R 031744Z MAR 10

ALCGPSC 016/10
SUBJ:  RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MANAGING RISKS IN MWR PROGRAMS
A.  COAST GUARD MORALE, WELL-BEING, AND RECREATION MANUAL,
COMDTINST M1710.13 (SERIES)
B.  NONAPPROPRIATED FUND INSTRUMENTALITIES (NAFI) MANUAL, COMDTINST
M7010.5 (SERIES)
1.  THIS MESSAGE CALLS COMMAND ATTENTION TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED
WITH MORALE, WELL-BEING, AND RECREATION (MWR) ACTIVITIES.  EVERY
COAST GUARD LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MORALE AND WELL BEING OF
COAST GUARD MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES UNDER THEIR CHARGE.  THE
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN OUR MWR PROGRAMS, AS DEFINED IN
CHAPTERS 4 AND 5 OF REF A, PROVIDE EXCELLENT BENEFITS TO SUPPORT
THE MISSION READINESS AND THE NEEDS OF OUR PATRONS.
2.  IN DELIVERING MWR PROGRAMS, EACH COMMAND CADRE MUST FULLY
UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS, COMPLEXITIES, AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
THESE ACTIVITIES SO THAT THEIR PROGRAMS PROVIDE ENJOYABLE BREAKS
FROM THE WORKPLACE WHILE MINIMIZING RISK.  A SIGNIFICANT RISK
MITIGATION CHOICE THE COMMAND MAKES IS DECIDING WHO MANAGES AND
OPERATES YOUR MWR PROGRAMS.  COMMANDS CHOOSING TO OPERATE MWR
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, DEFINED AS CATEGORY C MWR ACTIVITIES IN
CHAPTER 4 OF REF A, NEED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES
INVOLVED IN MANAGING THESE ACTIVITIES AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR
TECHNICAL BUSINESS COMPETENCIES NOT TYPICALLY FOUND IN OUR
GUARDIANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ASSIGNED ON A COLLATERAL DUTY BASIS.
IN MANY CASES, CG PERSONNEL DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME IN THESE
COLLATERAL DUTY MWR ASSIGNMENTS TO GAIN THESE NECESSARY
COMPETENCIES PRIOR TO THEIR ROTATION.  FOR EXAMPLE, CATEGORY C MWR
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE REQUIRE
COMPETENCIES IN NAF ACCOUNTING, NAF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, FOOD
SAFETY, RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SERVICE, LOSS PREVENTION, INVENTORY
MANAGEMENT, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, TO NAME A FEW.  THESE
COMPETENCIES TEND TO BE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF MOST DUTIES ASSIGNED
TO CG PERSONNEL.
3.  EVEN COMMONPLACE MWR ACTIVITIES CARRY A RISK COMPONENT.  OUR
FITNESS EQUIPMENT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES MUST BE OPERATED
PROPERLY AND MAINTAINED IN SOUND WORKING ORDER TO ENSURE SAFETY.
AQUATIC FACILITIES POSE UNIQUE SAFETY RISKS REQUIRING SPECIAL
ATTENTION.  RETAIL OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE COAST GUARD EXCHANGE
SYSTEM POSE UNIQUE BUSINESS RISKS, WHICH IS WHY THEY MUST BE
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMAND PRIOR TO OPERATING.
4.  I URGE COMMANDERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS, AND OFFICERS IN CHARGE
TO THOROUGHLY REVIEW THEIR QUARTERLY MWR REPORTS.  I ENCOURAGE
FREQUENT MWR SITE VISITS TO ENSURE MWR STAFFS ARE FULFILLING THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES.  COMMANDS MUST BE READY TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT
DECISION TO STOP PROVIDING ACTIVITIES IF THEY CARRY UNACCEPTABLE
RISKS.  COMMAND INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL TO ENSURE OUR MWR PROGRAMS ARE
WELL RUN AND PROVIDE GOOD VALUE FOR OUR PATRONS AT ACCEPTABLE
LEVELS OF RISK.
5.  RDML DANIEL A. NEPTUN, COMMANDER, CG PERSONNEL SERVICE CENTER, SENDS.
6.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.