NTRAIN 2008 – Saturday General Assembly
Article by Manny Romero, Chief, Public Affairs Training Branch
Photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor SITREP

Video of ADM Allen's remarks

Coast Guard Commandant ADM Thad Allen

Looking forward while alluding to the past, Coast Guard Commandant ADM Thad Allen challenged Auxiliary leaders to "help us be successful in sectors" during the General Session of the National Training Conference (N-Train) Saturday in St. Louis.

ADM Allen was joined by several USCG commanders in addressing the membership, including former Commandant ADM James Loy.

Saying that Auxiliarists bring "an immense amount of talent, competency, willingness to serve and passion to the job," ADM Allen stressed that "we need our volunteers. You give us strength, you give us ties to the community… you bring us immeasurable value."

Today’s Coast Guard is involved in activity that no one imagined 10 years ago, ADM Allen noted. "In the end, all of us working together in the ports are what counts. We need our active component…our reserve component…our civilians."

"We even need our retirees that we’re hiring back" he quipped. "We need everybody. We need our volunteers."

"Your national bridge has taken several bold leadership steps to align the Auxiliary structure with where we’re going," the commandant continued. He asked everyone to take the ideas from N-Train back to their districts and expand the dialog.

He emphasized that the Auxiliary is a "relevant, important part of what we do. In some places you are the only face of the Coast Guard we have."

Known for his leadership in times of crises and for an ability to effect change in a fast-changing world, ADM Allen observed that today we have "a radically different type of operation at the port level. We must make sure to position the Coast Guard in the future as effectively as we have in the past, understanding that we have a very, very different environment right now."

Following the Commandant’s remarks, ADM Loy was bestowed the title of Honorary Commodore in recognition of decades of distinguished service to the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

ADM Loy urged the audience to be "ambassadors" in conveying the substance of the directional changes now taking place within the Coast Guard. He indicated he will join the Auxiliary and that he was honored to receive the distinction of Honorary Commodore.

Prior to noon recess; staff training comments was delivered by NACOS Warren McAdams, followed by a swearing in ceremony of newly-appointed National Directorate Commodore, Recreational Boating Safety (NADCO-RBS) Ed Sweeny and new Department Chief, Marketing and Public Affairs (DC-A) Robert Nelson.

Remarks by 34 -year Coast Guard veteran RADM Joel Whitehead and RADM James Watson were other highlights of the morning session.

RADM Watson gave an overview of America’s Waterway Watch (AWW) and small vessel security, followed by a look at the Coast Guard history program by the program’s director, Dr. William Thiesen.

Attendees then listened to a well-illustrated presentation of SAR and false Electronic Personal Indication Radio Beacons (EPIRB) alerts by CDR Erin McDonald and LCDR Kathy Niles. They pointed out the SARSAT system helped save 353 lives in the U.S. during 2007.

News about the much-anticipated untucked ODU uniform were announced by Mr. Carol Brewton, Uniform Program Manager at the Uniform Distribution Center (UDC) in Woodbine, NJ. Mr. Brewton also demonstrated new features of the longer, improved trench coat. He anticipates the new ODU will be available near the end of 2008.

Just prior to noon recess, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Auxiliary and Orion Corporation was formally signed by National Chief of Staff (NACO) Steven Budar and Orion’s Bob Defonte, vice president of sales and marketing. (See separate MOA article).

Chief Director of Auxiliary CAPT Barry Smith led a video tribute to the late Phillip L. Helmer of Washington State, an active Auxiliarist with nearly 25 years of service. Mr. Helmer was the coordinator of National events such as NTrain and NACON.

Several Auxiliarists were then recognized during a colorful awards ceremony. (See separate Awards article.)

One afternoon session put a spotlight on the new Auxiliary Sector Coordinator (ASC) structure. CAPT Steven Metruck of District 13 made the presentation, and went on to describe the D13 AOR and the assets available to Sector Seattle.

Brett Grooms, DC-I, grabbed audience attention with a web preview of the AUX-Plus Officer program. The new program will bring all ten Auxiliary departments and staff together in one easy-to-navigate site. The program will be a single source for information on Auxiliary leadership, individual district information and a National calendar. Users will also have the ability to send e-mails to groups of National officers.

Mr. Dante Laurino reported on the new NSAR competition that will take place in October in Cape May, NJ. He invited participation of teams from throughout the country, noting the deadline is May 1 to submit an intent to participate.

The day-long General Session ended with a recognition of departing Directors of Auxiliary, CWO Kenneth Frost, D11N; CWO2 Thomas Carroll, D14; and departing CHIDRAUX staffers LTJG Shannon Scaff and LTJG Michael O’Brien.

Attendees returned later that evening for the special retirement ceremony honoring CAPT Barry Smith, Chief Director of Auxiliary since April 2004. CAPT Smith begin his Coast Guard career as an enlisted man in 1979, receiving his commission two years later upon graduation from Officer Candidate School. Tributes were delivered by COMO Steve Budar and RADM Brian Salerno. (See separate CAPT Smith retirement coverage.)

Meetings throughout the week focused on department training for District Staff Officers from MS, MT, PS, PA, and PE. Other training was specific to Auxiliary Sector Coordinators (ASC) and Air Coordinators, along with an RCO and DCd Academy. (See separate training articles.)

In all, N-Train fulfilled the promise of the 2008 theme, "Discover, Learn and Lead." The conference was several days of intense instruction designed to enhance ability, knowledge and fellowship.