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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G en. George Patton once said, "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." As I prepare to transition into my new role as the Director of Reserve and Military Personnel, I reflect on these words, and how true they are. When I came onto active duty last year to lead the Human Capital Strategy (HCS) Implementation Team, I had no preconceived notions on how any of our focus areas should be executed. I simply trusted in the expertise and judgment of the many team members involved, and I was consistently impressed with the quality of the work. The year I spent leading the HCS effort was both personally and professionally satisfying. It also afforded me an invaluable opportunity to gain an appreciation of all the many responsibilities and challenges facing the Coast Guard and the challenges facing the Reserve. In fact, the more you learn about Coast Guard operations and support, the more you discover you still have a lot to learn! So, as I embark on this latest journey, I will once again take on the role of "new guy," trusting those around me to surprise me with their ingenuity. The degree of attention being placed on the Reserve is unlike any we've seen since 9/11. Evolving and emerging threats to the Homeland, coupled with our smaller end strength and reduced budgets, require us to extract every ounce of value from limited training opportunities. While these challenges are daunting, I know we have the right people in place to help lead change and ensure the continued relevance of the Reserve into the future. Capt. Mike Barton took on the role as acting Chief of the Office of Reserve Affairs (CG-131) last fall and did a remarkable job building the coalitions across Headquarters necessary to begin restoring critical resources to our program. This summer, Capt. Bill Csisar will bring his wealth of experience to CG-131 where he will help build on the phenomenal work currently getting done. In addition, through the hard work of senior leaders within the Reserve and Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) staffs, we've seen a remarkable maturation in the Reserve Component Force Planning System (RCFPS). By the end of this year, I expect to have nearly 90 percent of all Reserve positions on the Personnel Allowance List (PAL) under programmatic oversight. Understanding the Coast Guard's requirements will be essential to our ability to develop the right force, in the right places, at the right cost for the Coast Guard. That said, the CG-131 staff continues to work diligently with stakeholders across the Coast Guard to address concerns with our current staffing gaps. Restoring the Reserve to its authorized end strength of 7,000 is one of my primary objectives, and from what I've seen so far, I have every confidence we will succeed. Before taking over the helm, I thought deeply about where my focus would be during my tenure. Over the next few months, I will share more details on the issues and what we intend to do to keep the Reserve on track. However, there are three major areas of focus: (1) Stabilize and restore Reserve financial resources; (2) Restore the Reserve workforce; and (3) Use the RCFPS to guide force composition and mission assignments for the Reserve. We have a lot to do; like Gen. Patton, I trust the many talented leaders across the Reserve who will bring their passion and talents to the table to generate the creative solutions we need ensure the long-term viability and relevance of the Reserve. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Rear Adm. Kurt Hinrichs for his leadership over the past two years. During his tenure as Director of Reserve and Military Personnel, he oversaw changes in maternity leave policy, tattoo policy and other policies for the Coast Guard, in addition to the many issues impacting the Reserve directly. I salute him and wish him the best of luck as he, and his wife Amy, embark on the next chapter in their lives. I wish them both Fair Winds, and Following Seas. Semper Paratus. "I know we have the right people in place to help lead change and ensure the continued relevance of the Reserve into the future." Rese R vist Magazine t he v iew FR o M the B R idge Rear Admiral Andrew S. McKinley Acting Director of Reserve and Military Policy 6 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2017