petty officer of Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash. The unit had just experienced the loss of a shipmate, and the command needed to give the crew some respite. “He said, ‘Is there any way you can get a crew of reservists together?” said Vanderpol, a Cape D reservist for the last six years. “He knew that it would be helpful to have some familiar faces around while they processed things.” The chief, a stay-at-home dad who works part time at a brewery, made quick plans to take his kids to their grandparents. Working with his Reserve Force Readiness Staff officer, Vanderpol began making calls until he had a crew of five who could take leave from their jobs in construction, manufacturing, security, and law. “Our RPA [Lt. Brendan Rogers] really went to bat,” said Vanderpol. “He managed to get everyone to commit funds and get orders by that evening. First thing Monday, a few of our guys had to go into work to wrap things up [with their civilian jobs], but we were all at the station Monday afternoon with orders in hand, activated within 24 hours.” The reserve crew took over the station’s 29-foot boats while the neighboring Motor Lifeboat School took over the missions that would require the 47-foot boats, and the nearby sector took the communications watch. 8 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2020 Over the next two weeks, Vanderpol and his crew— comprising two coxswains, two boarding team members, two boat crewmembers and one boarding officer—executed search and rescue cases, conducted boardings when required, and completed the station’s normal patrol schedule. The crew spent more than 40 hours underway over their time at the station and directed training toward additional qualifications. “We only sent certified people down, because we knew we’d be running a minimal crew, but we got a lot of our currencies done, and one of our break-in coxswains completed half of his [tasks],” said the chief. “With our [two weeks of] ADT this August, he should be making coxswain.” Station Cape Disappointment posted their appreciation for their reservists on social media: “Thank you BMC Brady Vanderpol, ME1 Phillip Deuchle, BM1 Daniel Morrissey, ME3 Kasandra Perdew, and BM3 Alex Wilson for being here and helping us out the last few weeks. We couldn’t have done it without you!” Vanderpol said his crew was glad they could be there for their shipmates. “This was an opportunity we don’t normally get,” said Vanderpol. “I’m a big proponent of being on the same team, and when your team needs you, you go and "make it work." �
