1st Fast Response Cutter Named for USCG Enlisted Hero BERNARD C. WEBBER

SENTINAL Cutter
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,

It is with great pleasure that I announced today the name of the first Fast Response Cutter in the Sentinel Class will be the BERNARD C. WEBBER. Named for Petty Officer First Class Bernie Webber who executed one of the most famous rescues in U.S. Coast Guard history. He piloted Motor Lifeboat CG-36500 from Station Chatham, MA to the freighter Pendleton which had split in half during a massive storm in 1952. Webber and his three crewmembers rescued 32 sailors from certain death. Later the Coast Guard crewmen were awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal for their courage and heroism. CWO BOSN (retired) Bernie Webber passed away last year and was interned at Wellfleet, MA on Cape Cod in May.

With great pride I also announce that all of the 58 Sentinel Class cutters will be named after enlisted heroes. In the words of Alexander Hamilton, "a few armed vessels judiciously stationed at the entrance to our ports, might be useful sentinels of the law." Our cutters will be named after our enlisted "sentinels" ... not only of the law, but safety of life at sea as well. A formal keel laying ceremony will take place for the first FRC on April 9th in Lockport, LA at the Bollinger Shipyard. Here's the link to the ALCOAST.pdf I shared with the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard.

ADM A

FY11 Budget Hearing Testimony

Guardians,

Earlier today, I testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security regarding the Coast Guard's FY11 budget request.

Here are my written (./WrittenStatement.pdf) and oral (/OralStatement.pdf) statements from the hearing.

Modernization Series: Core Technologies

Guest Post by CAPT Marshall Lytle, Acting Assistant Commandant for C4IT (CG-6):

Transforming the Coast Guard's Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology (C4IT) assets into the Mission Support Business Model's four cornerstones ? configuration management, bi-level maintenance, total asset visibility, and product line management ? is a top priority for the Coast Guard.

As we moved to describe C4IT assets as product lines, the nature of the C4IT's breadth and depth across our organization became readily apparent. The Mission Support model had to be flexed a bit to fully reflect the complex and widespread nature of Coast Guard's C4IT enterprise.

Many Coast Guard C4IT assets fit the business model definition of a product line, a group of closely related products with similar attributes. However, a number of C4IT assets were foundational to other product lines. So, we began to group together those technologies into what we now call "Core Technologies". The result is a set of Core Technologies and Product Lines that the C4IT Service Center is creating.

Mr. Mark Powell, the Director of the C4IT Service Center offers an excellent explanation of the C4IT Service Center's Core Technologies on the DCMS Log. I believe that "Core-Technology Management" should be the fifth cornerstone of the business model that ensures the viability of readiness supporting mission operations. I hope you'll read it to learn more.

CGC Kiska Visit - Field Perspective on Speed Mentoring

CGC Kiska Visit
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,
I had the opportunity to do an All Hands session with the crew of CGC KISKA in Hilo, Hawaii. I met with the Commanding Officer, LT Charlotte Mundy, and we talked about her blogging experiences. I also had the chance to do a "speed mentoring" session with the KISKA crew that we all found beneficial.

Here is LT Mundy's guest blog on her perspective of the day's events:

When the Coast Guard Commandant, ADM Thad Allen, asked if we wanted to participate in a little experiment, the crew of CGC KISKA quickly responded with a resounding "Yes!" Then ADM Allen asked if anyone had heard of Speed Mentoring. There were a few blank looks and head shakes, so he took a few moments to explain the concept.

From the Coast Guard's Leadership Office: "Modeled after speed dating, speed mentoring is a relatively new concept that focuses on quick-hit information, time-efficient networking and the methodical pursuit of a mentor?By simply providing a venue and structured method for participants to seek out their own mentoring relationships during a fast-paced event, speed mentoring addresses [or solves] many disadvantages of formal mentoring programs."

That sounds very structured to me compared to the trial run we experienced on KISKA's messdeck. ADM Allen took eight volunteers from the crew and we split up into two groups, one mentored by him and the other mentored by his Aide, LCDR Jo Cousins. We split the deck of Novations Mentoring Connection Cards between the two groups and got started.

The Connection Cards are similar to a regular deck of playing cards. There are 52 cards in four suits: Challenge, Opportunity, Journey and Messages. Each card poses a question, and the course of play we used was for a member to draw a card, and then each person in the group shared his or her answer. There was some discussion if someone had a particularly salient point to talk about. Once everyone had answered the question on the card, the next person pulled the next card.

