R 111359Z MAR 13

ALCOAST 103/13
COMDTNOTE 16100
SUBJ: ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS
A. MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25 (SERIES)
1. THIS ALCOAST SOLICITS FOR NOMINEES FOR THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE
AT SEA (AFRAS) 2012 AWARDS.
2. BACKGROUND.
   A. FORMED IN 1976, AFRAS IS A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION WHICH SUPPORTS
SERVICES CONCERNED WITH SAVING LIVES AT SEA. THE AFRAS AWARDS PROGRAM
PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AREA AND DISTRICT COMMANDERS, COMMANDING
OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE TO RECOGNIZE DESERVING COAST GUARD
PERSONNEL FOR BRAVERY IN THE CONDUCT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS.
   B. THE AFRAS GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS ARE THE HIGHEST SEARCH AND
RESCUE AWARDS PRESENTED TO A COAST GUARD MEMBER BY A CIVILIAN
ORGANIZATION.
    (1) GOLD MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 1982, THE GOLD MEDAL IS PRESENTED
ANNUALLY TO A COAST GUARD ENLISTED MAN OR WOMAN FOR AN ACT OF
EXTRAORDINARY BRAVERY DURING A RESCUE AT SEA.
    (2) SILVER MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 2000, THE SILVER MEDAL (SILVER
TO
DENOTE THE UNIFORM MARKINGS OF A COAST GUARD AUXILIARIST AS OPPOSED
TO THE GOLD ON COAST GUARD ACTIVE DUTY UNIFORMS) IS PRESENTED
ANNUALLY TO A DESERVING AUXILIARIST. THE AUXILIARIST MUST HAVE
PERFORMED A RESCUE INVOLVING THE SAVING OF A LIFE OR LIVES FROM
EITHER INLAND OR COASTAL WATERS WHERE THE HEROIC ACTION OF THE
NOMINEE WAS UNIQUELY DISTINGUISHED. HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION WILL BE
GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES INVOLVING LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.
3. AWARDS PRESENTATION. BOTH THE GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS WILL BE
PRESENTED ON 16 OCT 13 AT A CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THIS
CEREMONY IS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AFRAS MEMBERS, THE
COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD AND OTHER SENIOR COAST GUARD PERSONNEL.
THE AWARD RECIPIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND THE
CEREMONY.
4. AFRAS AWARDS ELIGIBILITY. AFRAS ESTABLISHED GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL
AWARD CRITERIA ARE LISTED IN REF (A) AND REPEATED BELOW:
   A. NOMINEES FOR THE GOLD MEDAL MUST BE ENLISTED MEMBERS ON ACTIVE
DUTY AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. NOMINEES FOR THE SILVER MEDAL MUST BE
A COAST GUARD AUXILIARIST AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.
   B. THE EVENT MUST INVOLVE A LIFESAVING RESCUE FROM SEA WHERE THE
HEROIC ACTION OF THE PERSON BEING NOMINATED IS UNIQUELY
DISTINGUISHED. HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES
INVOLVING LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS.
   C. THE LIFESAVING RESCUE MUST HAVE OCCURRED IN CALENDAR YEAR (CY)
12.
5. ADMINISTRATION.
   A. SUBORDINATE UNITS SHOULD SUBMIT NOMINATIONS THROUGH THE CHAIN
OF
COMMAND. DISTRICT AWARDS BOARDS SHOULD REVIEW ALL NOMINATIONS TO
ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE CRITERIA.
   B. NOMINATIONS SHALL CONSIST OF:
    (1) A SHORT COVER LETTER INDICATING THE NAME AND PAY GRATED (IF
APPLICABLE) OF THE NOMINEE, CURRENT DUTY STATION/AUXILIARY FLOTILLA,
AND EXPIRATION OF ENLISTMENT (IF APPLICABLE).
    (2) COAST GUARD AWARD RECOMMENDATION, FORM CG-1650.
    (3) ONE PAGE AWARD CITATION.
    (4) 1-2 PAGE SUMMARY OF ACTION THAT FULLY DOCUMENTS THE EVENT.
    (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION PERTINENT TO AFRAS IN EVALUATING THE
NOMINATION.
   C. MAIL COMMAND ENDORSED NOMINATIONS TO: COMMANDANT (CG-SAR), U.S.
COAST GUARD, 2100 2ND STREET SW, STOP 7363, WASHINGTON, D.C.,
20593-7363. ATTN: AFRAS NOMINATION.
   D. ALL AWARD NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY COMDT (CG-SAR) NLT 18
APR 13.
6. COMDT (CG-SAR) AFRAS AWARDS POC: MS. WILLIE FOSTER (202) 372-2090.
AWARD NOMINATION ADVANCE COPY CAN BE EMAILED TO MS. FOSTER AT:
WILLIE.M.FOSTER(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. ADDITIONAL AFRAS AWARDS INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.AFRAS.ORG.
8. MS. MARY E. LANDRY, DIRECTOR OF INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE
POLICY, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.