R 221552Z JUL 10

ALCOAST 390/10
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ: DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL SOLICITATION FOR COLLATERAL DUTY
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER SUPPORT
1. PUBLIC AFFAIRS EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF THE RESPONSE TO THE OIL SPILL
IN THE GULF OF MEXICO REQUIRE A SUSTAINABLE RESPONSE EFFORT BY THE
COAST GUARD.  DEEPWATER HORIZON (DH) RESPONSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN
FILLED BY FULL TIME PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS ACROSS THE SERVICE.
HOWEVER, AS ALL AVAILABLE PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AND ARE MOVING
TOWARD MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS, IT IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT
SURGE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.
2. AT THE SAME TIME, THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS RESPONSE PRESENTS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCE IN JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC)
AND FIELD PUBLIC AFFAIRS OPERATIONS TO A GREATER NUMBER OF COAST
GUARD OFFICERS.  IN AN EFFORT TO MEET NEAR TERM STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
AND BUILD THE EXPERTISE OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE SERVICE, COLLATERAL
DUTY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER FOR CRITICAL
FILL POSITIONS IN SUPPORT OF DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE OPERATIONS.
3. THIS SOLICITATION WILL RUN FOR 30 DAYS COMMENCING ON 31 JULY 2010
AND EXPIRING ON 31 AUGUST 2010.  THOSE OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED
THE ONE-WEEK COAST GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER COURSE WILL BE GIVEN
TOP CONSIDERATION.  COMMANDANT (CG-0922) IS ALSO EXPLORING JUST IN
TIME TRAINING OPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT TAKEN THIS COURSE.  ALL
OFFICERS SEEKING VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD CONTACT JORDAN ST JOHN,
DEPUTY CHIEF, HEADQUARTERS PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF, AT (202) 732-4625.
4. RELEASED BY RADM KARL L. SCHULTZ, DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNMENTAL AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.