R 251450Z MAY 10

ALCOAST 262/10
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: VICE COMMANDANT CHANGE OF WATCH
1. YESTERDAY I PRESIDED AT THE CHANGE OF WATCH CEREMONY WHERE
VADM DAVID P. PEKOSKE WAS RELIEVED BY VADM SALLY BRICE-OHARA AS VICE
COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD.
2. VADM PEKOSKE SERVED WITH DISTINCTION FOR MORE THAN 33 YEARS, IN
COMMAND BOTH AFLOAT AND ASHORE, AND INCLUDING FLAG-LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS
AS THE COMMANDER OF THE FIRST COAST GUARD DISTRICT, THE ASSISTANT
COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS, AND COMMANDER OF THE PACIFIC AREA AND
COAST GUARD DEFENSE FORCES WEST. AS THE VICE COMMANDANT AND CHIEF
OPERATING OFFICER, VICE ADMIRAL PEKOSKE EXECUTED MY STRATEGIC AGENDA,
MANAGED INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND FOSTERED A
CHANGE-CENTRIC LEARNING CULTURE THAT IS HIGHLY ADAPTIVE TO NEW
REQUIREMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES. HE WAS THE SINGLE POINT OF
INTEGRATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT, ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT,
CROSS-PROGRAMMATIC ISSUE RESOLUTION, AND UNITY OF PURPOSE IN
DELIVERING EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICES TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
AND TO COAST GUARD MEMBERS. HIS EXCEPTIONAL JUDGMENT AND TRUSTED
COUNSEL HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE ASSETS TO ME AND THE COAST GUARD. ON
BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE SERVICE AND A GRATEFUL NATION, I WISH VADM
PEKOSKE AND HIS FAMILY THE VERY BEST IN RETIREMENT.
3. I GLADLY WELCOME VADM BRICE-OHARA TO HER NEW POST. SHE MOST
RECENTLY SERVED AS MY DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS WHERE SHE WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING, POLICY AND RESOURCING FOR ALL OF
THE COAST GUARDS OPERATING PROGRAMS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HER
LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE IN HELPING THE COAST GUARD MODERNIZE WHILE
EXECUTING OUR BROAD MISSION SET.
4. LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS ARE A NECESSARY AND HEALTHY PART OF
MILITARY SERVICE. LEADERS COME AND GO, BUT THE COAST GUARDS
COMMITMENT TO BEING ALWAYS READY IS CONSTANT. ANCHORED BY OUR
GUARDIAN ETHOS TO PROTECT, SAVE, AND DEFEND THE MARITIME PUBLIC, AND
BY OUR CORE VALUES OF HONOR, RESPECT AND DEVOTION TO DUTY, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO MEET THE MARITIME CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
5. RELEASED BY ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.