R 301357Z DEC 09

ALCOAST 720/09
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: FY09 RESERVE FAMILY READINESS AWARD
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COAST GUARD RECIPIENT
OF THE RESERVE FAMILY READINESS AWARD (RFRA) FOR FY2009 IS
PORT SECURITY UNIT (PSU) 311, SAN PEDRO, CA.
2. THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR RESERVE
AFFAIRS (OASD-RA) ESTABLISHED THE RFRA TO RECOGNIZE THE TOP UNIT IN
EACH OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES THAT DEMONSTRATE
OUTSTANDING FAMILY READINESS WHILE MAINTAINING SUPERIOR MISSION
READINESS. THE AWARD IS OPEN TO ANY CG UNIT WITH A RESERVE
WORKFORCE.
3. PSU 311 DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY READINESS AND OMBUDSMAN
SUPPORT DURING THEIR RECENT DEPLOYMENT IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION
ENDURING FREEDOM. THEIR SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE
OF FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED THE UNITS
ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE MISSION.  EXAMPLES OF ACTIONS
TAKEN BY PSU 311 AND THEIR OMBUDSMAN INCLUDE.
 A. THE UNITS EXCEPTIONAL WEBSITE FUNCTIONED AS AN EASY, TIMELY AND
CONSISTENT METHOD TO KEEP COMMUNICATION LINES OPEN ON RESOURCES
SUCH AS EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE, TRICARE MEDICAL
AND DENTAL, LEGAL SUPPORT, WORK-LIFE SUPPORT, MORALE, WELFARE AND
RECREATION, DEFENSE ELIGIBILITY ENROLLMENT REPORTING SYSTEM/ID
CARDS, UNITS FPO MAILING ADDRESS, UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION ABOUT
DEPLOYED PERSONNEL AND POSTING OF NOTES/COMMENTS FROM UNIT
PERSONNEL.
 B. THE UNIT OMBUDSMAN WAS EQUIPPED WITH A UNIT CELL PHONE FOR
IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND 24 HOUR SUPPORT.
 C. THE UNIT OMBUDSMAN MANAGED AND MONITORED THE UNIT INTERNET
GROUP CHATROOM TO ENHANCE INFORMAL COMMUNICATIONS.  THIS PROVIDED
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH INCREASED ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH
EACH OTHER ON TOPICS SUCH AS BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES OF
DEPLOYED PERSONNEL AND ALLOWED MORE EXPERIENCED FAMILY MEMBERS TO
MENTOR AND ADVISE FAMILIES OF NEWLY ASSIGNED PERSONNEL.
 D. PSU 311 USED THE UNITED THROUGH READING PROGRAM, WHEREBY
DEPLOYED MEMBERS READ A BOOK WHILE BEING VIDEO TAPED.  THE VIDEO
WAS THEN SENT TO FAMILY MEMBERS BY THE OMBUDSMAN.
4. CONGRATULATIONS TO PSU 311 FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO FAMILY
SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
5. THE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED BY OASD-RA ON 12 FEB 2010 AT A
CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE HALL OF HEROES AT THE PENTAGON. UNITS
FROM OTHER ARMED FORCES RESERVE COMPONENTS WILL BE
HONORED AT THE SAME CEREMONY.
6. RDML D. R. MAY, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.