R 171148Z JAN 13 ALCOAST 017/13 COMDTNOTE 5354 SUBJ: OPERATIONAL TASKING (OPTASK) DIVERSITY FY2013 SITREP ONE A. Commandants Leadership, Excellence, and Diversity Council and Leadership and Diversity Advisory Councils, COMDTINST 5350.9 B. U.S. Coast Guard Diversity Strategic Plan C. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program, COMDTINST M1754.10 (series) D. Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion, Executive Order 13583 E. COMCOGARD PSC ARLINGTON VA 251221Z OCT 12/ALCGPSC 139/12 1. As Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS), I am pleased to continue to share some of our latest efforts to operationalize the Commandants Diversity Strategy. Our Leadership, Excellence, and Diversity (LEAD) Council held a very productive meeting in October to address issues that impact command climate and workplace culture. Efforts also continue to establish a robust Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council (LDAC) network throughout the field. At this time, IAW REF A, all LDACs should be formed and functioning across the Coast Guard. Commands needing assistance establishing their LDAC should review REF A and act immediately. Amplifying information can be found by visiting www.uscg.mil/diversity/LEAD.asp. 2. REF B requires that quarterly progress reports and updates be submitted to me. The following highlights reflect recent progress in achieving Diversity Strategic Plan goals from around the Service. A. The Coast Guard participated in over 40 diversity events in order to expand outreach and recognize our personnel. Twelve Coast Guard members received awards for their superior performance and accomplishments at the Great Minds in STEM Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference and Women of Color STEM Conference. Recognition such as this displays a commitment to retaining our talented junior and mid-grade workforce. More information on the awardees and their awards can be found at www.uscg.mil/diversity. (Goals 3 and 4) B. Recognizing that preventing and responding to sexual assault is a leadership issue, the Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council (LDAC) designated Sexual Assault Victim Advocates within the DCO organization to assist in responding to reports of sexual assault. Advocates such as these participate in the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Training and are tasked with supporting sexual assault victims and in making improvements to the reporting process. REF C and additional information on the SAPR Program are located at www.uscg.mil/hr/cg111/rape(underscore)sexual(underscore)assault.asp. (Goal 2) C. The Coast Guard Academy Chief Diversity Officer provided a newly developed cultural competence awareness training focusing on the diversity and inclusion imperative at the individual and organizational levels as a means to operationalize REF D into our everyday activities. The interactive five hour training session was incorporated into the Midgrade Officer Career Transition Course and similar modules are incorporated into other Leadership Development Center course curricula. The Presidents Executive Order, REF D is available on the COMDT (CG-12B) website at www.uscg.mil/diversity. (Goals 1 and 5) D. Sector Guam continued active participation in outreach programs in the Merizo Village by delivering holiday presents to 134 children in need through the islands Angel Tree program. Providing extensive interaction with village members through various community service projects, their exemplary involvement celebrates local cultures, solidifies partnerships, and provides the community with a heightened understanding of the Coast Guard and our mission. This effort supports REF E. Information provided by service members to prospective candidates is one of our most effective and productive means of recruiting. Efforts such as this are greatly appreciated and will continue to ensure we attract to the Coast Guard the best talent our nation offers. REF E is available at www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcgpsc/139-12(underscore)alcgpsc.txt. (Goal 3) 3. Thank you for all of your leadership efforts to amplify the importance of diversity and inclusion. I encourage you to provide your accomplishments and initiatives to your LDAC representatives and LEAD Council members to have them highlighted in future OPTASK Diversity messages. 4. Point of contact: CAPT Lori Mathieu, COMDT (CG-12B), Lori.A.Mathieu(at)uscg.mil, 202-475-5245. 5. VADM Manson K. Brown, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, sends. 6. Internet release authorized.