Shipmates,
As we posted the Top Ten Videos for 2008 we noticed that we were approaching our 100th blog entry. I thought I would note number 100 with some thoughts on the future.
Our journey into social media has been challenging and rewarding. We are gaining competency as an organization and a better understanding of how the synergy of information technology and social networks can improve our performance. Looking ahead I see a migration to a larger Coast Guard blog enabled by the new Coast Guard Portal. We will have the opportunity to broaden the scope of the content and engage more voices as posters and commenters. The Coast Guard Magazine will become web based with refreshed content that is not possible between printings. We will look to post our annual posture statement and budget materials for full access and will explore how to keep our members updated as we move through the appropriations and authorization process with the new Congress and new Administration. I have challenged my headquarters staff to embed wiki-type platforms to manage knowledge from hearing preparations to foreign travel. We also need to explore using social media as a means to improve and shorten our rulemaking process. This won’t happen overnight, but we must make continual progress. At the same time, we will be ever mindful of security and privacy requirements.
I look forward to updating all of you on our transition activities after the first of the year. On 20 January we will have a chance to celebrate the genuis of our Constitution that provides the framework for the peaceful transition of government where we will honor our current and new Commander in Chief.
I thank all who have posted and commented thus far. I appreciate people following the guidance we have published in previous ALCOASTS when crafting their remarks. Remember, we are Guardians to each other just as we are Guardians to the maritime public.
For those of you who are holding back I ask that you find your voice.
ADM A
