2021 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator of the Year Awardee: Congratulations to Regional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Shari Freeman on being named the 2021 Liz Blanc Exceptional SARC of the Year. Freeman currently serves as the Fifth District, Training Center Cape May’s SARC, where she provides programmatic oversight for 1,650 active duty and reserve personnel attached to 35 units throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the Coast Guard’s only enlisted accession point—Training Center Cape May. Freeman trained 1,700 personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, restructuring all the courses to be delivered by alternative means and using her engaging training style and innovative tactics to encourage others to become force multipliers in their respective units. Freeman’s extraordinary efforts greatly improved the visibility and trust in the Coast Guard Sexual Assault, Prevention, Response and Recovery Program—also known as the SAPRR Program. To learn more about Freeman’s work, please read the 2021 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) of the Year Awardee ALCOAST 172/21. Bravo Zulu Shari Freeman and thank you for all you do for our members!
2021 Excellence in Primary Prevention (Sexual Assault) Award Winner: Congratulations to Staff Judge Advocate of the Ninth District, Cmdr. Brendan Gavin, winner of the 2021 Excellence in Primary Prevention Award on April 29, 2021. This prestigious award recognizes those, like Gavin, who undertook significant efforts that led to demonstrable or helpful changes in sexual assault outcomes. Gavin led various personnel assigned to small boat units, cutters, as well as sector and district through a moderated risk-analysis study of inappropriate behaviors along the continuum of harm that allowed for open dialog and discussion about these behaviors. Gavin provided real-world examples and exercises, pairing these with trends and patterns, ultimately facilitating a discussion on the common behavioral pitfalls that negatively affect prevention and response actions needed to end sexual assault and sexual harassment. Please read more about Gavin’s efforts in the 2021 Excellence in Primary Prevention (SEXUAL ASSAULT) Award Winner ALCOAST 165/21. Bravo Zulu Cmdr. Gavin and thank you for all your continued hard work!
Coast Guard Academy Sailing Team Wins Big: Congratulations to the Coast Guard Academy Sailing Team who finished second at the Thompson Trophy regatta on April 13, 2021. The regatta, hosted in part by the University of Rhode Island, was the first regatta since Spring 2020. First Class Year Cadet Christina Nothacker and First Class Year Cadet Gage Schoenherr both finished first in their division.
33rd Annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium Canceled: Due to COVID-19, The Sea Services Leadership Association has postponed its in-person annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS). It was originally scheduled for August 31, 2021 to September 1, 2021 in Norfolk, Virginia. The event will be postponed until 2022. The Coast Guard plans to recognize the recipients of the Captain Dorothy Stratton Women’s Leadership Award and the Master Chief Petty Officer Pearl Faurie Women’s Leadership Award virtually later this year. The exact date is still unknown. Additional information regarding the conference and the awards can be found on see the 33rd Annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS) Cancellation ALCOAST 166/21.
Solicitation—Seeking Nominations for the 2020 John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs Officer of the Year Award: The Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs (CG-0921) is seeking nominations for the 2020 John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs Officer (GAO) of the Year Award. Field GAOs are critical to advancing the Coast Guard’s strategic goals through executing Congressional engagements. This award recognizes those who have excelled in executing GAO responsibilities during the 2020 calendar year. Only active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary members assigned GAO responsibilities full-time or as collateral duty are eligible. Nominations must be limited to one page and be emailed to Michele Zauche by close of business, May 14, 2021. For more information on the award and how to nominate, please see the Solicitation of Nominees for the 2020 John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs Officer (GAO) of the Year Award ALCOAST 163/21.
Solicitation—2021-2022 Coast Guard Foundation Enlisted Reserve Scholarships to Open July 1, 2021: The Coast Guard Foundation Enlisted Reserve Scholarships will be awarding eight $1,000 scholarships to enlisted Coast Guard reservists and/or their eligible dependents. Scholarship applications must consist of: a signed, one-page cover letter attesting to eligibility of the application; a one-page typed essay describing an accomplishment the applicant is proud of and how experience with the Coast Guard Reserve has enabled or inspired that accomplishment; and an official transcript from the educational institution attended during the 2020-2021 academic year or proof of enrollment if no grades have been received at this time. These application packages should be emailed—not mailed— no later than Aug. 16, 2021. Additional information about the scholarships, the application process, and the selection process can be found on the 2021-2022 Coast Guard Foundation Enlisted Reserve Scholarships ALCOAST 162/21. and on the Coast Guard Foundation website.