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/498190
PSU 312 Receives DoD's Family Readiness Recognition U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 312, home ported in San Francisco received the Department of Defense's (DoD) 2014 Reserve Family Readiness Award during a recognition ceremony held at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, Friday, February 27, 2015. The event was hosted by Mr. Richard O. Wightman, Jr., the Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs in conjunction with retired Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, the President of the Military Officers Association of America. Established in 2000, the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Awards Program honors the top unit level family readiness program in each of the seven Reserve Components. The program recognizes the critical importance of family readiness as the Nation continues to rely on significant numbers of reservists to fill vital missions at home and overseas. Unit family readiness programs enhance the deployability of Guard and Reserve units and they represent a vital link to the many networks supporting Reserve families. PSU 312, one of the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces, was recognized for its efforts during a nine-month deployment in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Cuba which was preceded by a three-month pre-mobilization training period. Under the guidance of Commander Tiffany Danko, unit personnel work closely with the CG's Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) to ensure member and family readiness through a series of events focused on connecting family members to a myriad of CG Work Life support services during all phases of deployment. During the unit's time in Cuba, family members received a monthly newsletter with articles and photographs chronicling a variety of individual member and unit activities. The unit's command ombudsman team, led by Ms Mina Canning, worked to assist families of deployed members with disaster preparedness. This proactive approach proved critical when an earthquake struck Napa Valley in northern California and the team was able to ensure the health and well-being of all affected family members. In addition, deployed personnel coordinated a fundraising event raising over $7,000 from the Guantanamo Bay community to help the child of a unit member who had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. In an effort to keep members and families connected the unit produced a video which was shown during the mid-deployment YRP event. The video provided family members with "virtual" up close and personal messages from their loved ones whom they had not seen in over four months. Rear Admiral James Heinz, the Coast Guard's Director of Reserve and Military Personnel, attended the ceremony along with CG Reserve Force Master Chief Eric Johnson. "The members of PSU 312 are a great reflection of the entire Reserve force," stated Heinz. "Their professionalism and proficiency is only rivaled by their commitment to the well-being of their shipmates and families." — Republished from the CG All Hands Blog Members of Port Security Unit 312 receive the 2014 Reserve Family Readiness Award at a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, d.C. February 27, 2015. Pictured from left are Master Chief Petty Offcer Timothy Beard, Command Master Chief PSU 312; Petty First Class Michael Canning, his wife Mina Canning and their daughter, Olivia; Commander Tiffany danko, Commanding Offcer PSU 312; Hon. Richard Wightman, Jr., Principal deputy Assistant Secretary of defense (Reserve Affairs); Rear Adm. James Heinz, Chief of the Coast Guard Reserve; Master Chief eric Johnson, Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief; and Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan, Jr. USN (Ret.), President and CeO of Military Offcers Association of America. Photo by Lt. Travis Thornell 12 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2015