R 131934Z FEB 12

ALCOAST 072/12
COMDTNOTE 7100
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 20 - FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET
1. SHIPMATES, TODAY THE PRESIDENT DELIVERED THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2013
BUDGET TO CONGRESS. THE ANNUAL BUDGET IMPACTS EVERY PART OF OUR
SERVICE AND ALL COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. THE PRESIDENTS BUDGET ALIGNS
OUR NATIONS RESOURCES TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES.
2. THE FY 2013 REQUEST WOULD DECREASE OUR BUDGET BY 338 MILLION
DOLLARS OR ABOUT 3.9 PERCENT.  THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE PAST DECADE
OF GROWTH, BUT REFLECTS THE REALITY OF THE MARKED SHIFT IN THE FISCAL
CLIMATE. THIS REDUCTION SHOULD NOT BE PERCEIVED AS A JUDGMENT ON THE
VALUE OF SERVICE WE PROVIDE TO THE NATION, BUT RATHER A RECOGNITION
OF THE FISCAL CONSTRAINTS THE NATION FACES. WE WILL MAKE
WELL-INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE OUR RESOURCES, WITH THE
PRIORITIES OF RESPONSIBLY REBUILDING THE COAST GUARD, EFFICIENTLY
PRESERVING FRONT-LINE OPERATIONS, STRENGTHENING RESOURCE AND
OPERATIONAL STEWARDSHIP, AND PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE.
3. THE PRESIDENTS BUDGET SUPPORTS THIS EFFORT BY REQUESTING 8.3
BILLION DOLLARS IN DISCRETIONARY FUNDING FOR THE COAST GUARD,
INCLUDING 6.8 BILLION DOLLARS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND 1.2 BILLION
DOLLARS TO CONTINUE RECAPITALIZING OUR FLEET OF CUTTERS, AIRCRAFT,
BOATS, C4ISR EQUIPMENT AND SHORE INFRASTRUCTURE.
4. I URGE YOU TO READ A MORE DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE FY 2013
BUDGET, IN THE COAST GUARD POSTURE STATEMENT AND BUDGET-IN-BRIEF AT
WWW.USCG.MIL/POSTURESTATEMENT.
5. OUR MISSION SUCCESS OVER THE PAST YEAR DEMONSTRATES AMERICAS NEED
FOR A STRONG, CAPABLE COAST GUARD HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. IN THE
COMING WEEKS, I WILL HIGHLIGHT THAT NEED AS I TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS
ON THE FY 2013 PRESIDENTS BUDGET, THE CHALLENGES WE FACE AS A
SERVICE, AND THE COAST GUARDS CONTINUED VALUE TO THE NATION.
6. SEMPER PARATUS. STAND A TAUT WATCH.
7. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.