R 071711Z SEP 12 ALCOAST 399/12 COMDTNOTE 1650 SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR FY12 SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE OF THE YEAR 1. Purpose: This message solicits nominations for the FY12 Special Command Aide (SCA) of the Year. 2. Background: This annual award recognizes the outstanding performance of Coast Guard SCAs. SCAs fill a variety of high visibility positions, including the White House Mess, the Department of Homeland Security Executive Dining Facility, the Commandants Flag Mess at Coast Guard Headquarters, and representational facilities around the Coast Guard. This award recognizes and encourages outstanding achievement, creativity and contributions to the Coast Guard. 3. Award eligibility: Presented annually, this award recognizes individual performance and contributions between the dates of 01 OCT 2011 and 30 SEP 2012. Because the award is tailored to SCAs that serve in Representational Facilities (REPFACs) nominees must have served as an SCA in REPFACs for at least six months during the qualifying period. SCAs who transferred during the competition year will compete from wherever the SCA was assigned as of 01 APR 2012. 4. The member selected as the Coast Guard SCA of the year will represent the Coast Guard at the Department of Defense Enlisted Aide of the Year Competition held in conjunction with the USO Salute to Military Chefs event on 14 NOV 2012, in Washington, D.C. The Enlisted Aide of the Year is not a cooking competition. The focus of the competition is Enlisted Aide Duties with the purpose of relieving general and flag officers of those minor tasks and details which, if performed by the officers would be at the expense of the officers primary military and official duties. 5. Nomination package requirements: Eligible members may submit an application package scanned and emailed to James.E.Swenson(at)uscg.mil NLT 28 SEPT 12 the package must include: a. General information sheet, b. Command endorsement cover letter, c. Military biographical data, d. Official photo (head and shoulders in service dress uniform without combination cover). Please Contact FSCS James Swenson to obtain the templates for the General information sheet and the Military biographical data sheet. 6. Command Endorsement - Command endorsements are critical to the selection process. Command endorsements shall provide specific comments on the member to include: a. Leadership and Job Performance: Describe significant leadership accomplishments and how well the member performed assigned primary and additional duties. Define the scope and level of responsibilities and the impact on the mission and unit. Include any new initiatives or techniques developed by the member, and comments on the establishment of quality household management, and/or significant contributions that positively impacted the unit and/or increased mission effectiveness during the recognition period. Include awards received: e.g. sailor of the quarter, and other local and civilian organization recognition. b. Significant Self-Improvement: Show how the member developed or improved skills related to primary duties: e.g. formal training, career development course enrollment or completion, on-the-job training, certifications, off-duty education related to primary duties, etc. Include completion of any professional military education as well as any off-duty education not directly related to primary duties: e.g. class, course, degree enrollment or completion, grade point average. Cite any other relevant training, activity or achievements in professional or cultural societies or associations, and the development of creative abilities that significantly enhanced the members value as a military citizen during the recognition period. c. Base and Community Involvement: Define the scope and impact of the members positive leadership and involvement in the military and civilian community. Include leadership, membership or participation in unit advisory councils, professional military organizations, associations and events: e.g. president of enlisted association, member of the nutrition and wellness board, officer in culinary chapter, Sunday school teacher, etc. Include contributions (tangible or intangible) to the professional community and service industrys welfare, morale or status. Highlight demonstrated ability as an articulate and positive member of the Coast Guard during the recognition period. 7. POC: for additional information regarding submitting packages, contact the SCA program manager, FSCS James Swenson, at (202)372-4412. 8. VADM J.P. Currier, Vice Commandant, sends. 9. Internet Release Authorized.