My table, led by LCDR Cousins, had mostly Journey and Challenge cards, and the questions generated good discussions. SN Ryan Andres said, "I believe the "speed-mentoring" session acted just as much or more as a "speed-get-to-know-your-crew" session. Being on this boat for the better part of a year I felt I had a good idea of who the people in the crew were and where they came from. This exercise quickly proved me wrong with every question that was answered. I learned more about the couple of participating crewmembers in the group in 15 minutes than I did in 10 months of being on this boat, even though I hold close friendships with them outside of work?From a "mentoring" aspect it forced you to open up in a situation that wasn't nearly as intimidating or awkward as I would normally expect when it comes to "mentoring".

I completely agree with SN Andres; I learned things about my crew that likely wouldn't have come up in typical shipboard banter. And, as a leader, I gained valuable insights into what motivates individuals onboard. One shipmate's response to a question about how we each define success underscored the importance of his family to him. And another's reliance on a positive outlook to see him through challenges was a good reminder to me that even the CO has something to learn from everyone in the crew.

At the other table, LTJG Frank Reed, KISKA's Executive Officer reflected on his experience during the session: "There were numerous examples that were provided that ADM Allen easily related to, either from his perspective as the son of an enlisted man; as a junior officer; as a commanding officer; or as a flag officer. He was in tune with BM3 Goracke's observation that public recognition is not always evenly shared amongst CG communities; he was able to share examples from his career where people "got credit beyond what they deserved or didn't get credit where it was due" (his example was a PA involved in a high profile on-land rescue conducted mostly by Air Sta personnel who were recognized, including the PA, when numerous cuttermen stationed nearby assisted but weren't recognized).

He was also able to relate that each lesson we learn is a building block for the future...and that by sharpening our skills on a lower level we can then be able to handle larger situations (in his case, dealing with heads of federal agencies or corporate media).

I thought it was an excellent exercise that certainly carried a lot of impact due to ADM Allen's involvement, but can be useful at a lower level. Being able to experience ADM Allen's ability to truly engage the "deck plates" certainly lend immeasurable validity to the tough, impact-full decisions like modernization and budget management, etc.

BM3 Brian Goracke summed the session up well, "The discussion helped to ensure that all personnel no matter what their pay grade had an equal opportunity to share life events that contributed to the overall development of each person."

And FN Nolan Rager, TAD from CGC STEADFAST, gave it "two thumbs up."

Speed mentoring has something to offer both mentors and mentees. For mentors, the session was a good opportunity to share some lessons learned as well as continue to learn from other people with different perspectives. For mentees, the session provided a low-stress environment to reflect on leadership development and gain valuable insights from people who had already faced challenges and celebrated successes. It's informal and easy to tailor to different scenarios, including group size, locations, time available and participants? level of experience. Oh yeah, and it's pretty fun, too.

LT Charlotte Mundy

Legendary Coast Guardsman Lieutenant Herbert M. Collins Crosses the Bar

Pea Island Surfman Herbert M. Collins
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,
Today I announced with regret the passing of one of our Coast Guard legends, Lieutenant Herbert M. Collins, USCG (RET). Here is the message shared with the field:

COMDTNOTE 5360

SUBJ: DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED CG VETERAN

1. IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF LIEUTENANT HERBERT M. COLLINS, USCG (RET.), A LEGENDARY COAST GUARDSMAN AND THE LAST SURVIVING CREWMEMBER OF THE ALL-AFRICAN AMERICAN PEA ISLAND LIFE SAVING STATION. LIEUTENANT COLLINS SUCCUMBED TO CANCER ON SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 14TH, SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

2. LIEUTENANT COLLINS SERVICE TO THE COAST GUARD AND OUR NATION ALONE IS SIGNIGICANT, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT AFRICAN AMERICANS FACED AS THE SERVICE WAS INTEGRATED. YET HIS LEGACY RUNS EVEN DEEPER IN OUR COLLECTIVE HERITAGE AS HE WAS ALSO THE GRAND NEPHEW OF DORMAN PUGH, ONE OF SEVEN GOLD LIFE SAVING MEDAL RECIPIENTS FROM THE PEA ISLAND RESCUE OF THE CREW OF THE STRICKEN SCHOONER E.S. NEWMAN IN 1896. WHEN LIEUTENANT COLLINS RETIRED IN 1976, HE AND HIS FAMILY SET THE BAR FOR THE LONGEST CONTINUOUS FAMILY SERVICE IN THE COAST GUARD, A RECORD THAT BEGAN WITH HIS GRANDFATHER, JOSEPH H. BERRY, IN 1880.

