General assembly

At precisely 0730, National Commodore (NACO) Steve Budar called the assembly to order, which consisted of all District Commodores, all Vice Commodores, select members of the Nation staff, as well as District Staff officers for Communication Services, Marien safety, Member Training, Operations, Personnel Services, Public Education, and Vessel Examinations. 

A total of six USCG flag officers, as well as senior representatives from the Coast Guard Academy and the USCG Office of Boating Safety were on hand to address the membership.

National Commodore Opening Remarks

NACO Budar began by thanking the national staff for their dedication and the time spent at N-Train thus far.  Budar declared that the theme of this year’s N-Train would be “achieving mission excellence through recruiting, retention, and responsibility.”

In light of completing the Personnel Security Investigations at the end of 2006, Budar said, “we need to continually look for good people.” 

Moreover, Budar emphasized the importance of retention, and said it may in fact, be more important than recruiting.  “We need to also concentrate on retention,” urged Budar, who went on to say that our mission capabilities were dependent one having the right people in the right place at the right time.  “We actually do a good job on recruiting,” said Budar.  “If you look at our reports and numbers, we recruit thousands of new members each year.  It is those people that leave us that has caused concern, and have taken that area to the forefront for us.”

“All of us joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a reason,” said Budar. “Either we want to give back to the community, which is a reason I hear a lot.  But most of us also wanted to get something personally from it, some additional education or training, some satisfaction that we receive in doing the work that we do.  Our responsibility as the leaders of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to see that that opportunity exists for our members and that we do what we can to nature our members in their quest for that satisfaction. “

“The third leg of the triangle is responsibility,” Budar continued.  “That is what lays on my shoulders and the shoulders every leader within the organization.  We need to be a member, a friend, a mentor to those that we work with.  That is our responsibility - to each other and to us.”

“Our responsibility is that we remind each other, everyday, that we are here for a reason, that whatever we can contribute to the effort is important.  We need to thank each one of us for the work that we do, whether it is an hour a year, or hours a day.”

“Everyday I can remember three things.    These three things stay in front of me and I hope that they will stay in front of you as we progress through this important year,” said Budar. 

NACO Budar concluded his opening remarks by urging the District Staff officers present to convey the training received here to their shipmates at the local level.

Vice Admiral Robert Papp, Chief of Staff, U.S. Coast Guard

“Good morning shipmates,” said VADM Papp. Papp went on to explain how he loved to watch commercials, and said he usually watches the Super Bowl just to watch the commercials for video metaphors he can use.  He went on to depict a typical commercial made by MasterCard, which he said would  read something like this”  Airline tickets from Washington DC to St. Louis -  $226; rental car - $77; A night at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis - $75; time spent with your Auxiliary shipmates – priceless!”

“The number of people here from headquarters is an indication of how important the Auxiliary is to us,” said Papp.  “Apologies to those people who like the term Team Coast Guard, but I prefer the name Coast Guard famility. In fact, ‘shipmates’ are my short hand for the term Coast Guard family, and I’ve put the word ‘shipmates’ on my challenge coin.  It is reminder - to me personally - that people are the most important part of this family.  We need to pay attention to people, both in providing resources to them, but also in listening to them.”

VADM Papp also went on to praise the extended members of the Coast Guard family – the spouses.  He praised his own wife Linda for her support of his career and service to the Coast Guard.  He also praised those couples who wear the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform together. 

VADM Papp said he had a message from the Commandant regarding the reorganization going on within the Coast Guard.  “Don’t’ worry,” said Papp.” This will probably be the largest reorganization of the Coast Guard since World War II by the time we’re finished.  It won’t be done overnight, and will outlast the tenure of ADM Allen, and will take 3-4 tears t work on.”

“As we work our way through the administration and Congress, and get them to buy into the changes we want to make, it will take time, but we’ll keep everyone informed along the way,” said Papp.  “One of ADM Allen’s tenants is transparency – transparency in everything we do.  We want the public, the Congress, the administration to have a complete understanding of everything that we do.”

VADM Papp went on to discuss the tragic deaths that recently occurred on the CG Cutter Healy.  “We conducted a through investigation of that accident, but we published everything we had, and made it completely public, because we wanted the Coast Guard to be known for honest, transparency and integrity. 

“As bad as the news might look,” said Papp,” we’re going to accept responsibility for it, we’re going to make changes, work through it, and make the Coast Guard better because of it.  We want to be honest and forthright with the people we serve, not only the public, but our shipmates within the Coast Guard, so that they know that we’re doing our job in top leadership.”

VADM Papp  went on to urge everyone present to revisit the first message put out by ADM Allen, shortly after his change of command.  “It is a long speech talking about what he wants to do in the Coast Guard, but I can sum it up in two words – mission execution. H wants the entire organization – from bottom to top, and top to bottom – to be focused on the things they need to do to perform our Coast Guard missions.” 

