In a surprise ceremony at Aviation Training Center (ATC) Mobile, Alabama, an aviation machinery technician Mathew P. Riemer was meritoriously advanced from petty officer second class to first class in the company of his family and Coast Guard senior leadership.
Riemer’s selection at the FORCECOM level is part of changes to the Meritorious Advancement Program (MAP), which expands promotion authority to district commanders, FORCECOM, Director of Logistics, Coast Guard Cyber Command, and Personnel Service Center rear admirals.
ATC Mobile became the first member of a one-star command to operationalize this new policy when it hosted the surprise advancement ceremony Oct. 26, 2020. The ceremony caught Petty Officer Riemer completely off guard – even his wife and father, who were in attendance, didn’t tell him ahead of time. The event can be viewed on the ATC Mobile Facebook page: https://fb.watch/1mYfKdp0kp/
Dr. Gladys Brignoni, Director of the Coast Guard’s Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) advanced Riemer virtually, and FORCECOM’s Command Master Chief Jeff Waters was able to attend in person to help recognize Reimer’s accomplishments.
“I am proud to recognize Petty Officer Riemer who continues to show superior leadership skills and stands out above the rest— he is already performing at the E-6 level and above,” said Capt. Christopher J. Hulser, Aviation Training Center Mobile commanding officer.
Meritorious advancement enables Coast Guard senior leadership to identify and advance the most talented, experienced and proficient members based on demonstrated performance and ability. The program’s intent is to give Coast Guard leadership the opportunity to recognize their best members by advancing them when they are ready for the next level of responsibility.
Hulser added first hand appreciation for the changes to the MAP program, “I’m extremely grateful that the Coast Guard expanded the authority for flag officers down to the district level to convey a meritorious advancement — it is a great avenue to fast-track promotion for Coast Guardsmen who embody the absolute best values of our service and are outperforming their peers,”
As reflected in his nomination submission, Riemer demonstrates the service’s core values in the office and in his personal time, serving as an example that shipmates – at any level – can follow. Beyond exceptional performance in his operational role, Riemer has worked to strengthen community partnerships between the Coast Guard and the Mobile community as a volunteer with the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Riemer’s efforts have been recognized by supervisors, peers, and the pilots with whom he flies. His official recognition includes ATC Mobile Enlisted Person of the Quarter, selected by the HC-144 Ocean Sentry pilots as the most outstanding aircrew member, as well the aviation community’s coveted Perchard Award.
Check here for details on how to nominate someone for the Meritorious Advancement Program recognition.