The Commandant and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard just kicked off a series of in-person Service Readiness and Culture conversations with the workforce.
“Culture happens in the small spaces. Culture isn’t something you see,” said Admiral Linda Fagan during the inaugural event with Sector Miami. “It’s something you feel, like the wind. When you experience things not consistent with our Core Values, you know it. You can feel it. Our Core Values have stood the test of time. They are here to stay. These conversations aren’t about changing our values. They are about how we hold them and apply them.”
“Culture is a mission” said MCPOCG Heath Jones. “We don’t fail at our missions. When it comes to strengthening service culture, what is mission success? It is a workplace where you’d be proud for a member of your family to serve.”
During each upcoming unit visit, CCG and MCPOCG will host ‘Our Values, Our Culture,’ workshops with the workforce. Events include a 90-minute interactive discussion with Dr. Annie McKee and Command Master Chief Jerry Wolf, who are co-chairing the Core Values Project to refine our understanding of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. (Learn more about the Core Values initiative here.)
After the interactive discussion, the Commandant and MCPOCG will answer members’ questions about values, culture, and readiness. As MCPOCG says, “This is not your typical Coast Guard training session, it will look and feel different.”
The next Service Readiness and Culture conversations take place:
- Oct. 25 - Portsmouth, Virginia
- Oct. 28 - Cleveland, Ohio
- Oct. 29 - New Orleans, Louisiana
- Oct. 30 - Topeka, Kansas
- Oct. 31 - Seattle, Washington
- Nov. 1 - Alameda, California
Earlier this month, the Commandant invited a few dozen members to visit headquarters for an event preview. “I thought it was going to be a lecture,” said SK1 Tiffany E. Thompson. “I was surprised. This really resonated with me because it was more interactive, it was a discussion that made me feel more comfortable talking about these issues.”
“For me, it was inspiring to see how serious they are about change, and how serious they are about our input,” said LT Corinne Jacobson. “I haven’t had a lot of experience with Coast Guard leadership being so open to feedback. But they’re encouraging that, so everybody can grow and be a part of this. It’s an inspiring time to be in the Coast Guard.”
There is a lot going on in our Coast Guard right now. From D5 and D7’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, to D17 monitoring foreign combatants transiting near Alaskan waters. From D8’s work clearing grounded tugs out of the Mississippi River to D11 cleaning up an oil spill in Marina del Rey, the demand for our Coast Guard has never been greater.
As our service continues to do amazing things, we have equally important work to do within our units to create a work environment where all members feel like they belong.
“We must engage in these conversations today, and forever,” said Adm. Fagan . “Be intentional, be deliberate, and continue to bring these conversations forward. We reserve the right to be better as people and as an organization each day. We’re already better than we were. We will be better tomorrow. And we will be better the day after that.”
During the Service Readiness and Culture Conversation on Thursday in Miami, BM1 Lauren Boese was meritoriously promoted. When invited to share some remarks, BM1 perfectly summarized our mission: “Always stand beside one another.”
The Core Values Project is a piece of the larger efforts to improve OUR Coast Guard. The work is ours – all of ours – and we need to step into it. Are you ready for Service Readiness and Culture conversations? Let’s go!
–USCG–