Coast Guard Modernization Update
Last week I received some questions on iCommandant regarding the status of our modernization effort. The answers to the specific questions are below this post.
I thought this would be a good opportunity to provide an update on our modernization program.
As I informed the Coast Guard workforce by e-mail a few weeks ago, significant progress is underway in our efforts to modernize the Coast Guard. In early October, official review of the environmental impacts of our modernization efforts was completed, and the review concluded that our modernization plans will not have any negative impacts on our working environments.
With the Environmental Assessment complete, I'm pleased to announce that we reached a major modernization milestone on October 30th with the stand up of our first of five planned logistics/service centers; the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC. This center will unify support under a single organization for our aviation forces. Over the next month, you will hear more detail about plans for standup of our other Logistics/Service Centers; including the Personnel Service Center, Surface Forces Logistics Center, Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center, and the C4IT Service Center.
Additionally, we have begun initial billet reprogramming to reflect the portions of our modernization planning efforts that have been approved. We are building out our new organization in functional segments, not unlike the process for software development. For that reason we are calling this first segment of reprogramming "Version 1.0" of our new organization. Key functions of the Version 1.0 organizational design includes the Coast Guard Operations Command (CG OPCOM), the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (CG FORCECOM), as well as the five Logistics/Service Centers mentioned above. Our implementation is beginning with version 1.0 because we need legislative authority to fully realize our overall envisioned plans for modernization.
To that end, as I have previously mentioned, I am encouraged by the level of external support we have received for our modernization efforts. Both the House and the Senate endorsed the Legislative Change Proposal which would authorize our full modernization plans. Although this legislative change was not passed before Congress recessed, we are working closely with our oversight committees to facilitate passage of this legislation by the 111th Congress as quickly as possible..
In the meantime, we will continue to move forward to advance as much as we can within the bounds of our legal authority to enhance our organizational effectiveness, better support our workforce, and protect the safety and security of our Nation.
Finally, in regard to our workforce, I want to reemphasize that the Coast Guard's reputation and success lies in the exceptional professionalism and dedication of our combined military and civilian professionals. With this in mind I want to again point out that modernization planning is being carried out with every effort to minimize impacts on our workforce.
I again encourage the entire Coast Guard to continue to review the "Modernization Section" on CG Central and look for future updates here in order to stay up to date on the positive changes underway for our Service.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment to our Coast Guard. Semper Paratus!
-------------------------------------------
Response to Modernization Q's received via iCommandant
Q: What affect do you think the new administration will have on your modernization efforts? Is there any chance that a new administration would shut down all or part of your efforts to date?
A: We cannot fully anticipate the questions or concerns that the new Administration may have regarding Coast Guard Modernization. As mentioned in my original post, we have assembled a robust internal Transition Team to work with President-elect Obama's staff and our own Department's staff to bring the new Administration up-to-speed on the Coast Guard, the value it brings to the nation as an organization and its future needs, including support for modernization. I am confident that the new Administration and Congress will both recognize the improved mission execution and support that modernization will bring to the Coast Guard and its critical roles and missions.
Q: When will or has Congress already been notified of your plans for modernization?
A: Since my hearing before Congress for confirmation as Commandant, I have been sharing our Modernization goals with legislators, as well as our cause for action. Our Congressional oversight committees have been briefed on our Modernization plans, and Headquarters staffs provide Congressional notifications for each upcoming change to Coast Guard commands, both in the field and here in Washington DC. Congressional support and legislative action is both desired and required to see Modernization through to completion; our new, more agile organization can only be fully realized by appropriately amending Title 14 of the United States Code. However, I believe modernization is so important to our future performance that we need to move forward with those changes that we can.
Q: When will or have the Unions been notified and how will Impact and Implementation Bargaining, or "I&I" be coordinated with so many unions around the country?
A: Ongoing communication with our unions has been a vital part of the success of our modernization efforts to date. I recognize the tremendous coordination that will be required to accomplish our bargaining responsibilities and I will continue to commit the necessary resources to achieve this important goal.
I thought this would be a good opportunity to provide an update on our modernization program.
As I informed the Coast Guard workforce by e-mail a few weeks ago, significant progress is underway in our efforts to modernize the Coast Guard. In early October, official review of the environmental impacts of our modernization efforts was completed, and the review concluded that our modernization plans will not have any negative impacts on our working environments.
With the Environmental Assessment complete, I'm pleased to announce that we reached a major modernization milestone on October 30th with the stand up of our first of five planned logistics/service centers; the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC. This center will unify support under a single organization for our aviation forces. Over the next month, you will hear more detail about plans for standup of our other Logistics/Service Centers; including the Personnel Service Center, Surface Forces Logistics Center, Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center, and the C4IT Service Center.
Additionally, we have begun initial billet reprogramming to reflect the portions of our modernization planning efforts that have been approved. We are building out our new organization in functional segments, not unlike the process for software development. For that reason we are calling this first segment of reprogramming "Version 1.0" of our new organization. Key functions of the Version 1.0 organizational design includes the Coast Guard Operations Command (CG OPCOM), the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (CG FORCECOM), as well as the five Logistics/Service Centers mentioned above. Our implementation is beginning with version 1.0 because we need legislative authority to fully realize our overall envisioned plans for modernization.