“Buy in from the bottom of the organization in the mission execution – that is what the Commandant wants,” said Papp.  “He wants everybody to know that no matter what they do in the Coast Guard, they everyone plays a part in mission execution.”

Why are we making changes in light of our successes like Katrina?  “Because we can,” said VADM Papp. “We’re in a position right now where we’re not forced to make changes as a result of budget cuts.   Since 9/11 we’ve been growing; we’ve gained people and resources but that will soon come to a halt.” 

“The good news is that we haven’t had a terrorist attack since 9/11.  The bad news is that people have become complacent.  Attentions are being focused elsewhere,” said Papp.

Papp went on to state that the result of this reorganization will have little impact on the Auxiliary, but at some point, district boundaries may be adjusted.  

Rear Admiral Cynthia Coogan, Director of Reserve and Training

Next, the membership was addressed by RDML Cynthia Coogan, Director of reserve and Training.  Coogan remarked that being here was like “attending a family reunion – I have worked with the Auxiliary my entire career; it was nice to be here with you.”

Coogan said, “As the Director of Reserve and Training, I do an awful lot of travel.  Everywhere I go I see a lot of Auxiliarists.”  She recently was at TRACEN Petaluma and observed Auxiliarists taking the TCT facilitator course.  “That is such an important course for us,” said Coogan, who recanted that this was a win-win situation.  “Our people did their job better because of what you taught them – Thank you!”  

RDML Coogan also recanted how, while touring Cape May last month,  she also recanted seeing Auxiliarist Bruce Long teaching young recruits about Finance.  She was happy to see that these young recruits were being exposed to the Auxiliary at such an early stage in their Coast Guard career. 

“The Commodore earlier spoke about retention.  It is nice to recruit, but we absolutely must retain our workforce.  An aside, in the USCG reserve, we’re not meeting our recruiting goals, but we’re doing a great job of retaining the workforce.  We probably have some lessons we can share with the Auxiliary,” said Coogan. 

“Education and proper training is key to retention,” said RDML Coogan.  “We in the Coast Guard have a responsibility of working with you have a responsibility to get the right training to your folks.  We’re working with Gail Fisher and the National Training department to do just that.” 

Coogan mentioned that they are looking towards blended learning and using technology, such as e-learning, to help with course delivery. Acknowledging that e-learning is problematic, and has some connectivity issues, Coogan said “The reality is we live in a technological age, and some of our courses are going to be given online.” 

“One of the things I am responsible for are our leadership programs,” said Coogan.  “The Auxiliary is very involved in those programs.  Staring in March, we will be starting the 360 degree performance review for the Auxiliary.” 

“We have the leadership advisory council, who advise the Commandant on leadership issues,” said Coogan.    Coogan mentioned that COMO Seibert is the first Auxiliarist to serve in such a capacity. 

Coogan concluded her remarks by saying “I’ve read in your publications,  and heard ADM Allen say this many times:  the good news is - the Coast Guard has never been more relevant, the bad news is -   the Coast Guard has never been more relevant.  I believe firmly that together, the Auxiliary, the Coast Guard –us – we can do anything.  We’ll be ready for all hazards - all threats – we will be ‘always ready.’  Thanks for your time.” 

Rear Admiral Brain Salerno, Assistant Commandant for Operations

RDML Salerno has been a friend to the Auxiliary for quite some time.  He opened his remarks by praising the Auxiliary for all that we do to support the Coast Guard’s missions. 

Salerno commented on the conclusion of the three year personnel security investigation (PSI) process” It went better than expected,” he said.  He went on to commend the Auxiliary for it energy, noting that most programs did not appear to suffer any significant decrease in capacity. Specifically Salerno commended the Auxiliary for performing more than 30 percent of the total commercial fishing vessel examinations last year, as well as helping with surge operations in the Regional Exam Centers. 

RDML Salerno conveyed areas of concerns from the Commandant.  .”We are still concerned with threats form small boat attacks, such as what happened with the USS Cole.” 

Salerno also mentioned the idea of a licensing system for boat operators, as well as efforts to increase boating safety education.  “Increasing boating safety education will result in increased safety as well as increased security,” he said. 

In conclusion,   Salerno said “The Auxiliary supports the entire USCG, and I thank you for it.” 

Other guest speakers included Dr. Judith Youngman, Ph.D, from Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C.  Dr. Youngman addressed the assembly on the nature, resistance to and acceptance of change.

Auxiliarist Steve Pegram, Vice President of Global Security Systems discussed software programs, including “Disaster Communications and Alert System.”

Captain Smith and VADM Papp conducted the installation ceremony of new National Bridge staff members.

During the morning a number of memorandums of understanding were signed and awards were presented.  Both of these are covered in separate articles in SITREP.

Commander Kevin Crawley, Director of Auxiliary D7, is retiring in a few months.  NACO Budar thanked him for his service to the Auxiliary. The Commander offered some remarks to the gathering.