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
The View from the Bridge Rear Adm. James M. heinz Acting, Director of Reserve T he famous American photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams once noted that "In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." Being a civil engineer by training and disposition – I really enjoy analyzing and understanding how things work – I can easily relate to Adams' view of new experiences. My assignment as the Acting Director of Reserve and Military Personnel is an experience to which I look forward to exploring with great interest, enthusiasm and humility. There is a lot I must know and understand to effectively and efficiently provide the leadership that you, our Reserve force, deserve and require. A significant part of my exploration has been extensive interaction with the Office of Reserve Affairs staff in the persons of Capt. Kofi Aboayge, Mr. Grafton "Chip" Chase, Cmdr. Alex Foos and many others. These discussions have left me with two initial thoughts: one, a deep appreciation of how important the Coast Guard Reserve is to our Service's ability to respond to surge and contingency operations, and two, how truly dedicated and motivated our reservists are. You are the epitome of the Commandant's guiding principles – Service to Nation, Duty to People, and Commitment to Excellence - placing Service above self and always there when needed, responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or simply supporting daily Coast Guard operations. This month (October) I will take my research to the field as I travel with Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief Eric Johnson. We plan to visit with reservists at various levels of the Coast Guard, from Stations who are engaged in small boat operations and ports, waterways and coastal security to District and Sector level response and prevention. I am truly excited to see firsthand how our integrated Reserve force displays its Commitment to Excellence by building its competency and professionalism through on-the-job unit level training and pursues excellence by augmenting local day-to-day and surge operations. I am leaning hard on Master Chief and will continue to do so as I build my competency and proficiency as the Acting Director of Reserve. As I am sure you are aware, we are faced with a challenging budget environment and are not likely to see any relief in the near term. We must continue our efforts to find better, more effective ways to meet our mission, which for the Coast Guard Reserve is to remain ready to answer whenever and wherever the need arises. At the headquarters level this means partnering with stakeholders like the Office of Boat Forces to fine-tune the new Boat Forces Reserve Management Plan. The plan, which was implemented in January of this year, is designed to ensure that the portfolio of reservists assigned within the Boat Forces community are capable of providing sustained small boat coverage for surge and contingency operations. While it is early in its development, the preliminary reports from the field indicate the new currency cycles are improving certification rates and by extension overall Reserve operational readiness. In this issue of the Reservist you will read several stories about the outstanding things reservists are doing to support our Coast Guard every day. Of particular note is a case involving an all-Reserve crew from Station Miami Beach, Fla. The crew, which was operating the station's 33' Special Purpose Craft, responded to a jet ski incident involving an 11 year old boy who nearly drowned. The crew used its training and experience to retrieve the child from the water, perform CPR and get victim life-saving medical treatment. To me, this clearly represents the internalization of the Commandant's priorities and the "bang-for-the-buck" benefit we get from our investment in a dedicated, well trained Reserve. In closing, let me say how humbled and proud I am to have been given the opportunity to oversee such an important Coast Guard asset – you, the Coast Guard Reserve. I will continue to be your biggest advocate, supporting you today and in the future. Semper Paratus! "There is a lot I must know and understand to effectively and effciently provide the leadership that you, our Reserve force, deserve and require." 6 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2014