Reservist

ISS3 2014

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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R ecently I was able to address most of my active duty Gold Badge counterparts at Training Center Cape May. Typically, you have a limited amount of time to talk because the schedule is booked solid and everyone has hot topics from their AOR. As I awaited my turn, I began listing the various topics that are affecting the Reserve component and appropriate for this specific gathering of senior leaders. Should you pick a topic that is not appropriate for this type of forum, they will very professionally but very quickly let you know. So as I began making my list -- Reserve CRSP, MK workgroup, HYT, Boat Forces Management Plan, budget reduction -- it became clear to me that all these topics will have a direct impact on morale. And, uniformed members at all levels have a role to play with morale and its impact on mission readiness and execution. With this in mind, I began by explaining that many Reserve members have never heard of many of the programs I had listed on my note pad. Without a broader understanding that each of these initiatives is there to correct or update a specific issue, a member might think that they were part of an effort to deplete the Reserve Component which is clearly not the case. I stressed to the assembled Gold Badges that collectively we need to keep our eyes open to the overall morale of our folks. Most of our members have little or no input into many of the changes that take place regularly in a military organization. As leaders we need to be proactive in helping them understand the reasons behind the change. Our reservists are very accustomed to reporting in for their drills and figuring out what has changed since last month. Did the combo on the door change or did the new BM1 report in yet? But policy changes, particularly those at the HQ level, are altogether different. These changes can affect careers and assignments. Many members have limited knowledge as to the rationale that drives these changes. And, human nature being what it is, members come up with a reason based upon their knowledge (often limited) and tend to share it with their peers. If that shared knowledge is based off good information with data to back it up, that can be a good thing. However, if their information is inaccurate that can lead to poor morale or members making bad choices – or both. Nothing can be more disruptive to a unit's morale then having bad information passed by one of our leaders. I recently sat on a panel during the Chief's Academy Reserve Class XXXVI. Based on the list of concerns submitted prior to their arrival, it was apparent that many of the Chiefs came to the Academy with preconceived opinions about many of the changes affecting the Reserve program. During their time at the academy they were able to gather information which enabled them to better understand the "why" behind the changes. While certainly not everyone was in total agreement, they came away far more knowledgeable. Knowledge they would share with their fellow reservists. While there may be little that most of us can do about policy changes or the budget, every member can control how they attain and handle information. It is paramount that each of us has a good understanding of these changes by reading and understanding all the reference material provided. We must then expand our horizon to see how this affects the entire Coast Guard and not just our unit. Understanding the proverbial "big picture" is critical to understanding that the Coast Guard Reserve's role is providing multiple capabilities to the American taxpayer. We must maintain a viable workforce that is ready and trained to answer that call. And, as with any organization, we must constantly self examine our policies and procedures to make sure we remain relevant in an environment that is, itself, in a constant state of change. Finally, while change is unsettling, it is necessary just as morale is necessary to mission readiness and execution. Understand. Communicate. Lead. Deckplate Soundings Master Chief Kirk Murphy Atlantic Area Reserve Command Master Chief "Understanding the proverbial "big picture" is critical to understanding that the Coast Guard Reserve's role is providing multiple capabilities to the American taxpayer." Issue 3 • 2014 � RESERVIST 7

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