NTRAIN 2008 – First awardees – Auxiliary Legion of Merit Medal

Photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor SITREP

The USCG Auxiliary Legion of Merit was enacted in 2006. The Medal is awarded for superior service to the Auxiliary over an extended period of time. This award can only be signed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Admiral Thad Allen signed these first to be issued awards.

COMMODORE GENE M. SEIBERT

Commodore SEIBERT is cited for outstanding meritorious service as the National Immediate Past Commodore from July 2006 to December 2007. Applying unparalleled corporate insight and organizational skill as the Auxiliary’s first representative on the prestigious Coast Guard Leadership Council, Commodore SEIBERT clearly illuminated Auxiliary readiness and capabilities in support of the Commandant’s transformation and modernization initiatives. An ambassador of organizational flexibility and mission support, he shepherded Auxiliary alignment with Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security goals, objectives, and strategic intent. As Chairperson of the Leadership Guidance Team, Commodore SEIBERT’s superb managerial and mentoring expertise were instrumental to the creation of the Auxiliary Leader Development Strategic Plan and Leadership Framework that established a comprehensive leadership continuum for the organization’s future elected and appointed officers. Exercising similar As chairperson of the Auxiliary Long Range Study Team (LRST), Commodore SEIBERT has used his expertise and intimate knowledge of Coast Guard policy and direction to guide discussion of an appropriate organizational structure that will enable the Auxiliary to support the Coast Guard’s modernization of it command and control structure, for today and the future. Profoundly dedicated to the professional development of others, he served as a lead instructor and curriculum developer for the Auxiliary Senior Officer Course, and delivered invaluable executive level training on change management, transition techniques, and protocol. His unwavering allegiance and tireless efforts anchored the Auxiliary’s resolve to support and enable the Coast Guard to fulfill its mantra, “All Hazards…All Threats…Always Ready.” Commodore SEIBERT’s ability, diligence, 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.

Commodore URGOLA is cited for outstanding meritorious service as Special Projects Officer to the National Commodore from January 2007 to December 2007. As a member of the Leadership Guidance Team (LGT), Commodore URGOLA applied superb technical knowledge of curriculum design and leadership competencies to meticulously review Auxiliary leadership curricula and institute performance criteria for each organizational level. Her tireless efforts were instrumental to creation of the Auxiliary Leader Development Strategic Plan and Leadership Framework that established a comprehensive leadership continuum for future Auxiliary elected and appointed officers. Displaying consummate concern for organizational development, Commodore URGOLA served as a member of the Commandant’s Leadership Advisory Council. Applying unparalleled managerial insight and experience, she contributed extensive research to refine Coast Guard leadership programs. She drafted the Coast Guard Leadership Development Policy Statement, enhanced the Unit Leadership Development Program, and significantly expanded the Leadership and Management School by redesigning portions for the Coast Guard’s civilian workforce. As lead instructor and curriculum designer for the Auxiliary Senior Officer Course, she appropriately focused training on detailed strategic planning and alignment with Coast Guard performance goals. In addition to the regional Commodores taught in this course, Commodore URGOLA also taught six Coast Guard Leadership and Management School courses and two Auxiliary Leadership and Management School courses. Her unflagging commitment directly resulted in high-quality professional development of more than 200 of the Coast Guard’s active duty, Reserve, civilian, and Auxiliary leaders. Commodore URGOLA’s ability, diligence, 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.

Mr. PLATT is cited for outstanding meritorious service as Auxiliary Database (AUXDATA) Manager for the Chief Director of Auxiliary from September 2003 to December 2007. Demonstrating exceptional leadership and superior technical skill, Mr. PLATT provided invaluable advice and action that markedly improved AUXDATA support of tens of thousands of Coast Guard Auxiliarists. His incomparable team spirit was instrumental to the effective long-term coordination of representatives from the Coast Guard’s C4I and Operations Directorates, the Operations System Center, the Auxiliary’s Information Services Department, and regional Auxiliary information services program managers who comprised the AUXDATA Work Group. Despite significant resource constraints and sweeping changes in information needs, he guided the Work Group to completion of more than 180 major system modifications. Mr. PLATT’s unwavering commitment was crucial to overcoming the stiffest challenge, the multi-year implementation of background checks for all Auxiliarists. Exercising exceptional determination, he facilitated countless new data entries, scores of beneficial reports, and the timely and proper disenrollment of over 7,000 members who chose not to undergo the checks. Applying unparalleled expertise in Coast Guard and Auxiliary policies, Mr. PLATT shepherded the development of versatile tools to manage all elements of Auxiliary programs including an innovative elected officer eligibility report, an annual member letter to advise every Auxiliarist of yearly activity levels, and several new reports to recognize Auxiliarists who qualified in marine safety, boating safety, and public affairs programs. A tireless AUXDATA Help Desk practitioner, he routinely, courteously, and comprehensively fielded dozens of individual AUXDATA queries every week. Mr. PLATT’s ability, diligence, 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.