2020 Coast Guard Elite Male and Female Athletes of the Year: On May 5, 2021, Ensign Kathleen Spotz, stationed at Sector Northern New England in South Portland, Maine, and Lt. j.g. Christopher White, stationed at Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven, Connecticut, were named the 2020 Coast Guard Elite Female and Male Athletes of the year, respectively.
Spotz received this honor in recognition of her superior performance as a runner. She is an endurance athlete and charitable ambassador, who has raised more than $400,000 for clean water projects worldwide. In 2020, Spotz organized Run4Water initiatives and become the first woman ever to do nonstop runs across the states of New Hampshire and Vermont, and the first person ever to do a nonstop run across the state of Maine—a feat which took over 30 hours and covered nearly 140 miles!
White received this honor in recognition of his superior performance as a ninja warrior—an up-and-coming sport. White qualified for the Season Five National Ninja League (NNL) World Finals and competed against over 300 athletes from several countries. White is currently competing in season six of the NNL, placing within the top five in 11 of 13 competitions. He currently sits in first place in both the Nationwide Adult Division and New England region. White is aiming to have a second appearance on the televised show American Ninja Warrior in 2021.
Bravo Zulu Ensign Kathleen Spotz and Lt. j.g. Christopher White for being awarded this honor, and to Lt. Margaret Morgan and Capt. Jeffrey Novak who were named runners-up! Keep up the excellent work! You can learn more about the winners in the 2020 Elite Male and Female Athletes of the Year ALCGPSC 038/21.
Local Coast Guardsman named recipient of the 2021 Aaron Redd Award: Congratulations to Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Wilderman, assigned to Training Center Cape May, for being selected for the 2021 Aaron Redd Award in recognition of his community outreach efforts in Southern New Jersey. Wilderman is an active participant in the Training Center Cape May’s Partnership in Education program and served as a science fair judge for Wildwood Crest Middle School. He has also helped nearby Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) instructors teach complex drill movements to high school students and served as a judge at the national level JROTC competitions. In addition to receiving the award, Wilderman will also receive a $2,500 scholarship, which will enable him to pursue his Bachelor’s degree at American Military University. You can learn more about the award on their website.
2020 Captain Quentin R. Walsh Excellence in Living Marine Resources Enforcement Award winner announced: Bravo Zulu to Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Gaub for being named the 2020 Captain Quentin R. Walsh Excellence in Living Marine Resources Enforcement Award winner. Gaub, a boatswains mate aboard Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark, a coastal patrol boat, conducted 55 boardings as the Boarding Officer where he identified 56 fishery violations. Gaub led all law enforcement activities aboard the Cutter Tiger Shark, resulting in the prosecution of nearly half of all the Eighth District’s fishery violations in 2020. Gaub consistently demonstrated impressive initiative in the planning and execution of interagency operations and capitalized on partnerships with neighboring units to enhance mission effectiveness. To learn more about all of Gaub’s accomplishments that distinguished him for this award, please see the 2020 Captain Quentin R. Walsh Excellence in Living Marine Resources Enforcement Award Winner ALCOAST 200/21.
2020 Coast Guard Reserve Policy Board Final Report now available: The 2020 Coast Guard Reserve Policy Board report is now available. After receiving a total of 16 submissions for consideration, the board reviewed and made recommendations on all policy issues. The report is now available here (CAC required). You can also read more in the 2020 Coast Guard Reserve Policy Board (CG RPB) Final Report ALCOAST 193/21.