From the Assistant Editor
I'm back at the helm!
As you're probably already aware, the Magazine has been given a refresh. It's still the same great content, with a new aesthetic. Our creative director, Chris Rose, has been hard at work to streamline and modernize the appearance of our magazine. The last major change happened back in 2006, and he felt it was the perfect opportunity for a change. Do you like the new look? Let us know what you think!
Ms. Devlin is on military leave serving the office of decedent affairs. One of the benefits of being a reservist is the opportunity to take orders to not only assist the Coast Guard, but to also expand your experience within the Service—earning more retirement points along the way.
As reservists, we play the long game. That's partially due to our unwavering commitment to the Reserve, but also, we do a lot of future planning to ensure we're coordinating our service obligations with our civilian career expectations, all the while ensuring we're supporting our families. It's definitely a lesson in time management and work-life balance.
While it's tough drilling and being away from home—missing out on family moments or being away from our civilian jobs—reservists are enjoying their service. When I drill, I look forward to catching up with everyone and hearing what they have going on in both their civilian and Coast Guard lives.
Those soundings with my crew are important (I've missed them since being on ADOS). Not only does it catch me upon who's having babies, who's graduating college, who just finished all their requirements to take the next service wide, but it also completes the picture on what needs to be done for the crew—receiving clarification on parental leave policy, educating members on tuition assistance and GI Bill requirements, or ensuring personnel know where to look up in direct access to determine their service wide eligibility.
Being a new civilian with the federal service, I'm learning–much like that new non-rate or third class petty officer–the onslaught of information and new acronyms can be overwhelming. In spite of my best efforts, I don't know everything. I'm relying on my peers and supervisors to help me along the way.
It's definitely grounded me in the realization that it's okay to ask for help. Those conversations we have with our crew help us share what we know, gauge what we don't, and strive to learn together.
Happy reading.
Chief Heather Scheer, Assistant Editor
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