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
As a civilian, Norton combines her creativity and experience with project management, regulatory compliance, research, development and technology expertise as a social entrepreneur. Norton impacts her community in countless ways and develops websites to announce charitable companies and non-profit events worldwide. Further, Norton created care suitcases – large rolling suitcases with food and supplies – for homeless veterans. "As reservists, we don't say 'this is a civilian skill, this is a Coast Guard skill,'" said Norton. "We mix our skills together, which benefits everybody." Norton's all-encompassing commitment to Coast Guard missions is also exemplified by her role as an active Coast Guard Auxiliary member since 2004. As an auxiliarist, she co-created a ready for operations program under review for Auxiliary fleet wide acceptance. "I am continually inspired by the contributions of our Coast Guard reservists, especially Chief Petty Officer Stepheni Norton," said Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief Mark H. Allen. "She serves concurrently as a reservist, auxiliarist, small business owner, homeowner, fiancée, daughter and community leader. Her example has inspired her shipmates as it has me." — Reprinted, in part, from a Coast Guard Compass Blog post by Lt. Stephanie Young Chief Petty offcer Stepheni norton briefs members of PSU 311 at the unit's boat house in guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Reservist Completes 36 Month Deepwater Horizon Deployment Hunstville, Ala., native and Coast Guard Lt. Delyte Montoya, a reservist with Coast Guard Sector Mobile, recently returned from an extended tour of duty for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. Montoya was called to active duty in May 2010 and remained on active status for the 36 Capt. duke Walker presents Lt. delyte Montoya with the months following Coast guard Commendation Medal for her efforts in response the deepwater Horizon oil spill. her report date. Answering the call to duty, she served as part of the stand-up crew for Incident Command Post (ICP) Mobile, and supervised 15 members of the Critical Resources Unit, which immediately developed check-in processes and procedures for the training and deployment of more than 1,000 Coast Guard personnel to the front lines of the response. While serving as the Critical Resources Unit Leader, Montoya identified a need for better resource tracking. She spearheaded the development of a comprehensive personnel tracking software program to ensure accountability for all Coast Guard response personnel. This software has remained in use by the Gulf Coast Incident Management Team for the duration of the response. She facilitated strategic plans for installation of GPS devices on skimming equipment, resulting in strict accountability of 150 pieces of critical equipment and allowed more effective allocation of resources. Montoya was then assigned the role of Mississippi Branch Planner where she maintained oversight of more than 2,000 contractors and 3,000 pieces of response equipment. She successfully drafted and presented an efficiency plan that reduced the response footprint from 2,000 to 1,100 personnel, reduced equipment from 3,000 pieces to 1,760, and streamlined contract tiers, which resulted in a reduction in monthly spending of $1.7 million. "In the Coast Guard, the range of our missions, responsibilities and operations demands that we make the most out of every dollar entrusted to us," said Montoya. "Efficient utilization of resources was critical to the overall success of this response." In January 2013, Montoya was selected to establish the position of the Deputy Operations Section Chief for Eastern States. In this role, she successfully coordinated clean up operations and responses to re-oiling reports for more than 300 miles of coastline. "This has been a very challenging but also very rewarding experience," said Montoya. "Out in the field, you saw immediate results for your work. I'm leaving at the precipice of the eastern states' transition into a final phase of the response. I'm grateful to have had the experience and am looking forward to be heading home to spend more time with my family." Montoya was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation for her work on the response. — Story and photo by PA1 Elizabeth Bordelon Photo courtesy of BM3 Michael Lesley Issue 2 • 2013 � RESERVIST 9