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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Oct. 28, 2024

Let’s talk about Honor

By AJ Pulkkinen, MyCG writer

Last week we introduced the Coast Guard’s ongoing project to better understand how we collectively define our Core Values and how we live them day in and day out. If you missed it, check out the last week’s article here. Now, we’ll focus on each of the three Core Values individually, starting with: Honor. 

During the Strengthening Service Culture Core Values Team’s interviews, Coast Guard members described many different elements or interpretations of Honor. Finding commonalities, the Core Values Team came up with a list of descriptive values under the broader Honor umbrella and grouped them into three buckets: 

Honor Core Values Graphic

Now it’s your turn!  

So, what do you think? Is this right? Head on over to the Core Values site to tell us how you define Honor. Flex your writing skills by submitting a short story on a real-life example of Honor in action. Share an example of a mentor or leader who taught you about Honor. There are several new activities for you to pick from – or, do them all!  

And don’t forget about the three Core Values Contests in which you can compete to win eternal glory with the best image, video, or story!  

We will refine our understanding of our Core Value as we go. Using your input, we will finalize the updated definitions this winter. The final Core Values Model will be included in the Enlisted Performance Qualifications, as well as the Enlisted and Officer Evaluation Systems. The updated model will also be incorporated into all Coast Guard leadership courses.   

This is our generational opportunity to create the culture that we want and that we deserve – at every unit and for every person.  

Next week we’ll turn our focus to the Core Value of Respect. 

-USCG- 

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