Shalom Aleichem!

I have created this thread to link up with all of my Chaverim in the Coast Guard! 

First, let me introduce myself and tell you a little about my career in the Coast Guard.

My name is Mark Lewack (FWIW, I prefer Moshe or Moishe). 

I am a Senior Chief Marine Science Technician.  I am halfway through my 30th year of active
duty in the Coast Guard.  I am currently stationed at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore (since 2002).
On Feb 1, 2007, I will retire from the Coast Guard, but G-d willing I will still serve the Coast Guard
in either a full-time Civilian position or the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Being a Jew in the Coast Guard has been difficult, but I’ve had the pleasure to serve as a Jewish
Lay Leader during the past 7-8 years in the Baltimore - DC area, which has allowed me to connect
with other Jewish Servicemen and women in the area.

I am a Ba’al T’Shuvah, living in Frederick, MD.  I am married to an amazing woman and have
two wonderful stepsons.  We often have Shabbos and Yom Tov gatherings at our home, and
when invited, we attend a wonderful Chabad Shul in Potomac, MD.

I wear a kippah full time in civilian clothes and as a result of command support, am able to
wear a kippah most of the time in uniform, as well.

I look forward to hearing from other Coasties or anyone who’s interested in becoming
a member of the Coast Guard.

L’Hitraot and Gut Voch!

MSTCS Moishe Lewack
Semper Paratus!

Here in NY there was a big issue. A chasid was in the Coast Guard and he wanted to wear a yarmulka. Being that the CG is not under the DOD there is no directive allowing him to wear it. I don’t know what the end of the story was but there were many hearings regarding the matter and trying to get either a directive added or changed to allow for it.

I find the yarmulke issue intersting as the DOD is commissioning us to produce them in the new digital uniforms.  They are now available in Woodland Camouflage, Desert Camouflage, Woodland digital and Desert digital.  ACU is being added shortly.

Why offer so many yarmulkes when you can’t wear them?

Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor

The wearing of a yarmulke while in uniform is on a fast-track to becoming a non-issue, thanks to a Chassid in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and N.Y. State Assemblyman Dov Hikind. 

A Coast Guard Public Affairs Spokesperson, a fellow Chief, says that the uniform regulations
are being revised to allow for the wearing of religious apparel including yarmulkes, as long
as they do not impede with the proper wearing of the uniform.

Here is a link to an article that addresses this change of heart by the Coast Guard:
http://www.nysun.com/article/37494

While I don’t often agree with Sen. John Kerry, esp. on political issues, he was quoted in
the article as saying: “A yarmulke doesn’t impact anyone’s ability to serve our country.
No one should ever have to choose between honoring their religion and keeping their job,
especially our servicemen and women.”

When I entered the service, I took an oath to serve G-d and country.  In keeping with this
oath, I not only proudly wear my yarmulke in uniform (I was granted permission by my
command), but I also try my best to honor the Sabbath and Laws of Kashrus.  I am a Jewish
Lay Leader on my base (the Coast Guard Yard). As for service to my country, I do not
consider myself one of the Coast Guard’s top performers or leaders (nor do I put myself
in the same category as those who engage in combat or serve in combat zones overseas)
but I have proudly served for almost 30 years and am scheduled to retire at the end of January 2007.

Semper Paratus,
Senior Chief Mark (Moishe) Lewack

Yes, this was the incident I was reffering to.

I am all for wearing kippahs in Uniform.  Now that they have the new digital patterns, I’ll have to order me one!

Senior Chief Lewack, one note on the oath you took.  If it’s the same oath the DOD takes, you do not in fact make an oath to serve God.  You do make an oath to support and defend the constitution of the united states (country).  However the reference to God is “so help me God”, which I guess is asking him to help you with the promise you just made about the country part.

Because you invoke God and it is a solemn oath, I just thought I’d raise this important point.

Taiyas

SCPO Lewack,

Thanks for the link to that story.  I will write a piece about it on the main webpage.

Speaking of other stories… we only have one Coast Guardsman in our Featured Jews section, if you want to add to that, submit an application here.

By the way, I think it’s great that you (and others) choose to wear a kippah in uniform.  We all have to make our own choices, but with so many Jews that completely hide their Judaism, it is great to hear about those who wear their Judaism with pride.  I’m very open about my Judaism (it’s important to make myself known as a lay leader), but I’ve yet to wear a kippah on a daily basis in uniform.  I wish I was there, but I’m not.

It has nothing to do with being ashamed, but in an occupation where you are razzed for anything that strays from the norm, I tend to keep a low profile.  Someday I may change my prctice, but for now I stick to the standard issue cover while in uniform.  Wearing a kippah (daily) was never a practice of mine prior to joining, so it is not a large sacrifice for me.  However, I admire those that do value this and stick to their guns when it comes to observing it in the service.

B"H, B"SD

LT Rubin et. al:

Thanks for the kind words and guiding light:

The wearing of the kippah is only a small, but important token of being proud
of one’s Judaism.  Nevertheless, those who do not wear a kippah in uniform
(IMHO) have nothing to be regretful of, if they try to do Mitzvot and adhere to
other Rabbinical laws (or in other ways display their adherence to laws and/or
customs of Yiddishkeit).

It’s my opinion, that those who are leery of declaring themselves Jews or
demonstrate strong ties to Judaism while in uniform is a shonda (shame). 
For the sake of our children, and our children’s children and their progeny,
we must demonstrate adherence to the values espoused in Torah and
Rabbinical law.  Hashem knows that it is easy in an open society, as is
the case here in America, to want to assimilate, but if we are strong
in our faith and deeds and demonstrate these to the people around us,
then we have no reason to hide our faith.  G-d knows other have no
regrets about sharing their faiths with us.

I certainly am far from being the shining light unto other Jews, but I know
that if I give in to my weaknesses, then I am not only letting myself down
but I am also letting other Jews down. 

I am proud of those Jews who serve their country with pride and wear the
uniform well.  I wish I could have served with the distinction that many of you
have done.

Semper Fi .... (to my Marine comrades).....
Semper Paratus (to my Coast Guard comrades) ....
Go ARMY, AIR FORCE, and NAVY (and National Guard).....

SCPO Moishe (Mark) Lewack

I remember in my “pre-active duty” days the recruiter who recruited me was a Jewish W4 at the Philadelphia Marine Inspection Office.

The W4 pay clerk at OCS (Yorktown in those days) was Jewish (even wore a kippah), and two of the OCS instructors were Jewish.

Two of the junior officers in (what is now) Sector New Orleans ultimately ended up as administrators of Jewish Day Schools (one lubavitch, the other Schechter).

When I transferred to CGHQ, there was a lunch time basketball league—RADM Price was the spark plug. I fouled the Admiral once - started toi apologize and he chuckled and said “On the basketball court we’re all the same.”

I enjoyed my CG tour - stayed in the Reserves and now in the CGAUX.