Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love

I PASS!

HAPPY READING!!!

SPREADING POSTIVITY!!!

Thank you Lord, I thank you for your many blessing. Lord, you have continually put me in the right places at the right time to learn the right skills to continue this growing process, for that I’m thankful. As of Nov. 6, I’m finally a MARINE ENGINEER. Secondly, I would like to thank my beautiful wife Patricia H Johnson my better half, my queen, my diligently number 1 supporter, my number 1 cheerleader, my number 1 fan, etc. Many days you would remind me I needed to be studying, because usually I’m all over the place. Sweetheart I promised you, I would pass these exams and get these license and God made sure I kept that promise. Honey, you have been a blessing in my life, this is for us, our opportunity, there’s no better woman to share it with than you. You have diligently been patient with me working industry since day one, that’s why we deserve this opportunity. My sweet lady, thanks for your love and support, “let’s plan our celebration, just the 2 of us.”

Next, I would like to thank my other 2 number 1 cheerleaders: my beautiful mother Lena Johnson and my beautiful grandmother Rosetta Henderson. I appreciate you ladies for not giving up on me and being a blessing in my life. During my teenage years, I made a promise to my mother that I was going to be successful and I was going to make something out of myself, she’s the reason why I don’t quit and I don’t give up. I have to acknowledge both my grandfathers: Ira Johnson and Walter J. Henderson Sr. Mr. Johnson, although we never met, I have heard many great stories about you, truly a self-made man in your own right. Mr. Henderson Sr.; I appreciate and will always remember then times we were able to spend with you and grandma as kids, the best times in life. Also Mr. Henderson Sr., those prolific words you spoke many years ago have truly became relevant. Just a reminder; “the day with come where man will no longer work with his hands but he has to work with his mind.” Continuing this thankful process, I would like show appreciation for my 2 long time mentors; Walter J. Henderson Jr. “Uncle Doug” & Eric Davis “Uncle Eric.” Anytime I ask of them a question or for advice, they willfully address my concerns. Carrying on to the uncle that assisted in me getting in this industry back in 2006, thanks’ again Uncle Marcellus Henderson. UNK, this achievement is dedicated to you in your memory, I will always love you and you will never be forgotten. In recognition of my older brother (Shawn Johnson), I appreciate your continual support and continued advice and I love you “bro,” I got them books you advise me to get and I will continue studying them. This post is dedicated to my father (David Johnson), I appreciate you for lighting that fire in me many years to succeed at all cost and I love you for that. I admire the fact that even with you getting up in age, you still try to learn something new. I will never forget what told me; “if I’m going to school for or learning something, you need to make sure you know it.” “Father,” I know it makes you proud to know that your hobbies led to the career path of 2 of your sons, one an electrician and the other is a marine engineer. Also I would like to express gratitude to the host of friends that provided words of encouragement and support and I can’t forget them faithful uniform service member that ask me at least twice week, “Jessy, how’s your studying coming and I would simply reply by saying, “it’s coming or it’s coming good!’”

I been on the trail for these license for 4 long years. This is by far the most stressful thing I have ever taken on; Lord I appreciate your guiding light. “KEEP READING!” When I started with this particular company, I promise my older cousin (Raymond Patterson) because he was willing to introduces me to the hiring manager, I was going to the top, all I needed was to be provided is the opportunity, I’m willing to put in the necessary work.

This have been a very rough road; I have learned a lot. A lot of ups and downs; highs and lows. One of the ways to qualify to sit for these license, one has to accumulate around 8,640 apprenticeship hours. Then you seek approval from the federal government to test, in my case 3rd Assistant Engineer. The approval is only good for a year and then one would have to reapply if they don’t pass or test within that year. I attempted these five exams (70 ques. each) 3 times before (once in 2014 and twice in 2015); the worse thing to hear from the Coast Guard personnel is those soul ripping words, (YOU FELL!). In 2016, I didn’t even go. When I return home, I didn’t want to talk about it. “DON’T STOP!” Then when I return to work and I had to face my crew members and had to tell them, I didn’t make it. THEY WOULD SAY, “MAN, ‘DON’T STOP STUDYING,’ YOU WILL GET IT, JUST DON’T STOP STUDYING.” So, with my non quitting attitude, I would continue on. I have mad respect for the guys that I have worked with over these 11 plus years in the maritime industry because all we have is each other when we out there. A lot people wouldn’t understand the intricate details of the job and progression within it. Steve Palmer, my brother at sea, I will always appreciate working with you and the knowledge I have been able to gain by doing so. Lee Daniels, man I appreciate the advice you gave me while in Guam. And the many other Engineers and other guys that I have worked with, I appreciate the support. Peter Prizer, I appreciate working with you and the knowledge that I was able to learn. Demetrius Adams its now your turn.

