The Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs (CG-0921) is seeking nominations for the 2020 John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs Officer of the Year Award.
Field government affairs officers (GAO) are critical to advancing the Commandant's Strategic Intent by executing Congressional engagements and building professional relationships.
This award recognizes and rewards those who have excelled in executing GAO responsibilities during calendar year 2020, and is named in honor of CDR John J. (J.J.) Jaskot (1954-2020).
Only active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary members assigned GAO responsibilities full-time or as a collateral duty are eligible.
About GAOs
The Coast Guard employs full-time and collateral duty GAOs at the area, district, Force Readiness Command, and unit level. In some cases, the GAO may also be the public affairs officer (PAO), or the external affairs officer (EAO). GAOs are responsible for assisting the commander with overseeing and coordinating outreach within their area of responsibility (AOR).
GAOs are responsible for educating and informing stakeholders regarding local operations, planning /coordinating outreach efforts with federal, state, local, tribal, community and industry leaders, overseeing external and internal relationship building, managing engagement preparation and follow-up documentation, ensuring consistent and unified Coast Guard messaging, and guiding, as needed, units within their area of responsibility (AOR) with outreach.
A key GAO function is to develop professional relationships and build trust with the state / district staff of members of Congress in their AOR. These relationships are vital to keeping members informed of the Coast Guard’s activities, and providing an established link if they have questions or concerns.
About Cmdr. Jaskot
Cmdr. Jaskot graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1976 and proudly served on active duty for 20 years with service afloat, as a maritime attorney, two tours in Congressional Affairs, as well as a deployment to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War, earning the Combat Action Ribbon. Jaskot’s final tour was as the Coast Guard’s Liaison to the U.S. Senate, where he set the standard for representing the Coast Guard to the U.S. Congress. After his retirement in 1996, he remained active in the Congressional Affairs Alumni network serving as a good friend and mentor to countless personnel assigned to Coast Guard Congressional Affairs.
Nomination Procedures
- Nominations must be limited to one page and be emailed to Commandant (CG-0921), Michele Zauche by close of business May 14.
- If the submission is NOT coming from the chief of staff or equivalent, please ensure the chief of staff is copied.
- A panel of CG-0921 personnel will evaluate all submissions the week of May 17 to select the GAO of the Year.
Resources
- Solicitation of Nominees for the 2020 John J. Jaskot Governmental Affairs (GAO) of the Year Award ALCOAST 163/21
- Direct additional questions to Michele Zauche at COMDT (CG-0921).