Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/140140
From the Editor From Our Readers LETTER OF THE MOnTH A PEEK BEHInD THE CGHQ CURTAIn THE MORE THInGS CHAnGE... 2 Greetings. This will be the last From the Editor column written from Cube 08-1009 located here in the Jemal Building in Southwest, DC as the Coast Guard begins its move to our new digs at the St. Elizabeth site across the Anacostia River in August. While change is always a bit unsettling, we are excited about the new facility: a facility designed and built specifically for the Coast Guard. We are also excited about the content in this issue of the Reservist in which we continue to bring you the latest news about organization initiatives as well as what we hope you find to be interesting stories about the happenings Around the Reserve. We are particularly pleased to have yet another The View from the Bridge guest column. It is coauthored by Vice Admiral Robert C. Parker and Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commanders Atlantic Area and Pacific Area, respectively, in which they share their perspectives as to, "the contributions of the Reserve Component across the full spectrum of Coast Guard missions performed daily around the world." This issue's Feature Story expands on the Area commander's strategic overview with a joint-Area Reserve Force Readiness System (RFRS) staff update. District and sector RFRS staff personnel provide articles about best practices and the value RFRS brings to Reserve readiness and competency at the deckplate. In addition, there is an update from the Deputy of Operational Logistics RFRS staff (DOL-31) on initiatives underway to ensure reservists are ready as reliable force multipliers in support of the Service's mission support functions. We are also pleased with the number of excellent stories we can offer thanks to the contributions of many field Public Affairs (PA) specialists. The support we continue to receive from PAs around the Coast Guard, both active duty and Reserve, is outstanding. If you see one in your travels, be sure to thank them for telling your stories so well. As always, thanks for reading. Anima est Bonus! Jeff Smith RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2013 As I walk away from Coast Guard Headquarters after having the distinct honor and privilege for the last three years to serve with the Yellow Ribbon Program in the Office of Reserve Affairs (CG-131), I do so with a greater pride in our organization and with a renewed excitement for its future. This experience has been an education for me, one that even at this late stage of my career, has better equipped me to be an asset to this organization. I would like to share a few of the areas that have impressed me the most. Office of Reserve Affairs. Having had the opportunity to serve in CG-131 provided me with a much better understanding of how the Coast Guard Reserve Program functions, and why policies are implemented and decisions are made. Without question, the best interests of the Reserve workforce are front and center when a decision is made. They are not made in a vacuum. Rather, they are made only after getting feedback from the field. That said, in the world where public law ultimately drives policy there is a clear line that CG-131 must follow. And, that may mean its decisions may not be what the individual would prefer. The amount of work that gets done within CG-131 is amazing. It's more than just initiatives like the Concept of Reserve Employment (CORE), Reserve Force Readiness System (RFRS), Reserve Workforce Structure Board (RWSB) or Reserve Policy Board (RBP) to name a few. As I write this, I wonder how many Reserve members are even familiar with CORE yet alone all other areas CG-131 handles? I wish I had had the opportunity to have worked in CG-131 when I was a junior officer. The understanding I would have gained then would have made me a better officer, manager and leader. If you are a JO, I highly recommend that you find a way to spend some time working at CG-131. There is no doubt you will walk away better for it. Senior Officer Leadership. This assignment has placed me in the position to brief and be briefed by many members of our senior leadership team up to and including the Commandant. They are all passionate, committed and dedicated individuals who really care about the organization as a whole. More importantly, they care about our members and their families. They truly espouse a sense of caring that you don't normally see in other services or large corporations. I have witnessed decisions driven by how the outcome affects the individual. This is not to say that some very tough decisions have to be made that individuals may perceive as being detrimental. But having had a peek behind the scenes, I feel confident in saying that the intent of these decisions is to balance the interest of the organization and the member. Senior Enlisted Leadership. My experience has allowed me to also work hand-in-hand with many of the Coast Guard's Senior Enlisted members, and every one of them has been exceptional in what they do and how they do it. I am extremely impressed by their dedication and service. With stiff backbones and a commitment to excellence, they provide exceptional leadership and direction while being a strong voice for the enlisted members of this organization. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with them; to observe them as they expertly administer their duties and responsibilities. Our enlisted force is fortunate to have them. Junior Enlisted Force. Having had the opportunity to sit on a few Officer Candidate School selection boards, I was amazed at the experience levels of the enlisted members. They come to the table with a wealth of education, experience, leadership, work ethics and more. The amount of volunteer work they did was humbling. And, this was not a reflection of the few but rather the many. This made selection very difficult as there were twice as many qualified and deserving individuals than there were positions. Those of us who sat on these boards walked away knowing that we have extremely bright and qualified members in the enlisted ranks. I know that the future of the Coast Guard is in good hands. New Recruits. During this assignment I have also gained a new and firsthand appreciation for those assigned to Cape May and for the quality of recruits entering the Coast Guard. I have a newfound appreciation for the