From the Editor - Plenty of stuffing. Sandwiched in between just past Thanksgiving and soon to be Christmas I find my mind’s eye conjuring up a mixed metaphor of stuffed turkeys and stockings as I review the stories we have packed into this issue of the Reservist.
In addition to the many stories about a variety of activities and accomplishments by both individuals and teams of reservists in the Around the Reserve section, a leadership theme permeates this issue. It starts with our cover showing Rear Adm. James Heinz, Director of Reserve, underway in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with Port Security Unit 312. The visit to Guantanamo was part of a week-long visit Adm. Heinz undertook with CG Reserve Force Master Chief Eric Johnson to get a deck plate view of the training and readiness of reservists within the 7th Coast Guard District.
Inside readers will also find an article about the Chief Petty Officer Academy experience as seen through the eyes of two students, Public Affairs Chiefs Rachel Polish and John Masson. There is also an in-person account about the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course authored by Senior Chiefs Michael Mullins and Sarah Foster.
Our Retiree SITREP section captures the story of Lt. Cmdr. Susan Vance, who was a young college student during the tumultuous Vietnam era, about her decision to join the Coast Guard Reserve. Also, both active duty and Reserve retirees can learn about a new Federal Emergency Management Agency initiative specifically designed for Coast Guard retirees. The initiative was championed by former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles ‘Skip’ Bowen. Master Chief Bowen, who is Co-Chair of the CG Retiree Council, offers some thoughts on why retirees might want to give this program a look.
Finally, I had the privilege of interviewing the former United States Senator Sam Nunn who received the prestigious United States Navy Memorial 2014 Loan Sailor Award. A former Coast Guard reservist, Senator Nunn talks about his Coast Guard experience and how it shaped what would be a long and distinguished public service career.
As always, thanks for reading.
Click cover image to download a printable pdf
From the Editor - Just over ten years ago thousands of Coast Guard personnel, myself included, found themselves swept into a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience as part of the response and recovery operations for Hurricane Katrina. The images of the havoc visited upon Gulf Coast imprinted on my brain remain as vivid today as they were when I first landed in Gulfport, Mississippi early in September 2005. Much like the devastation I witnessed in Lower Manhattan four years earlier, it is difficult to find words which adequately describe the destruction I observed in Gulfport and when I reached New Orleans. I continue to marvel at the resilience of those who make that part of the world home and at the selfless efforts of those who came to their aid.
We have dedicated much of this issue to the efforts of those who answered the call. In so doing, we have attempted to create a tapestry, which captures and reflects the demands of successfully operating in such an extraordinarily complex environment. From the proverbial 30,000 foot view provided by former Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, to the deck plate reflections of those who were on scene when Katrina came ashore, to those who would follow on for days, weeks, months and, for some, years later.
Our coverage would not have been possible without the strong support of Public Affairs Specialist from around the Coast Guard. Responding to our request for editorial support, the efforts of these hard working professionals made our editorial vision for Katrina’s 10th anniversary a reality. For that we are truly grateful. We are also grateful to those who were willing to share their personal stories and remembrances.
The historic nature of the Coast Guard’s response to this storm of the century is forever woven into the fabric of what makes our Service such a unique and valuable national institution. To paraphrase a famous World War II quotation, “Never has a service so small done so much for so many.”
Finally, an editorial calendar note: beginning with Issue 1, 2016, we will be shifting our publication date forward by 30 days. The new publications dates will be the first day of February, April, July and November.
Click cover image to read issue, or download a printable pdf.
From the Editor - Summer. A time for cookouts, trips to the beach or lake, and time with family and friends. For the Coast Guard summer means heightened vigilance as recreational boaters take to the tens of thousands of inland and coastal waters across America. For Coast Guard reservists this translates to countless hours of training and local augmentation opportunities as they build and hone their skills. Skills they will need when the inevitable surge or contingency operation arises possibly from a yet to be named hurricane or environmental mishap on or in proximity to a navigable waterway.
In this issue’s Around the Reserve section readers will find a number of articles about Reserve personnel, in concert with their active duty counterparts, preparing for just such eventualities, including a pre-hurricane season exercise at Sector New Orleans and a table-top exercise of a multi-threat event held in the 1st District. Reservists assigned to U.S. Northern Command participate in a national level exercise focused on providing defense support to civil authorities, and members of the Mobile Support Unit demonstrated their capabilities during an exercise at the Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore.
You will also find a story about highly successful Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) training held at Coast Guard Station Charleston. The training focused on reservists assigned within Sector Charleston. And to quote Station Charleston Officer in Charge BMCS Justin Longval, "Reservists greatly benefited from this training - their RB-M platform skills and knowledge increased significantly.
So, as summer season gets into full swing, there is little doubt that reservists will be engaged in a variety of activities from on the job training at local commands to providing mission support where and when and when it is needed. It is our hop to bring you their stories in a future issue.
Finally, we liked to give a "Shout Out!" to the Public Affairs personnel in each district for their continued support, specifically the individual articles on each of the 2014 Enlisted Persons of the Year for the Reserve Component. Without assistance of these public affairs professionals these outstanding enlisted representative would not have received the acknowledgement they justly deserve.
As always, thanks for reading.
Click cover image to download a printable pdf
From the Editor - Just over ten years ago thousands of Coast Guard personnel, myself included, found themselves swept into a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience as part of the response and recovery operations for Hurricane Katrina. The images of the havoc visited upon Gulf Coast imprinted on my brain remain as vivid today as they were when I first landed in Gulfport, Mississippi early in September 2005. Much like the devastation I witnessed in Lower Manhattan four years earlier, it is difficult to find words which adequately describe the destruction I observed in Gulfport and when I reached New Orleans. I continue to marvel at the resilience of those who make that part of the world home and at the selfless efforts of those who came to their aid.
We have dedicated much of this issue to the efforts of those who answered the call. In so doing, we have attempted to create a tapestry, which captures and reflects the demands of successfully operating in such an extraordinarily complex environment. From the proverbial 30,000 foot view provided by former Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, to the deck plate reflections of those who were on scene when Katrina came ashore, to those who would follow on for days, weeks, months and, for some, years later.
Our coverage would not have been possible without the strong support of Public Affairs Specialist from around the Coast Guard. Responding to our request for editorial support, the efforts of these hard working professionals made our editorial vision for Katrina’s 10th anniversary a reality. For that we are truly grateful. We are also grateful to those who were willing to share their personal stories and remembrances.
The historic nature of the Coast Guard’s response to this storm of the century is forever woven into the fabric of what makes our Service such a unique and valuable national institution. To paraphrase a famous World War II quotation, “Never has a service so small done so much for so many.”
Finally, an editorial calendar note: beginning with Issue 1, 2016, we will be shifting our publication date forward by 30 days. The new publications dates will be the first day of February, April, July and November.
Click cover image to download a printable pdf