Incoming Merchant Marine Midshipmen who have been selected to become CG officers.
Originally uploaded by uscgpress
I was "on the road" yesterday attending two significant events.
Frist, as VADM Pearson posted earlier, we cut the ribbon on the new Surface Forces Logistics Center and the Asset Product Office.
In addition to the comments provided by VADM Pearson, I would like to note that we were pleased and honored to be joined by our House Authorization SubCommittee Chairman, Elijah Cummings, and Representative "Dutch" Ruppersburger, a new member of the Homeland Security Appropriations SubCommittee. The very large crowd assembled for the event heard strong statements of support from both Congressmen. Chairman Cummings expressed his support for our modernization efforts and his desire to quickly pass legislation authorizing our new leadership positions. Representative Ruppersburger, a former prosecutor, is extremely interested in our itnelligence program and drug interdiction mission. We are scheduling briefs for him at Headquarters in the near future.
Following the SFLC/APO ceremony I flew to New York and spent the remainder of the day at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. I received a number of briefings and was able to visit classrooms and labs. I had a chance to meet the Merchant Marine Midshipmen who will be commissioned as Coast Guard Ensigns following graduation this year.
While the Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy compete fiercely on the athletic field, we are strong partners in insuring the efficient, safe, and secure operation of the Unites States and global maritime transporation system. Our Coast Guard officer assigned to USMMA, LT Hoon Park, has done a super job facilitating our recruiting efforts. As part of our larger Marine Safety Performance Plan, building a competent and diverse workforce is critical to meeting stakeholder expectations and our own performance standards. I also made a quick visit to Station Kings Point and later that evening I addressed the Regiment and local sponsor families.
It was a very productive day.
ADM A
