The Association for Rescue at Sea Gold and Silver Awards: The Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) is a non-profit foundation that supports services concerned with saving lives at sea. The AFRAS Gold and Silver medals are the highest search and rescue awards presented to a Coast Guard member by a civilian organization. The gold medal was established in 1982 and is presented annually to a Coast Guard enlisted person for an act of extraordinary bravery during a rescue at sea. The silver medal was established in 2000 and is presented annually to a deserving Coast Guard auxiliarist. To be eligible, the enlisted member or auxiliarist must have been involved in a lifesaving rescue from the perils of the sea where the nominee’s heroic actions are uniquely distinguished. Units are encouraged to submit nominations through their chain of command. Nominations must consist of the following: a cover letter identifying the nominee and pay grade (if applicable), current duty station/auxiliary flotilla, and expiration of enlistment (if applicable); Coast Guard Award Recommendation Form CG-1650; a one-page award citation; a one to two page summary of action that fully describes the rescue; any additional information pertinent to AFRAS evaluation of the nomination. More details can be found in the Association for Rescue at Sea 2020 Gold and Silver Awards Solicitation ALCOAST 183/21.
The 2021 Civil Rights Service Provider Superior Service Award (Biennial): The Civil Rights Service Provider (CRSP) Superior Service Award recognizes a civilian employee or military member whose outstanding contributions ensured the success of the Coast Guard civil rights mission. This solicitation is for the period between May 1, 2019 and May 1, 2021. CRSPs are a vital link between civilian employees, military members, and the chain of command as they actively administer the Coast Guard’s civil rights program. To nominate an individual, nomination packages must be sent to Juan Torres no later than June 23, 2021. Nomination packages must be in MS Word format and consist of the following: a letter of recommendation - not more than two pages – describing the meritorious accomplishments that support the award criteria; an award citation highlighting the nominee’s accomplishments, not exceeding 12 lines, 12-point font, single-spaced with one inch left and right margins; and a command cover memo with signature forwarding the package. Learn more about the award in the Mat 2021 Solicitation for the 2021 Civil Rights Service Provider Superior Service Award (Biennial) ALCOAST 181/21.
The Coast Guard Organizational Assessment Survey: Beginning May 17, 2021, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will be sending email invitations to all Coast Guard active duty, selected reserve and civilian members a user-specific link to take the Coast Guard Organizational Assessment Survey. These emails should not be forwarded to others. All members, and the selected reserve and civilian members, should make every effort to complete the survey, which will take approximately 30-45 minutes. The survey is planned to end on or about Aug. 13, 2021. Each unit must designate a unit point of contact, who will serve as the local source of information for the survey and will be provided tools to use the information at the unit level. Unit points of contact should send their name, unit name, email address, and telephone number to the program manager, Jeyanthi Flora Wesley, no later than May 24, 2021. More information on the survey can be found in the 2021 Coast Guard Organizational Assessment Survey (CG-OAS) ALCOAST 179/21.