NACON 2008 Coast Guard Awards

Article & photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor, SITREP

Admiral Allen awards
NACO Budar the DSM

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE AUXILIARY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
TO
COMMODORE STEVEN M. BUDAR
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

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Commodore BUDAR is cited for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a position of great responsibility as National Commodore from November 2006 to August 2008. Exercising exceptional vision and exemplary leadership prowess, Commodore BUDAR guided the Auxiliary to remarkable success and dedicated support of Coast Guard missions despite daunting challenges. Faced with the net loss of 7,000 members following the three-year phase-in of background checks for all Auxiliarists, he focused Auxiliary leadership and program managers on recruiting and retention efforts, and ensured the Auxiliary was able to bridge the gaps as the Coast Guard continued to establish new units and take on its burgeoning maritime homeland security responsibilities. As a result of Commodore BUDAR’s superb vision and motivation, Auxiliary losses were stemmed and net membership increased by more than 2,500 new Auxiliarists. His clear, concise, and consistent guidance was instrumental to the comprehensive channeling of Auxiliary growth into the delivery of more than 685,000 hours of direct operational support and over 5,575,000 hours of overall Coast Guard mission support. With superlative business acumen and organizational skill, Commodore BUDAR launched and guided the Auxiliary’s most comprehensive re-alignment to improve and facilitate Auxiliary support to Coast Guard missions under the Sector construct. This entailed sweeping re-definition and distinction of several key leadership positions along the Auxiliary chains of elected office and program management, and it triggered appropriate consolidation of Auxiliary units and corresponding demarcation of new geographic boundaries. Commodore BUDAR’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

~HRW