Diversity Champions of 2012

     Congratulations to the Sector San Juan LDAC, our Diversity Champion of the Week! The Diversity Champion distinction is bestowed upon individuals or units who have made significant contributions in support of the Commandant's Diversity Strategic Plan and OPTASK Diversity.

   Sector San Juan's LDAC hosted a Hispanic Heritage Cultural Event during the Hispanic Heritage month.  The LDAC incorporated resources and personnel from all local commands and other federal agencies into the planning and execution of this very successful and well attended event.  They constructed a staging area for the occasion, hosted an artistic dance group as well as live musical entertainment and prepared an assortment of cultural foods. 

    Traditionally cultural observances are held solely as a celebration of a particular group in conjunction with a national heritage observance.  This year the LDAC went above and beyond that custom to plan and execute an event which not only honored the many contributions that Hispanic Americans have made to the country, but also highlighted and honored the life of Baseball Hall of Famer and humanitarian Roberto Clemente and the Clemente Family, as well as the forgotten efforts of the crew of CGC SAGEBRUSH in their endeavor to locate Mr. Clemente when he was lost in an airplane crash off the coast of Loiza, Puerto Rico in 1972.  This event, which received national media coverage, reunited the SAGEBRUSH crew with the Clemente Family (see photo) after 40 years and ensured the story of the crew's heroic deeds and dedicated service would not be lost.

    The leadership, mentorship, and devotion to duty displayed by the Sector San Juan LDAC is exemplary and serves as a great example of the positive impact a small group can have on a community.  As a direct result of their effort and outreach, the Coast Guard is making strides toward achieving the vision set out in the Diversity Strategic Plan.  Thank you for your work in championing diversity!

     Congratulations to the San Diego Chapter of the Coast Guard Cuttermen Association our Diversity Champion of the Week! The Diversity Champion distinction is bestowed upon individuals or units who have made significant contributions in support of the Commandant's Diversity Strategic Plan and OPTASK Diversity.

     For the second year in a row, San Diego area Coast Guard units had the "homefield" advantage to participate in the national conference of one of our valuable affinity group partners.  Last year it was the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) and this year the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO). 

     The San Diego Chapter of the Coast Guard Cuttermen Association (CGCA) led by LCDR Phil Crigler, LT Kirk Fistick, ENS Greg Mitchell, and BMCM Chris Swiatek took the initiative to sponsor a Cuttermen's Call around both of these conferences providing a chance for Cuttermen and non-Cuttermen alike from around the country to get together in an informal setting to exchange stories and share ideas. One of CGCA's objectives is to support the goals and advancement of Cuttermen and to promote interest in the cutter community both internally and external to the service. This objective aligns closely with the mission of affinity groups like NNOA, ANSO and participation in these groups and at their conferences provides a valuable opportunity to grow as individuals, as an organization, and as an Association.

     Last year’s Cuttermen's Call kicked off with a brief presentation by members of the Coast Guard Academy’s diversity staff where they shared with more than 65 attendees from 12 different units some of the initiatives underway for recruiting.  They also discussed a synopsis of the findings from RDML Baffer's Cutter Diversity Task Force. This year’s event was also a great success with nearly 100 attendees and great representation from the Coast Guard Flag Officer Corps, including; Vice Admiral Neffenger (Deputy Commandant for Operations), RADM Castillo (PACAREA Deputy), RADM Rabago (CG-4), RADM Neptune (CG-1) and RADM Schultz (D11). We were also honored to have RADM (USN Ret.) Rodriguez, President of ANSO. The call followed an earlier Coast Guard sponsored luncheon where VADM Neffenger shared his perspectives on diversity.

    The leadership, mentorship, and devotion to duty displayed by the San Diego Chapter of the Coast Guard Cuttermen Association is exemplary and serves as a great example of the positive impact a small group can have on a community.  As a direct result of their effort and outreach, the Coast Guard is making strides toward achieving the vision set out in the Diversity Strategic Plan.  Thank you for your work in championing diversity!

     Congratulations to the NOMAR & Latina Style Outreach Team our Diversity Champion of the Week! The Diversity Champion distinction is bestowed upon individuals or units who have made significant contributions in support of the Commandant's Diversity Strategic Plan and OPTASK Diversity.

     The Diversity Outreach Teams for the 2012 National Organization for Mexican American Rights (NOMAR) and the Latina Style Symposium performed their duties is an exemplary manner.  Outreach is defined as building greater Coast Guard awareness and support, especially in geographic areas and within organizations whose demographics will meet the needs of the service.  The NOMAR and Latina Style Outreach Teams successfully helped the USCG sustain our relationships with Hispanic organizations in support of the Commandant’s diversity initiatives.  Both events were extremely successful; we accomplished goal three of the Diversity Strategic Plan by expanding outreach to under-represented communities.   The recruiters were phenomenal; they promoted Coast Guard career opportunities to over 360 eager high school students.  USCG Seminars received outstanding reviews and the panelists were stellar.  Moreover, the USCG was a major presence in the military award ceremonies, USCG personnel served as the Keynote, rendered the invocations, tribute to the fallen, and the national anthem.   NOMAR and Latina Style had excellent executive support from: RADM Ronald Rabago, RADM Maura Dollymore and RADM Frederick Kenney.   Kudos for excellence in teamwork goes to: LCDR Susan Shanahan, LT Andrew Jantzen, SCPO Raymond Cotton, CPO Roberta Storey, PO2 Joshua Duncan, PO2 Thomas Maldonado, Ms. Irma Fuentes, Ms. Carla Grantham, Ms. Shanna Marshall and Mr. Kelvin Bigesby.  This type of teamwork supports our quest to make the Coast Guard the premiere service of choice.  Based on the aforementioned, the 2012 NOMAR and Latina Style teams earned the title of Diversity Champions.

     The leadership, mentorship, and devotion to duty displayed by the NOMAR & Latina Style Outreach Team is exemplary and serves as a great example of the positive impact a small group can have on a community.  As a direct result of their effort and outreach, the Coast Guard is making strides toward achieving the vision set out in the Diversity Strategic Plan.  Thank you for your work in championing diversity!