Coast Guardsman Pursues Multiple Qualifications

Petty Officer 3rd Class Duane “Levi” Entz, a Missouri native, reported to Station/Aids-to-Navigation Team Kenosha from Machinery Technician “A” School in February 2012.  He immediately dove into his qualifications just as he had as a fireman at his previous unit, the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance, homeported in Portsmouth, N.H.

“He is a really hard worker,” said STANT Kenosha’s Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Hardison, who also was stationed with Entz on Reliance.  “On the Reliance, he got qualified quickly, and he got a lot of qualifications that were above his paygrade, like throttleman and gangway petty officer of the watch,” he said.  “And now he’s doing the same here at STANT Kenosha.”

Entz is doing what few members at STANT Kenosha have done by getting fully qualified for both search-and-rescue and aids-to-navigation missions.

He quickly obtained his qualifications as a boarding team member, 25-foot Response Boat-Small crewman, and 41-foot Utility Boat crewman and engineer.  He has proven himself to be a valuable asset during SAR cases.  He has already accomplished more in a few short months than others have in a year, and has assumed several collateral duties along the way, such as RB-S boat keeper and hazardous materials petty officer.

Entz is showing no signs of slowing down as he works toward obtaining five more qualifications once he is moved to the ATON Department before the onset of ice rescue season.  His tireless work ethic and motivation has earned him the position of ATON engineering petty officer.

“He is a superb guy,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Timothy Hurd, STANT Kenosha’s engineering petty officer. “He’s the guy that single-handedly worked fourteen hours on the TANB trailer to get the job done.  He’ll be the only person, outside of the command, that is qualified on every boat.  And, that is invaluable to the unit.”

Entz, who is no stranger to coming in to work even on his off days, works hard outside of the Coast Guard as well.  He is currently looking towards finishing his degree in civil engineering and also enjoys volunteering his time with the Special Olympics and coaching youth sports.   But it’s not all work for Entz.  He also makes time for his wife Caitlin and enjoys hunting, fishing, sports, and training his Chesapeake Bay retriever Riley.

“He’s the type of guy you want on your boat crew,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Matt Carey, STANT Kenosha ATON petty officer.  “He always gets the job done and does it without complaint, and he’s just a really valuable asset to the entire unit and the Coast Guard because he leads by example.  I’m looking forward to working with him in the ATON Department.”

Petty Officer Entz’s performance, quality of work, and dedication to duty inspires those around him to work harder and strive toward excellence.  If you ask Entz where he gets his dedication and work ethic from, he attributes it to his family.

“My family raised me to do my best and to work hard for what you want, and if I am going to do something, I want to be the best at it.”