The Coast Guard has shifted its social media sites. To keep up with the Coast Guard and the new senior leadership team, please visit:
The Coast Guard's Facebook page;
The new Coast Guard internet page featuring a Senior Leadership section; and
The Compass web site.
Thank you for following iCommandant and Semper Paratus!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Commandant's Change of Command
Guardians,
Later today, I will be relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp. It has been an honor to serve as your Commandant for the past four years and I am confident in Admiral Papp's ability to lead the Service during a period of tremendous changes, challenges, and opportunities. The value of the U.S. Coast Guard has never been greater than it is today and it is the men and women of our great Service who truly make it all possible.
After the Change of Command ceremony, I will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for some period of time but I wanted to take this final opportunity to thank you for your tremendous commitment, dedication, and courage over the past four years.
When I became the Commandant in 2006, I issued a number of orders that I thought were necessary to meet the challenges we faced then and set the conditions for future success. With your help we have accomplished a great deal. We transformed our acquisition process, enhanced our marine safety capability and capacity, created a new and more effective support structure for our Reserve Forces, stood up the Force Readiness Command and Deployable Operations Group, created the Maritime Enforcement Rating, and transformed our maintenance and logistics processes. At the same time we met operational challenges in piracy off the Horn of Africa, the tsunami in America Samoa, the earthquake in Haiti, and more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We accomplished all of that without losing focus on our broader mission set. We continued to interdict drugs and made major strides to eliminate the use of self propelled semi-submersibles. We deployed wireless biometric capability to significantly reduce illegal alien migration. At the same time we saved countless lives.
In the last six years, we have also strengthened our relationships within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the completion of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, we helped mature the Department and build the Nation's homeland security enterprise.
In the process we enhanced our ties to the Department of Defense. We held unprecedented staff talks with the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau. The Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and I cosigned "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" and Naval Operating Concepts. We forged stronger bonds with our interagency partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of the Interior. Finally, we strengthened our international ties with our hemispheric partners and through the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum and North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Together, we raised the visibility of Coast Guard missions to our external stakeholders and our international partners.
The common thread connecting each of these of initiatives and actions, and my overarching goal as Commandant, was for the Coast Guard to become more change-centric - to sense changes in our operational environment and have the courage to make course corrections before problems overwhelm us or we have terms dictated to us externally. To do that we must become more diverse, adapt to new technologies, and embrace social media as well. I believe we have become more change-centric and a learning organization that capitalizes on lessons learned. Nowhere has this been more evident than in our responses to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and in our leading role to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The world has seen the value of the U.S. Coast Guard in action. We protect, defend, and save America's maritime interests wherever they are at stake - that is the legacy you have left for our future Guardians to embrace.
In spite of our operational successes, challenges remain. Our operations are not risk free and we have known the pain at the loss of shipmates from USCGC HEALY, MSST Anchorage, CG 6505, and CG 1705. Our promise to them is to prevent future accidents and insure we create the safest possible environment for our personnel. The Coast Guard will meet future challenges because of our multi-mission nature, bias for action, and the incredible talent and dedication of our people. As we look to the future, I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.
I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds.
Sincerely,
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Later today, I will be relieved as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard by Admiral Robert Papp. It has been an honor to serve as your Commandant for the past four years and I am confident in Admiral Papp's ability to lead the Service during a period of tremendous changes, challenges, and opportunities. The value of the U.S. Coast Guard has never been greater than it is today and it is the men and women of our great Service who truly make it all possible.
After the Change of Command ceremony, I will continue to serve as the National Incident Commander for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for some period of time but I wanted to take this final opportunity to thank you for your tremendous commitment, dedication, and courage over the past four years.
