Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly 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/386902
Letters (cont.) To the Editor: This letter is offered to my fellow Reserve Officers. Throughout my 17 years as a commissioned officer in the USCGR (28 years total with enlisted time), I have had the distinct privilege to sit on many boards, both for the active duty and Reserve forces. Direct commission boards, promotion boards, War and Staff College boards, OCS boards, Direct Commission boards, MSSI boards and the like. Throughout all of these boards I have picked up on a few things that I feel would be important to put out there for all of you, whom seek, bars, leafs, birds and stars. Officer Evaluation Reports (OER): The first and most important thing to point out is the importance of a strong OER. You must always remember that the men and woman that sit on these boards may not know you or what you do as a reserve officer. You are a person on paper, and the members of these boards have only your record to look at, for the most part without ever having any personal contact or information about you previously. It is important to sell yourself through your work as a reservist. Keeping track regularly of all things you do during your weekends and 2 weeks ADT by making note of performance via a word document or other document will certainly be crucial when you sit down and do your OER for your supervisor. A lot of us that do not write things down during the month may forget, and as you age, you start to forget even more frequently. Keeping track of your performance by making notes and jotting things down for document entry will certainly help in making sure the OER flows. Boards that see OERs that are loaded with acronyms, that doesn't flow and is not well put together may not get the attention that a well formulated put together OER would get. Periodically contact your Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) to make sure all your paperwork is up to date. It is extremely important to make sure your ESS (Employee Summary Sheet, CG 4082 form) is up to date. Boards see these forms, and if there are things missing, oh well. This is your future that is being reviewed. I personally contact my SPO regularly especially when I have a recent submission or up-coming board, and always get a copy of my most recently updated ESS. Don't feel as though you are putting pressure on the admin folks, they don't mind as this is what they get paid to do. Once again this is your future and having updated paperwork could be the difference between selection or not. Education: Most officers in the reserve have at least a bachelor's degree. I have observed comments from many board members stating that even though a candidate received a degree years ago, they had simply stopped furthering their education. This possibly could raise a red flag depending upon the board. Boards are looking for officers to always continue their education at every stage of their career. This could be accomplished either with an advanced degree or by attending a command and staff college, war college course etc. Cmdr. Lisa Van Buskirk submitted a great piece last month (Volume LX1, Issue 2, 2014) referencing the importance of command and staff colleges, a great read. She provided solid advice for both earning points for attending these courses and the importance that these schools could provide for your future. Never stop educating yourself; the boards are looking for it. Leadership/Billets: I have noticed on most occasions that boards are looking for officers that are continuously put in positions of leadership within the Reserve. We all know how important billet selection is and by keeping yourself strong leading people in your billet you will be on the right track. The most important billets for future movement, at least now, seem to be joint agency, EPLO, SRO or PSU billets. I know these billets are few and far between but by getting the proper qualifications for these billets through command and staff, war college courses and strong job performance, you might find yourself selected for these critical billets. At times, an officer may find himself/herself, whether for personal reasons or not, in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR). If you find yourself in this position and you at some point desire a billet, make sure you find a job and keep yourself competitive. Doing 50 drills and minimum job performance will show itself to a board. Find a job, like an EPLO position, and pour yourself into it. As it is practical, attempt to maximize your points while in the IRR. Boards look at people in the IRR the same as they would an officer with a paid billet. Maximum participation within the IRR will go a long way. Travel: The days of working in the CGR within the same district in which you live are virtually gone. This is especially true at the Lt. Cmdr. and above level. Don't be afraid to travel, it really is not that bad. I have personally been doing it for 2 years now and have enjoyed the changes and challenges that I have confronted. Boards are looking for people that aren't afraid to travel and the dedication to the Reserve for which this brings. I certainly realize that this is not easy for everyone but in the future in order for you to continue as a Reserve Officer, you may not have a choice but to travel, embrace it. Mentor: I recently had the occasion to meet and speak with a retired CG Admiral whom provided more mentorship to me in 4 days than I had received in my previous 17 years as a Reserve Officer. I am glad I sought some advice from him and let me tell you, he was more than happy to provide it. Sometimes we don't travel down the right career path, for whatever reason, and without knowing or realizing it, we may continue on that path. Seek mentorship from a senior officer. If you find the right mentor they will provide a road which may lead you to a brighter future. There is no doubt senior officers would be honored and more than happy to provide this mentorship. I certainly realize that many Reserve Officers are aware of the few hints that I have provided. I am also certain that there are some of us out there who had very little knowledge about these few hints. If this helps just one or two of you, then it will have beenworth putting out there. I wish you all the best as you continue along the Reserve Officer path. — Cmdr. Jim Johnson, LANTAREA 53, USCGR CORRECTIOnS: To the Editor: On page 21 (Volume LXI, Issue 2, 2014) of the Reservist there is a picture showing MSTC Natalie Riley and MECM Glenn Fuhs. However, in the caption MECM Fuhs was given the title of a MEC and his first name is spelled wrong. Additionally, it calls Chief Riley MST3 Riley. Hopefully, this can be corrected. Sincerely, — MECM Tim Beard, USCGR note: Master Chief, duly noted and corrected. Thanks. 50 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2014