To that end, as I have previously mentioned, I am encouraged by the level of external support we have received for our modernization efforts. Both the House and the Senate endorsed the Legislative Change Proposal which would authorize our full modernization plans. Although this legislative change was not passed before Congress recessed, we are working closely with our oversight committees to facilitate passage of this legislation by the 111th Congress as quickly as possible..
In the meantime, we will continue to move forward to advance as much as we can within the bounds of our legal authority to enhance our organizational effectiveness, better support our workforce, and protect the safety and security of our Nation.
Finally, in regard to our workforce, I want to reemphasize that the Coast Guard's reputation and success lies in the exceptional professionalism and dedication of our combined military and civilian professionals. With this in mind I want to again point out that modernization planning is being carried out with every effort to minimize impacts on our workforce.
I again encourage the entire Coast Guard to continue to review the "Modernization Section" on CG Central and look for future updates here in order to stay up to date on the positive changes underway for our Service.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment to our Coast Guard. Semper Paratus!
-------------------------------------------
Response to Modernization Q's received via iCommandant
Q: What affect do you think the new administration will have on your modernization efforts? Is there any chance that a new administration would shut down all or part of your efforts to date?
A: We cannot fully anticipate the questions or concerns that the new Administration may have regarding Coast Guard Modernization. As mentioned in my original post, we have assembled a robust internal Transition Team to work with President-elect Obama's staff and our own Department's staff to bring the new Administration up-to-speed on the Coast Guard, the value it brings to the nation as an organization and its future needs, including support for modernization. I am confident that the new Administration and Congress will both recognize the improved mission execution and support that modernization will bring to the Coast Guard and its critical roles and missions.
Q: When will or has Congress already been notified of your plans for modernization?
A: Since my hearing before Congress for confirmation as Commandant, I have been sharing our Modernization goals with legislators, as well as our cause for action. Our Congressional oversight committees have been briefed on our Modernization plans, and Headquarters staffs provide Congressional notifications for each upcoming change to Coast Guard commands, both in the field and here in Washington DC. Congressional support and legislative action is both desired and required to see Modernization through to completion; our new, more agile organization can only be fully realized by appropriately amending Title 14 of the United States Code. However, I believe modernization is so important to our future performance that we need to move forward with those changes that we can.
Q: When will or have the Unions been notified and how will Impact and Implementation Bargaining, or "I&I" be coordinated with so many unions around the country?
A: Ongoing communication with our unions has been a vital part of the success of our modernization efforts to date. I recognize the tremendous coordination that will be required to accomplish our bargaining responsibilities and I will continue to commit the necessary resources to achieve this important goal.
Posted at
8:51 AM
2 Comments:
On November 15, 2008, Anonymous asked...
"Can you tell me who paid for the free lunch that over a thousand people ate following the ceremony to rename the joint to ALC. A full Bar-b-que lunch with all the fixins was served. Our tickets said $5 on them we sure didn't pay for them. The Vice Comdt was among those who ate a free lunch in addition to boat load of other Admirals and senior officials."
********************
Moderator's response on behalf of the Commandant: The ALC ribbon cutting lunch was attended by 1195 people and it cost $6,871.25, including gratuity. To cover the cost, 895 tickets were sold to military, civilian and contract personnel from ALC at $5.00 each ($4,475.00). The Vice Commandant contributed $2,000.00 of non-appropriated Coast Guard Foundation discretionary funds which were used to cover the remaining 300 tickets for visiting participants, guests and dignitaries ($1500.00), and a portion of the gratuity ($500.00). The Officer's Wardroom Fund contributed an additional $396.25 to cover the balance of the gratuity.
In reference to the concerns that the CGHQ staff and VIPs got a "free lunch" at the recent ribbon cutting for the Aviation Logistics Center, I'd like to clear the air. The Coast Guard Foundation does so many wonderful things for the men and women of the Coast Guard. Their generosity enhances the morale and welfare of our service personnel, helps us provide that margin of excellence that cannot be covered through appropriated funds, and provides the ability to showcase the Coast Guard to the public. For that we are forever grateful.
In addition to the very generous support the CG Foundation provides directly to our Coast Guard men and women and their families through Evergreen, special projects, Fallen Hero funds, memorial services, professional certifications, scholarships and awards recognition dinners, they help us provide outreach to the public we serve. The Coast Guard Foundation provides discretionary funds to an account administered by the Vice Commandant on behalf of the Coast Guard, that both supports morale events for CG men and women, and Coast Guard events for public outreach and education (including ceremonies commemorating important events and traditions). The stand up of the ALC is the first of our five logistics/service centers which are key to the improved mission support model for our Coast Guard assets and personnel. The ALC ribbon-cutting ceremony was an appropriate use of CGF funds to support this opportunity to showcase the Coast Guard and the better government envisioned under our modernization effort. The intention of utilizing CG Foundation funds for the ceremony reception was to defray the overall costs of the event and appropriately pay for invited guests of the Coast Guard. Upon notification that non-local Coast Guard members (Flags, SESs, HQ staff) were included as non-paying guests, I immediately directed that we pay our own way, and in fact, everyone has.
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