R 152206Z OCT 10

ALCOAST 507/10
COMDTNOTE 5000
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 8: COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010
1. SHIPMATES, I HAVE GREAT NEWS TO PASS-THE PRESIDENT JUST SIGNED
INTO LAW THE COAST GUARD AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010.  THIS BILL
CONTAINS SIGNIFICANT NEW AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING, NEW MARINE SAFETY,
PORT SECURITY AND OIL POLLUTION PREVENTION AUTHORITIES THAT ENHANCE
THE SAFETY OF OUR PORTS AND WATERWAYS.  IN ADDITION, THE ACT PROVIDES
ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE TO ADVANCE OUR FLEET RECAPITALIZATION EFFORTS
AND IMPORTANT INDIVIDUAL READINESS TOOLS, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO
IMPROVE OUR FAMILY HOUSING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.
2. I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED WITH THE MODERNIZATION AUTHORITY BECAUSE
IT SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCES ONE OF MY KEY GUIDING PRINCIPLES-STEADY THE
SERVICE.  WE NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO FINISH OUR ORGANIZATIONAL
REALIGNMENT.  AND THATS JUST WHAT I PLAN TO DO.  GOING FORWARD, WE
WILL MAINTAIN TWO AREA COMMANDERS, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC, (INSTEAD OF
A SINGLE OPERATIONAL COMMANDER), THE CHIEF OF STAFF WILL BECOME THE
DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MISSION SUPPORT (DCMS), OVERSEEING LOGISTICS
SUPPORT FOR ALL COAST GUARD ASSETS, AND THE FORCE READINESS
COMMAND-OUR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR TRAINING AND DOCTRINE-WILL COME
UNDER DCMS.  THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS (DCO) WILL ALSO
BECOME A VICE ADMIRAL.
3. SOLIDIFYING THE POST-MODERNIZATION CHAIN OF COMMAND WILL ENHANCE
YOUR ABILITY TO GET YOUR JOB DONE AND KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON SAFELY AND
EFFECTIVELY EXECUTING COAST GUARD MISSIONS.  I COULD NOT BE MORE
PLEASED WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT.  THIS BILL IS THE PRODUCT OF YEARS OF
CLOSE COORDINATION AND HARD WORK WITH OUR CONGRESS.  SO BRAVO ZULU TO
THE SHIPMATES WHO HAD THEIR HAND ON THE HELM, STEERING IT FROM
DEVELOPMENT TO COMPLETION.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO THANK THOSE OF YOU SERVING IN THE
FIELD WHO REMAIN ALWAYS READY WHILE WE WORK TO RETOOL OUR
ORGANIZATIONS LOGISTICS, SUPPORT AND COMMAND AND CONTROL STRUCTURES.
WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO, BUT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.
5. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANT NEW AUTHORITIES CONTAINED
IN THE COAST GUARD 2010 AUTHORIZATION ACT, AS WELL AS MODERNIZATION
EFFORTS, BY VISITING THE CG MODERNIZATION LINK AT:
HTTPS://CGPORTAL.USCG.MIL/.
6. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.