R 181706Z MAY 12

ALCOAST 252/12
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: VICE COMMANDANT CHANGE OF WATCH
1. Shipmates, today I had the distinct pleasure of presiding over a
change of watch ceremony in Washington, DC, where VADM John Currier
relieved VADM Sally Brice-OHara to become the 28th Vice Commandant of
the U.S. Coast Guard.  I was also honored to participate in VADM
Brice-OHaras retirement following the relief.
2. VADM Brice-OHaras distinguished career spanned 37.5 years of
exceptional service to our great Nation.  She graduated from Officer
Candidate School in 1975 and commanded Station Cape May, Group
Baltimore and Recruit Training Center Cape May.  Her Flag assignments
included Director of Reserve and Training, Director of Personnel
Management, Commander of the Fifth District, Commander of the
Fourteenth District, and Deputy Commandant for Operations.  As the
27th Vice Commandant, she implemented the Commandants Direction 2011,
managed internal organizational governance, and served as the Coast
Guards Component Acquisition Executive.  She oversaw service-wide
operations and mission support functions during the Coast Guards
response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of national significance,
implemented the repeal of the Dont Ask Dont Tell Policy, and managed
the recapitalization program to replace aging ships, boats and
aircraft.  She is a true Shipmate in every sense of the word and an
inspirational role model for everyone in our Service.  I am
personally indebted to her for selfless dedication to our Service,
and for her committed partnership and good counsel provided to me
over the past two years. The Nation owes her a debt of gratitude for
her dedication to duty and to our Nation. On behalf of all the women,
men and families of the United States Coast Guard, Linda and I wish
Vice Admiral Brice-OHara and her husband Bob OHara fair winds and
smooth seas as they advance their trackline on a new course heading.
3. VADM Currier becomes the 28th Vice Commandant after serving as the
Coast Guards first Deputy Commandant for Mission Support where he was
responsible for oversight of resources, engineering, acquisition,
telecommunications and information technology.  VADM Currier is a
veteran aviator with over 6000 flight hours in Coast Guard and Navy
fixed and rotary wing aircraft.  He is currently the Ancient
Albatross: the longest serving Coast Guard Aviator on active duty.
As a Flag officer, VADM Currier also served as Assistant Commandant
for Acquisition, Commander of the Thirteenth District and Coast Guard
Chief of Staff.  Linda and I look forward to his continued leadership
and commitment, along with his wife Mary Jane, to the men, women and
families of the Coast Guard.
4. As a maritime service, we all know that relieving the watch is a
normal part of our routine.  This is true for senior leadership as
well, where a relief also marks an opportunity to recommit ourselves
to excellence in operations and mission support, while preparing for
the future.
5. Stand a taut watch.  Semper Paratus.
6. ADM Bob Papp, Commandant, sends.
7. Internet Release Authorized.