3. BORN IN 1921 IN MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA, LIEUTENANT COLLINS ENLISTED IN THE COAST GUARD AND ATTENDED BOOT CAMP IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. FIRST ASSIGNED TO THE CUTTER TALLAPOOSA IN SAVANNAH, COLLINS SERVED AS A MESS ATTENDANT. HE THEN SERVED AT STATIONS FROM FLORIDA TO VIRGINIA, INCLUDING ABOARD CUTTER MENDOTA IN NORFOLK, VA, ALONGSIDE REKNOWNED AUTHOR AND COAST GUARDSMAN, ALEX HALEY. LIEUTENANT COLLINS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE ALL-AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE SAVING STATION AT PEA ISLAND WHERE HE SERVED AS A SURFMAN FOR THE DURATION OF WORLD WAR II. HE AND HIS FELLOW SURFMEN CARRIED OUT VITAL SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONDED TO A DISTRESSED SHIP THAT HAD BEEN HIT BY A TORPEDO BETWEEN THE PEA ISLAND AND CHICAMACOMICO COAST GUARD STATIONS. IN 1947, LIEUTENANT COLLINS ENDED AN HISTORIC ERA IN COAST GUARD HISTORY AS HE HANDED OVER THE KEYS WHEN THE PEA ISLAND STATION WAS DECOMMISSIONED. HE LATER RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT BEFORE RETIRING IN 1976.

4. AFTER SERVING IN THE COAST GUARD, LIEUTENANT COLLINS CONTINUED TO BE AN OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE FOR OUR SERVICE. HE SHARED HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND HIGHLIGHTED THE PROUD HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED. PHOTOS OF LIEUTENANT COLLINS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON COAST GUARD AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY ARE AVAILABLE HERE. THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF THE HEROES OF PEA ISLAND IS THE SUBJECT OF A NEW FILM TILED THE RESCUE MEN, TO WHICH LIEUTENANT COLLINS CONTRIBUTED. MORE DETAIL IS AVAILABLE HERE or WWW.RESCUEMENFILM.COM.

5. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 1330 ON 26 MARCH 2010 AT THE HINES-RINALDI FUNERAL HOME LOCATED AT 11800 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20904. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE COLLINS FAMILY HAS REQUESTED THAT DONATIONS BE MADE TO THE MONTGOMERY HOSPICE INC., 1355 PICCARD DRIVE, SUITE 100, ROCKVILLE MD, 20850. DETAILS OF INTERMENT REMAIN TO BE DETERMINED.

6. ADM T. W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, SENDS.

CG Academy Chorale Cadets Tour Italy with Song

CG Academy Cadets Sing in Italy
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guest Blog from Livorno, Italy by First Class Jason Veara, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

The 22 member Coast Guard Academy Chorale arrived in Venice, Italy March 6th for an eight day international singing tour. Since arriving we have performed at many prestigious venues. Our first concert on Sunday was at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Located on Venice's Grand Canal, the museum is dedicated to 20th Century European Art. We were graciously welcomed and exposed to various art forms from around Europe. While in Venice we also had the opportunity to perform at the Scuola Navale Militare, a high school level prep program for the Italian Naval Academy. There, we were treated to a tour of the school and dined with students. Before performing, we gave a brief presentation about the Coast Guard, the Academy, and the opportunities that await us as Coast Guard Officers.

From Venice we traveled by train to the Tuscany region of Italy where we are spending the remainder of the week. Yesterday we performed at an event arranged by the US Consulate in Florence in honor of the birthday of Florentine explorer - and the namesake of the "Americas" Amerigo Vespucci. Yesterday's event, which marked the anniversary of Vespucci's birth, precedes several celebrations that are intended to fortify relations between Florence and the Americas. Last night, we performed at the St. James Episcopal Church bringing patriotic melodies and traditional tunes to fellow Americans and English speaking natives living in Florence.

Today, we will travel to the Academia Navale (the Italian Naval Academy) in Livorno, where we will spend the afternoon interacting with Italian Midshipmen in a variety of sports and activities. To end our week long adventure on a high note, we will then perform alongside the Italian Naval Academys band in an evening concert for the Italian Midshipmen and assembled dignitaries from around the region.

