JOHN VANOSDOL

1. Mr. John VanOsdol served on the National Commodore’s staff as Chief-Special Projects from November 2002 to September 2004.

2. During this period Mr. VanOsdol was tasked with formulating and implementing an Auxiliary action plan in support of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Homeland Security mission. During the period from November 2002 until January 2003 he co-authored the “Auxiliary Maritime Homeland Security Strategic Business and Deployment Plan”. This plan was subsequently adopted by the Auxiliary Executive Committee.

3. Mr. VanOsdol was further tasked with creating and implementing a tactical plan in support of this Strategic Plan. In this role he served on a special Task Force which was formed to provide the tactical direction for the Auxiliary’s Maritime Homeland Security efforts. Such a tactical plan, named “Operation Patriot Readiness III – Execution and Deployment”, was formed in the spring of 2003. All aspects of the plan (OPR III) were to be completed and implemented by April 2004.

4. OPR III consists of seven operations. In the implementation of these operations, he spent countless hours creating an infrastructure within the Auxiliary that would see unprecedented cooperation between the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard. Working with the District Commodores, he successfully formed a corps of District Coordinators. This group was, and is, the premier interface between Coast Guard, the Auxiliary National Staff and the Districts.

5. As the OPR III operations came on line, it was Mr. VanOsdol's task to see their smooth and efficient execution. By the completion date of April, 2004, all operations were ongoing and the Deployment and Execution part of OPR III was well on its way.

6. During this same time period, Mr. VanOsdol served as a Principal Manager for America’s Boating Course. Working closely with the Auxiliary’s partner, the United States Power Squadrons, he played a key role in the development and implementation of this first electronically delivered safe boating course. Since its introduction in late 2002, ABC sales have steadily increased. The partnership is now self-funded with half of the original investment returned early in 2004 and by year end all of such investment will be returned to both partners. ABC will continue to provide substantial revenue to the partnership

7. In addition, and during the same time period, Mr. VanOsdol, working with a specially tasked Marketing Team, created the CGAuxA Business and Marketing Plan. This plan was adopted by the CGAuxA and implementation is ongoing.

MSM Award