USCGC BERTHOLF COMMAND PHILOSOPHY

     BERTHOLF is a team of Coast Guard professionals working together, with pride and purpose, to provide superior service to our shipmates, families, operational commanders, and country. My overarching goal is for each member of our crew to achieve professional and personal success. As Commanding Officer, I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities. Our Core Values and Guardian Ethos will guide my actions. I expect and will require that you do the same.

     My priorities are the safety of the crew and ship, operational readiness and mission completion, in that order. We will leave our ship and shipmates better trained, prepared and maintained at the end of our tour. To do this we will emphasize the following areas:

     Professionalism: We represent our unit, service, and country, and carry and conduct ourselves as professionals at all times. Support for the chain of command, respect for each other, military customs and courtesies, crisp uniforms, fit appearance and unquestionable ethical behavior are our daily standards. Misuse of alcohol, drugs, and inappropriate conduct are not tolerated.

     Training: Our crew is a team of highly trained experts in their specialties, as well as shipboard evolutions and emergency procedures. We provide mentoring, training, leadership opportunities, and the educational resources needed to prepare all members of our crew for advancement and to assume positions of greater responsibility. Each crewmember is vital to our success as a team and is expected to give their best effort.

     Maintenance: We work together to maintain the health and well being of ourselves, our shipmates, and our families through a positive and open work environment, active CDAR program, a strong family information and support network, and timely recognition and reward of superior performance. Our ship is superbly maintained through the precise completion of PMS requirements, careful operation of all machinery and systems, and maintenance of a clean, safe, and organized shipboard environment. DCPO and Rescue & Survival Gear PMS is the first line of protection for our ship and crew in an emergency, and shall be closely monitored.

     Operations: If we have to go out… we and our ship will come back unhurt and undamaged. Safety is our first priority at all times. Our training and maintenance efforts are the foundation of our operational success. We perform all assigned missions to the best of our ability. We maximize the use of technology to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of our unit. We aggressively pursue new and better ways of getting the job done, to ensure the success of not only our ship, but the future Coast Guard fleet.

     Administration: Documenting what we have done is critical to all facets of our operations, training, maintenance and leadership. We complete administrative requirements on time, especially Enlisted Performance Evaluations, Officer Evaluation Reports, training records, PMS/CMPlus entries, AOPS & MISLE, ship's logs and individual advancement, pay and entitlement paperwork.

     There are many things one cannot control, but one can always control attitude and effort. A positive attitude and strong effort are the marks of a professional mariner. Look after your shipmates: they can and will save your life, and will also be the most memorable part of your tour afloat. Embrace life aboard ship. Although it can be difficult, I believe you will find it immensely rewarding if you look to enjoy it vice endure it.

John F. Prince, CAPT
Commanding Officer