The Cadet Chorale is a group of Cadets selected from the Cadet Glee Club. Comprised of all classes, we spent countless hours practicing and preparing to represent the Academy, the Coast Guard, and the United States during our time in Italy. We are looking forward to the rest of our time abroad and to returning home to share our many cultural and professional experiences we have been so fortunate to experience during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Frederick F. Herzberg Awarded Distinguished Public Service Award from Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Frederick F. Herzberg Awarded Distinguished Public Service Award by Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

SEATTLE - Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, presents Frederick F. Herzberg a Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award during a visit to the Coast Guard base here, March 11, 2010. Herzberg, a retired Coast Guard Captain, became a staunch advocate for the history of the Coast Guard. He lead the launch of The Foundation for Coast Guard History, a non-profit organization, over ten years ago. Using his own resources and with the help of others the Foundation captured the personal stories and anecdotes of some of the most seminal events in Coast Guard history. In addition to assisting the services' historian, the Foundation promotes and recognizes the contributions of the U.S. Coast Guard to our country.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd class David R. Marin

International Women's Day: Tribute to the Resilience of Haitian Women

The Capital Cutters Jazz Combo
Originally uploaded by icommandant

Guardians,

The U.S. Coast Guard Jazz Combo, "The Capital Cutters", participated in a major Washington Event last night to celebrate "International Women's Day; A Tribute to the Resilience of Haitian Women" which was hosted by the Honorable Raymond A. Joseph, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti and Mrs. Lola Poisson Joseph, which took place at the Washington Hebrew Congregation Hall.

Maureen Bunyan, a local ABC-TV News Anchor, was Mistress of Ceremonies which featured special guests and keynote addresses from the Papal Nuncio of Haiti, Archbishop Barney Auza, and a presentation of the Recipient of the Humanitarian Award to actor Sean Penn.

Ambassador Joseph personally thanked the U.S. Coast Guard Band for their outstanding entertainment throughout the evening. Over 550 people attended the event to include Members of Congress, Members of the International Diplomatic Corps and State Department, DOD Officials and notables like the Mayor of Washington, Mrs. Harriet Fulbright, and Lynn Heffron who are participating in the Coast Guard's Diversity Summit in April.

Members of the Coast Guard's Diversity Staff attended the event including CAPT Steve Baynes, the Coast Guard's Advisor to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Portia Davidson, Workforce Policy Advisor.

Commandant Announces to the Press the Reactivation of the CGC Polar Star

Commandant Announces to the Press the Reactivation of the CGC Polar Star
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,

On Wednesday I was pleased to announce the commencement of repair and renovation work which allow the POLAR STAR to commence operations in 2013. The Congress has appropriated $62m to fund the reactivation. I spoke with the caretaker crew and thanked them for maintaining the material condition of the ship while funding issues were resolved. They are anxious to begin the work which will be done at Todd Shipyard in Seattle. We also estimate that this work will result in the employment of 250 people.

This is a significant step in maintaining the readiness of all three of our icebreakers pending further discussion regarding the future of the POLAR SEA and POLAR STAR which are nearing the end of their service lives. Our icebreakers are the only vessels in the US fleet capable of establishing a presence in polar regions. Their endurance, command and control capability, and flight decks allow operations to be conducted in remote locations where there are no forward operating bases and access is difficult.

My thanks to skipper LCDR Jack Jackson and his crew for the visit.

ADM A

Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors

WASHINGTON- Rear Adm. Scott Burhoe, Superintendant for the Coast Guard Academy, Chairman James Oberstar of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (D-8th/MN) and Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, discuss the Coast Guard Acade
Originally uploaded by uscgpress

Guardians,

On Tuesday I joined Coast Guard Academy Superintendent, Rear Admiral Scott Burhoe, at a lunch in the House Rayburn Building for the member of the Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors. This Congressional mandated body provides "advice and recommendations" to the Commandant on the "operation and matters relating to the Coast Guard Academy."

The Board membership includes both the House and Senate. Current members include:

House of Representatives:
Chairman James Oberstar, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (D-8th/MN)
Representative John Mica (R-7th/FL)
Representative Howard Coble (R-6th/NC)
Representative Joe Courtney (D-2nd/CT)
Representative Mazie Hirono (D-2nd/HI)
Representative Michael Michaud (D-2nd/ME)

Senate:
Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) - Chair
Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)

We appreciate Chairman Oberstar serving as the host and the insightful comments offered by all participants. Members of Congress noted the community service of Coast Guard Academy cadets and the service of our personnel in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina. We look forward to seeing the members at the Academy in the future.

ADM A