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
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Awards Defense Meritorious Service Medal Capt. Frank Schaefer Joint Service Commendation Medal Cmdr. Craig Wennet Cmdr. Mike Arnold Cmdr. Bill Cassels Lt. Cmdr. Neal Kite Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Halloran Lt. John Garr Coast Guard Commendation Medal Lt.j.g. Joshua A. Denney Joint Service Achievement Medal Lt. Cmdr. Bill Kintz Coast Guard Achievement Medal Lt. Gregory C. Fernley Commandant's Letter of Commendation BM1 Adrien O. Cheval HS1 Jennifer Corns MST2 Allison Bridges SN Nicole Wagner Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal BM3 Ryan Rawding MK3 Derek Buehler Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal BMC Brian Bird Korean Defense Service Medal Lt. Todd Remusat Auxiliary Letter of Commendation PSCM Philip Williamson, II (Ret.) Closing the loop: Rear Adm. John S. Welch retires at the Academy Rear Adm. John S. Welch's retirement was held where his journey began just over 36 years ago at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The formal ceremony took place on June 28, 2014 in front of many family, friends, and shipmates and was presided over by the 25th Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Paul Zukunft. Welch and his family were formally recognized for their selfless service during the ceremony. When asked what was the key to his successful career was, Welch noted, "It could not have been done without the support of my family, my service and my civilian employer. If any one of those three fail, I would become completely ineffective." Welch, a native of Fairborn, Ohio, entered the Coast Guard Academy to pursue an electrical engineering degree immediately following his graduation from high school. Following his graduation from the Academy in May, 1982, he reported to the buoy tender CGC Bramble home ported in Port Huron, Michigan. After completing five years of active service, he began his Reserve career and a civil service career at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Although Welch and his family continued to call Fairborn, Ohio, home, his Reserve career took him all over the country. Prior to his most recent position as Atlantic Area Senior Reserve Officer, Welch served as Senior Reserve Officer at Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, Calif.; Atlantic Area Reserve Chief of Staff in Portsmouth, Va; Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command – Joint Reserve Unit and Commanding Officer, Coast Guard's JFCOM Reserve Unit in Suffolk, Va; Executive Officer, Coast Guard's JFCOM Reserve Unit; Senior Duty Officer at the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Il.; Reserve Command Advisor for the Coast Guard's Operations System Center in Martinsburg, W. V.; and Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Detachment, Wheeling, W. V. Welch lived by the Coast Guard motto of "Semper Paratus" by always being ready to mobilize. In addition to his Selective Reserve (SELRES) assignments and challenging civilian career with the U.S. Air Force, he was recalled to active duty for the Midwest Floods, Operations Noble Eagle/ Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and as the Deputy Commander for the Coast Guard's Deployable Operations Group headquartered at Arlington, Va. Under Welch's leadership, Reserve forces full administrative readiness across all categories rose significantly. Welch personally championed the identification and documentation of all SELRES required mobilization competencies by ensuring the seven Concept of Reserve Employment messages were cascaded and leveraged by the field, and that nearly all billets had at least one competency assigned. He formalized the surge staffing processes Coast Guard-wide, extensively documented complex mobilization and de-mobilization procedures, and created an innovative rotation plan. Due to his exemplary efforts, the United States Coast Guard is better postured for the next call to action. During Welch's many unit visits he took with him a list of key talking points to ensure our shipmates had the latest information regarding policy updates and strategic initiatives. Over the years the talking points changed to accommodate policy changes and current events. The last talking point, however, never changed. Welch would always end with, "be flexible, trust your leadership," and most importantly, "have fun." Welch will continue to live by these principles as he assumes an even more challenging role in his civilian career as the Chief Engineer for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Programming in helping to acquire a new Air Force One. — Submitted by Capt. Doug Dawson, Atlantic Area Reserve Chief of Staff Issue 3 • 2014 � RESERVIST 49