When I became the Commandant in 2006, I issued a number of orders that I thought were necessary to meet the challenges we faced then and set the conditions for future success. With your help we have accomplished a great deal. We transformed our acquisition process, enhanced our marine safety capability and capacity, created a new and more effective support structure for our Reserve Forces, stood up the Force Readiness Command and Deployable Operations Group, created the Maritime Enforcement Rating, and transformed our maintenance and logistics processes. At the same time we met operational challenges in piracy off the Horn of Africa, the tsunami in America Samoa, the earthquake in Haiti, and more recently the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We accomplished all of that without losing focus on our broader mission set. We continued to interdict drugs and made major strides to eliminate the use of self propelled semi-submersibles. We deployed wireless biometric capability to significantly reduce illegal alien migration. At the same time we saved countless lives.
In the last six years, we have also strengthened our relationships within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the completion of the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, we helped mature the Department and build the Nation's homeland security enterprise.
In the process we enhanced our ties to the Department of Defense. We held unprecedented staff talks with the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard Bureau. The Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and I cosigned "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower" and Naval Operating Concepts. We forged stronger bonds with our interagency partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of the Interior. Finally, we strengthened our international ties with our hemispheric partners and through the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum and North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Together, we raised the visibility of Coast Guard missions to our external stakeholders and our international partners.
The common thread connecting each of these of initiatives and actions, and my overarching goal as Commandant, was for the Coast Guard to become more change-centric - to sense changes in our operational environment and have the courage to make course corrections before problems overwhelm us or we have terms dictated to us externally. To do that we must become more diverse, adapt to new technologies, and embrace social media as well. I believe we have become more change-centric and a learning organization that capitalizes on lessons learned. Nowhere has this been more evident than in our responses to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and in our leading role to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The world has seen the value of the U.S. Coast Guard in action. We protect, defend, and save America's maritime interests wherever they are at stake - that is the legacy you have left for our future Guardians to embrace.
In spite of our operational successes, challenges remain. Our operations are not risk free and we have known the pain at the loss of shipmates from USCGC HEALY, MSST Anchorage, CG 6505, and CG 1705. Our promise to them is to prevent future accidents and insure we create the safest possible environment for our personnel. The Coast Guard will meet future challenges because of our multi-mission nature, bias for action, and the incredible talent and dedication of our people. As we look to the future, I encourage each of you to be insatiably curious, to be life-long learners, to look after your shipmates, and, finally, to seize every chance to apply your leadership skills, talent, and competencies when the opportunity presents itself.
I am incredibly proud of all our active duty members, reservists, civilians and auxiliarists. No matter how fiercely the winds of change swirl around us, our people stabilize the Service. You are America's Maritime Guardians and your country needs you now more than ever. It has been my extraordinary honor to have been your Commandant and I am excited to see where you will take the organization in the future. Fair winds.
Sincerely,
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Monday, May 24, 2010
Vice Commandant Change of Watch Ceremony
Earlier today, VADM Sally Brice-O'Hara relieved VADM David Pekoske as Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard during a Change of Watch ceremony held at Fort McNair. Here is the text of the All Hands email that VADM Pekoske released to mark the occasion:
"To the Men and Women of the U. S. Coast Guard:
It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve as your Vice Commandant. We are all part of an extraordinary integrated-mission Service and, because of your hard work and resiliency, our workforce is our greatest asset. Your performance following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, your ongoing response to the Gulf oil spill and your daily execution of our broad mission set world-wide exemplifies the Coast Guard's value to the Nation. Thank you for all you do.
Under Admiral Allen's leadership, we have made great strides. We modernized our organizational structure, drastically improved service delivery and support for mission execution and we're developing a change-centric culture. Our services have never been in greater demand and I am extremely proud that, now more than ever, the Coast Guard is a model for the federal government.
Later this morning, I will pass the watch to Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara. You are in great hands. VADM Brice-O'Hara is an outstanding leader who brings to the job superlative expertise and commitment. The transition of senior leadership offers the organization the opportunity for healthy change and improvement. I encourage you to embrace the change and provide VADM Brice-O'Hara the same remarkable support that you provided to me.