After FELL number 3 in 2015, the company issued pay cuts because of the down turn of the market but I wouldn’t quit. The “Lord” wouldn’t allow me to quit. Sometime we can’t allow money to make our decisions. I wasn’t about to give up the opportunity. After reevaluation of the situation, like Dr. Eric Thomas said, “IT IS A FOCUS ISSUE.” I had to remove all distractions and give all my focus to passing these 5 exams. “MAN, WHY IS THIS POST SO LONG!” Strategy is key, the door swung open in Mar 17 until June 17 (I focus on nothing but working out the math problems). In July 17, I couldn’t get in any study time because on some ships time isn’t available. During Aug 17, I wrapped up the working out of the math problems. I finally made it to a prime location (A GOOD SHIP) to maximize the study time, “PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT.” 2 or 4-hour of studying a day wasn’t cutting it, I push that number to 8, then 10, and then 13 hours a day, with small breaks. “THERES NO SUCH THING AS TO MUCH STUDYING.” To succeed, be willing to adjust your study habits to your needs, be willing to accept positive suggestions and go for it. “DON’T QUIT!” A few things I knew I had at my disposal was as follow: an intense level of focus; obsessiveness; observing particulars in the details; I will not quit; and “thanks to Uncle Sam”, I only sleep 6 hours a day. I would whether over study than be told, I “FELL” again.

There was so many variables working against me in this situation, but one need to be willing to defeat them in detail. And, while on the ship in Guam, my laptop stops working, “are you serious.” Just a small set back, “though,” I bought another one and had it replaced in a few days, at that point nothing could stop me. I had zero in on my target, my only thought was the accomplishment of my mission. I love being in the trenches taking suppressive fire. Studying multiple subjects is nerve wrecking, especially when they cross different professions. For some reason the Coast Guard love them word play question (the ole bait & switch); those questions and answers that look similar; and now they are changing the location of the answers in the questions. I like that challenge. Continuing on, I had to take my exams on consecutive days, minimum two exams a day, and no testing over the weekend. So it was in my best interest to set the exam appointment on Mon. – Wed. The USCG REC in Hawaii gave me 2 days for testing and I told the captain of the ship I was on, “just give me one day, that’s all I need.” Oct. 11, I thank God I finally heard them words, “(YOU PASS!).”

General Engineering Subjects – PASS

Motors 1 – PASS 

Engineering Safety – PASS 

Motors 2 – PASS 

Electrical, Electronic, & Control Engineering – FAIL, 11 of Oct. (miss by 1)

Remember, I said strategy is key. I knew I had to pass 3 exams to continue my exam cycle. But I set my minimum pass amount to 4, which gave me an 80% completion. There for increasing the probability of success, at that point (passing 4 out of 5), I had a 66.6% chance of pass rate for the Electrical, Electronic, & Control Engineering exam. “THOSE ARE GOOD ODDS!” Once I started the exam cycle, I had only 90 days to pass all my exams. Returning to the ship fill with joy but self-discipline kick in reminding me of my mission. The next day the studying continues (13 hours a day with small breaks), this time just Electrical, Electronic, & Control Engineering thought and I already knew I was going to finish my exam cycle in Memphis, Tenn. “WHY THIS POST SO LONG!” Upon getting to Alabama Oct. 20, for the first week, I studied very little and then left for Memphis on the 29 of Oct. “PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT,” increasing the study time to 15 hours a day with small breaks, while in Memphis to counter balance my 66.6% chance of pass rate. Basically for every study hour over 2 hours a day was increasing my chance of pass rate. On 6 of Nov, that excessive studying paid off in full with me officially passing my final exam (Electrical, Electronic, & Control Engineering). What a joy and an awesome feeling to have and an enormous burden lifted off one’s shoulder.

Proverbs 3:33

The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

Electrical, Electronic, & Control Engineering – PASS (6 of Nov.)

Well Lord, you know the reasons why I wanted this opportunity, if it’s your will can you bless my beautiful wife and I with the opportunity to become parents, so we can turn this house into a home.

A problem is not problem when you break it down to each of the minutest of detail and then conquer each incremental detail piece by piece. Uncle Sam always preach the importance of this skill (Defeat in detail). There are only solutions not excuses! I’m still looking for the word “CAN’T” in the bible and haven’t located it yet.

Proverbs 10:4

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

With all things considered; to the youngsters reading this post, you don’t have to have a lot of resources, to make it happen (I thought I needed time off to focus on my studying but I was wrong). There’s no easy way to doing anything, just hard work and dedication. One should stop expecting anything from anyone, because if you are, “you are doom for failure.” Off course; we are dealing with a spoil generation, that seems to misunderstand the value of hard work. Following your friends will not lead to success, sometime you have to be a trailblazer, “those glorious words of Robert Frost, ‘The Road Not Taken,’” are by for the road to success. Success is not to be fear but embrace. It is a lonely road but the rewards are well worth the journey; sorry, your smartphone does not have all the answers. After embracing the proper mindset take your plans before God; be willing to put in the hard work as well as long days; have a determining will to succeed; know your reason why; have the right cheerleaders; and having heart are all important factors. People don’t invent things because they are smarter but they invent things out of a necessity. Being at a disadvantage gives you a stronger advantage to succeed, many greats are willing to co-sign that thought. Don’t aspect people to be able to help you, God will send the right ones your way. Also: you should plan well; build a solid strategy; and adjust it as needed. It’s not about black and white; it’s do or don’t & go getters or quitters. “YOU DECIDE!”