R 251853Z MAY 10

ALCOAST 265/10
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 1: SETTING THE WATCH
1. I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS THE 24TH COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD.
WHEN I ASSUMED THE DUTIES FROM ADM THAD ALLEN AT NOON TODAY, IT
CONCLUDED A SERIES OF KEY ROTATIONS AND MARKED THE SETTING OF A NEW
WATCH TO LEAD OUR SERVICE.
2. SERVING WITH ME ON THIS WATCH ARE VADM SALLY BRICE-OHARA, VCG,
MASTER CHIEF MICHAEL LEAVITT, MCPO-CG  AND MASTER CHIEF MARK ALLEN,
MCPO-CGRF. EACH ASSUMED THEIR DUTIES OVER THE PAST 10 DAYS. THEY ARE
ALL VERY EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE BEEN TRIED AND TESTED IN
THE FIELD.  WE ARE ALSO JOINED BY VADM ROBERT PARKER, LANTAREA,
VADM MANSON BROWN, PACAREA, VADM JOHN CURRIER, CHIEF OF STAFF/FUTURE
DCMS AND RADM BRIAN SALERNO, DCO. I AM PROUD TO SERVE ALONG SIDE THIS
EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED GROUP OF LEADERS.
3. MY WATCH WILL BE GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING VISION FOR OUR SERVICE:
QUOTE. WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR MISSIONS, PEOPLE AND HERITAGE. WE WILL
SELFLESSLY SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND PERFORM OUR DUTIES IN A MANNER THAT
SECURES THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF MARINERS AND CITIZENS ALIKE. WE
WILL SET A COURSE THAT STEADIES THE SERVICE, HONORS OUR PROFESSION,
STRENGTHENS OUR PARTNERSHIPS, AND RESPECTS OUR SHIPMATES. UNQUOTE.
4. THIS VISION WILL BE ACHIEVED BY THE INCOMING WATCH THROUGH CLEAR
FOCUS ON SELECT PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES CURRENTLY UNDER WAY IN OUR
SERVICE. INSTEAD OF CREATING NEW TASKING, WE INTEND TO EMPHASIZE
VITAL INITIATIVES, LEVERAGE TEAMS THAT ARE IN PLACE NOW AND MOVE
THESE EFFORTS FORWARD TO COMPLETION. I WILL PROVIDE MORE SPECIFICS IN
THE COMING WEEKS.
5. I OFTEN USE THE TERM SHIPMATE. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A
TERM OF ENDEARMENT FOR ME THAT REPRESENTS A COMMON BOND ACROSS THE
ENTIRE COAST GUARD FAMILY AND ALL MISSION COMMUNITIES. THERE IS NO
HIGHER COMPLIMENT IN MY OPINION THAN BEING CALLED A SHIPMATE AND NO
BETTER GOAL THAN BEING A GOOD ONE.
6. ADM THAD ALLEN WILL CONTINUE HIS SERVICE AS NATIONAL INCIDENT
COMMANDER FOR THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL MANAGING THE OVERALL
FEDERAL RESPONSE. I AM GLAD HE ACCEPTED THIS LAST ASSIGNMENT AS IT
WILL ENABLE ME TO FOCUS ON THE COAST GUARDS RESPONSE, AND SERVING YOU
AS COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD. ADM ALLEN IS A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT
AND VISIONARY, I THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.
7. I ENCOURAGE ALL COAST GUARD ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN,
AUXILIARY, FAMILIES AND RETIREES TO BOOKMARK AND INITIATE RSS FEED
FROM THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP WEB PAGE AT WWW.USCG.MIL/SENIORLEADERSHIP.
WE INTEND TO USE THIS LOCATION DURING OUR WATCH TO POST INFORMATION
AND ADDRESS SUBJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR SERVICE.
8. ALL STANDING ORDERS REMAIN IN EFFECT, SET THE WATCH AND CARRY OUT
THE ROUTINE OF THE DAY.
9. RELEASED BY ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.