Semper Paratus,
VADM David Pekoske
Vice Commandant"
"To the Men and Women of the U. S. Coast Guard:
It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve as your Vice Commandant. We are all part of an extraordinary integrated-mission Service and, because of your hard work and resiliency, our workforce is our greatest asset. Your performance following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, your ongoing response to the Gulf oil spill and your daily execution of our broad mission set world-wide exemplifies the Coast Guard's value to the Nation. Thank you for all you do.
Under Admiral Allen's leadership, we have made great strides. We modernized our organizational structure, drastically improved service delivery and support for mission execution and we're developing a change-centric culture. Our services have never been in greater demand and I am extremely proud that, now more than ever, the Coast Guard is a model for the federal government.
Later this morning, I will pass the watch to Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara. You are in great hands. VADM Brice-O'Hara is an outstanding leader who brings to the job superlative expertise and commitment. The transition of senior leadership offers the organization the opportunity for healthy change and improvement. I encourage you to embrace the change and provide VADM Brice-O'Hara the same remarkable support that you provided to me.
Semper Paratus,
VADM David Pekoske
Vice Commandant"
Friday, May 21, 2010
Navy SEAL Graduation - First Coast Guard Graduates
It could not have been a better day in San Diego as I attended the graduation of Navy SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) Class 277. I had the distinct honor of pinning Navy SEAL insignia on Coast Guard blue for the first time. Two Coast Guardsmen were among the newly designated Navy SEALs and made history as the first uniformed personnel ever assigned to an operational SEAL team while a member of another branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The two Coast Guard officers volunteered to attend Navy SEAL training under an agreement signed in July 2008 by the Coast Guard, Navy and Special Operations Command. The historic agreement allows up to four Coast Guardsmen a year the opportunity to train and integrate with an operational SEAL team before returning to their Service. The agreement is an extension of the Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower, which was signed by all three U.S. sea services in October 2007.
In the words of RADM Gary Bonelli, Deputy Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, who presided over the graduation ceremony, “Naval Special Warfare is proud to team with the nation's first U.S. Coast Guard officers qualified as U.S. Navy SEALs...During the past fourteen months, they have proven their mettle and have truly earned the right to be called our teammates. Cooperation among all services is a critical component of the National Maritime Strategy. Today's graduation is just one more example of the many integral ties that bind our maritime services."
Congratulations to SQT Class 277!
VADM David Pekoske
The two Coast Guard officers volunteered to attend Navy SEAL training under an agreement signed in July 2008 by the Coast Guard, Navy and Special Operations Command. The historic agreement allows up to four Coast Guardsmen a year the opportunity to train and integrate with an operational SEAL team before returning to their Service. The agreement is an extension of the Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower, which was signed by all three U.S. sea services in October 2007.
In the words of RADM Gary Bonelli, Deputy Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, who presided over the graduation ceremony, “Naval Special Warfare is proud to team with the nation's first U.S. Coast Guard officers qualified as U.S. Navy SEALs...During the past fourteen months, they have proven their mettle and have truly earned the right to be called our teammates. Cooperation among all services is a critical component of the National Maritime Strategy. Today's graduation is just one more example of the many integral ties that bind our maritime services."
Congratulations to SQT Class 277!
VADM David Pekoske
MCPO-CG Change of Watch Ceremony
Earlier today, MCPO Michael Leavitt relieved MCPO Charles Bowen as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. The ceremony was held at TRACEN Cape May and widely attended by members of the Coast Guard family. Representative Frank LoBiondo also attended as part of the official party.
Here is the ALCOAST marking the change of watch ceremony:
R 211935Z MAY 10
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01321//
MSGID/OTHER//
ALCOAST 259/10
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MASTER CHIEF MICHAEL P. LEAVITT HAS RELIEVED MASTER CHIEF CHARLES W. BOWEN AS THE ELEVENTH MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD AT 1300 TODAY.
2. MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR CORE VALUES BY HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING A 28-YEAR COAST GUARD CAREER. MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS AT COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS. HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS AFLOAT AND ASHORE ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDING OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) OF STATION MAUI (HI), USCGC POINT DORAN (WA), STATION HATTERAS (NC), STATION OCRACOKE (NC), STATION HUMBOLDT BAY (CA), STATION TILLAMOOK BAY (OR), AND STATION CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT (WA). BASED ON HIS PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, COMMITMENT TO THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE, AND DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE, HE WILL BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE COAST GUARD SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
3. I THANK MASTER CHIEF BOWEN FOR HIS 32 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL MILITARY SERVICE TO THE COAST GUARD AND THE NATION. HIS LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONAL SKILL, AND WISE COUNSEL WILL BE MISSED. HE WAS TRULY DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE COAST GUARD WORKFORCE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. HE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE PAY AND BENEFITS PARITY WITH OUR DOD COUNTERPARTS AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DETERIORATING CONDITION IN SOME OF OUR AGING HOUSING UNITS. HIS EFFORTS WILL BEAR FRUIT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN. THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE, HE ELEVATED THE VALUE OF THE SERVICE TO NEW HEIGHTS IN THE EYES OF OUR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS. AS A LEADER, HE EPITOMIZED THE GUARDIAN ETHOS. THOSE WORDS ADORNED THE WALLS OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE LIVED THE GUARDIAN ETHOS IN HIS DAILY ACTIONS. HE LEAVES AN ENDURING LEGACY FOR ALL OF US TO EMULATE AND I WISH HIM AND HIS WIFE JANET ALL THE BEST IN RETIREMENT.
4. RELEASED BY VADM DAVID PEKOSKE, VICE COMMANDANT.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT
Here is the ALCOAST marking the change of watch ceremony:
R 211935Z MAY 10
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01321//
MSGID/OTHER//
ALCOAST 259/10
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ: MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MASTER CHIEF MICHAEL P. LEAVITT HAS RELIEVED MASTER CHIEF CHARLES W. BOWEN AS THE ELEVENTH MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD AT 1300 TODAY.
2. MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR CORE VALUES BY HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING A 28-YEAR COAST GUARD CAREER. MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS AT COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS. HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS AFLOAT AND ASHORE ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDING OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) OF STATION MAUI (HI), USCGC POINT DORAN (WA), STATION HATTERAS (NC), STATION OCRACOKE (NC), STATION HUMBOLDT BAY (CA), STATION TILLAMOOK BAY (OR), AND STATION CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT (WA). BASED ON HIS PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE, COMMITMENT TO THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE, AND DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE, HE WILL BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE COAST GUARD SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM.
3. I THANK MASTER CHIEF BOWEN FOR HIS 32 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL MILITARY SERVICE TO THE COAST GUARD AND THE NATION. HIS LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONAL SKILL, AND WISE COUNSEL WILL BE MISSED. HE WAS TRULY DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE COAST GUARD WORKFORCE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. HE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE PAY AND BENEFITS PARITY WITH OUR DOD COUNTERPARTS AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DETERIORATING CONDITION IN SOME OF OUR AGING HOUSING UNITS. HIS EFFORTS WILL BEAR FRUIT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN. THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE, HE ELEVATED THE VALUE OF THE SERVICE TO NEW HEIGHTS IN THE EYES OF OUR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS. AS A LEADER, HE EPITOMIZED THE GUARDIAN ETHOS. THOSE WORDS ADORNED THE WALLS OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE LIVED THE GUARDIAN ETHOS IN HIS DAILY ACTIONS. HE LEAVES AN ENDURING LEGACY FOR ALL OF US TO EMULATE AND I WISH HIM AND HIS WIFE JANET ALL THE BEST IN RETIREMENT.
4. RELEASED BY VADM DAVID PEKOSKE, VICE COMMANDANT.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT
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