R 031438Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 435/12
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: FY 2012 COPERNICUS AWARDS
1. The Copernicus award was established to recognize individual
contributions to naval warfare in command, control, communications,
computers and intelligence (C4I), information systems, and
information warfare. The award is sponsored by the Armed Forces
Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the U.S. Naval
Institute (USNI).
2. The combined efforts of the fleet and the shore establishment have
been notably successful in bringing the maritime services smartly
into the information age. Individual sailors and civilian employees
have played critical roles in enabling a revolution in military and
civil affairs based on communications and information technologies.
Our achievements have been made through a set of common principles
and, most importantly, the actions and determination of individuals,
military and civilian, junior and senior. The Copernicus award for
exceptional individual achievement in information systems has been
established to honor those people and to recognize their
contributions.
3. Fiscal year 2012 nominees must have made a specific, demonstrable
contribution to the advancement of C4I, information systems, or
information warfare. Contributions can be technical in nature, but
may also originate from doctrinal, financial, organizational, or
other dimensions of information systems. The contribution should
involve exceptional initiative, leadership and insight within the
area of expertise demonstrated by the nominees. All Navy, Marine
Corps, Coast Guard, and civil service personnel are eligible for
nomination. Up to 30 awardees will be selected. Each nominating
command is limited to two nominees. No contractor or team (more than
one person) nominations will be accepted.
4. The awardees will be selected through nominations from Navy,
Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (including joint/NATO) commands, afloat
and ashore. Nominations must be on letterhead and submitted by
scan/email. Nominations for commanding officers or officers in charge
must be signed by their immediate superior in command. Flag
endorsements and letters of recommendation are neither required nor
desired. The nomination template and additional nomination package
information, as well as the most up-to-date POC information, can be
found at http://www.afcea.org/awards/copernicusnominations12.asp.
5. Coast Guard nominations are due to COMDT (CG-633), attn: CDR Ted
Kim, NLT 26 October 2012 in order to submit all Coast Guard
nominations to the selection board by 1 November 2012. Late
nominations will not be considered. All eligible CG nominations
shall be forwarded to the joint service selection board for
consideration. The selection board will make its recommendations for
individual award selectees to AFCEA/USNI. AFCEA/USNI will make final
selections and OPNAV will announce the awardees via NAVADMIN and CG
messages. The annual Copernicus awards ceremony held at the AFCEA
west conference in San Diego, CA. will be announced SEPCOR.
6. COMDT (CG-6) POC for the award is CDR Ted Kim. Submit your award
nomination to CDR Kim at Ted.J.Kim(AT)uscg.mil, preferred method in
portable document format (pdf). Contact CDR Kim if you have any
additional questions at 202-372-1278.
7. RADM R. E. Day, Assistant Commandant for Command, Control,
Communications, Computer, and Information Technology, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.