Happy 50th Anniversary to Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma! Since July 1, 1971, the Coast Guard’s premier West Coast training facility has been the center for excellence in workforce development, delivering over 41 apprentice and advanced courses to ensure readiness, relevance, and responsiveness. Staffed by more than 650 active duty, civilian, and contract employees, the location was originally established in 1942 as an Army Communications Station where secret codes were deciphered during World War II. On July 1, 1971 the Coast Guard took ownership of the property and quickly established it as the standard for excellence in training, leadership, and professionalism. Training Center Petaluma is the homeport for seven Coast Guard ratings: culinary specialist, electronics technician, information technician, health services technician, operations specialist, storekeeper, and yeoman. These ratings account for more than 25% of the Coast Guard enlisted workforce. The dedicated staff graduates nearly 1,300 apprentice school students annually, and hosts Coastguardsmen and women from operational units to attend 34 different advanced training courses. The Training Center also remains the home of the renowned Chief Petty Officer Academy, graduating more than 900 senior enlisted leaders every year. Learn more about Training Center Petaluma. See 50TH Anniversary of Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma ALCOAST 238/21.
Solicitation: Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation Program of the Year Awards. This award is designed to improve the readiness, retention, and resiliency of the Coast Guard family. The Community Services Command (CSC) Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation Program has developed this annual award. There are six categories: Large, Medium, and Small Unit Ashore and Large, Medium, and Small Unit Afloat. To nominate your unit for the awards, commands are required to send a one-page memorandum and a completed MWR Program of the Year slide deck. Nominations are for accomplishments of the previous non-appropriated fund (NAF) year, Feb. 1, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. Nominations must arrive at the CSC by Aug. 27, 2021. Award winners will receive a certificate of recognition and a NAF cash award to support their morale program. The first place winners in each category will receive $1,000; the runner-up in each category will receive $750; and third place will receive $500 for their unit’s morale funds. Learn more in the Coast Guard MWR Program of the Year Awards Solicitation ALCGPSC 056/21. You can also email Michael Criswell.
2021 American Legion Spirit of Service Award recipient announced. Bravo Zulu to Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica Rooks, a yeoman assigned to Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama, for being named as the Coast Guard recipient of the 2021 American Legion “Spirit of Service” Award. This award is presented to an enlisted member from each branch of the Armed Forces who performs high levels of community service. Presentation of the award will occur during the Annual National Convention in Phoenix, Aug. 27 – Sept. 1, 2021. Rooks dedicated over 500 hours leading an 11-member ministry team at Christian Muscle Wellness Academy. She spent 160 additional hours mentoring her congregation conducting prayer and motivational calls. Recognizing the unusual stress COVID-19 pandemic put on the community, Rooks organized and taught an eight-week course called “Replenished for a Purpose,” while overcoming social distancing guidelines and the inability to meet in person. Rooks set up a collection for Penelope’s House, an organization that provides safety, protection, and support to the victims of domestic violence and their children through shelter, advocacy, and education. Her dedication, compassion, and steadfast desire to improve the lives of those around her epitomize the very standards of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. Questions regarding the American Legion Spirit of Service Award may be emailed to Military Medals and Awards arl.awdsboard@uscg.mil. See the Announcement of the 2021 American Legion Spirit of Service Award Recipient ALCGPSC 051/21 for more details.
Congratulations to the winners of the FY20 Coast Guard Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental Readiness (SEER) Award. The recipients made a positive impact, either through promoting energy savings or through furthering environmental protection. Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center Waterways Operations Product Line (WOPL) was selected as the winner of the Small Unit Category, Energy Track. Base Elizabeth City's Facilities Engineering Department (FED) won in the Team Category, Energy Track. WOPL used solar power to convert light into 100% renewable energy. FED took measures that resulted in $560,000 worth of annual energy savings. The winners of the Team Category, Environmental Track were Chelsea Hudock and Craig Edmunds, environmental protection specialists, Civil Engineering Unit Providence. They provided training, standard operating procedures, and compliance guidance. David Britain, Environmental Protection Specialist, Aviation Training Center won the award for Individual Category, Environmental Track. Learn more of the details as to why the winners were selected by reading the Announcement of FY20 Coast Guard Sustainability, Energy, and Environmental Readiness (SEER) Award Winners ALCOAST 244/21.