ALCGPSC 109/17 - ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2017 JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS (JINSA) GRATEFUL NATION AWARD COAST GUARD RECIPIENT

20 SEP 2017

ALCGPSC 109/17
SUBJ:  ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2017 JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY AFFAIRS (JINSA) GRATEFUL NATION AWARD COAST GUARD
RECIPIENT
1.  I am pleased to announce that Maritime Enforcement Specialist Chief (MEC) Robert M.
Freeman assigned to Port Security Unit 307, Clearwater, Florida has been selected for
recognition at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs 15th Annual Grateful Nation
Awards Ceremony.  The awards ceremony will be held in Washington, DC on Wednesday,
1 November, 2017.
2.  The Grateful Nation Awards honor an outstanding representative from each of the
Military services who has distinguished him or herself by exceptional service while 
deployed in direct support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM,
INHERENT RESOLVE, or FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.
3.  MEC Freeman displayed exceptional service, leadership and professionalism while
deployed with Port Security Unit (PSU) 307, as part of the Maritime Security Detachment
for Joint Task Force, Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of
OPERATION FREEDOM’S SENTINEL from September 2016 through February 2017.  As
the Assistant Division Officer for the Shoreside Security Division, MEC Freeman
supervised the Coast Guard’s newly established anti-terrorism and force protection land-
side based, seaward facing security operations for JTF-GTMO and Naval Station
Guantanamo Bay.  MEC Freeman led a division of 36 enlisted personnel ranging in pay
grades from E-4 to E-6.  Evaluating each member’s knowledge and experience, MEC
Freeman delivered pre-deployment core training during a compressed three-month
schedule, personally developing over 1,500 hours of training to create four Shoreside
Security Fire Teams charged with the protection of JTF-GTMO.  His oversight and diligence
contributed to 4,300 continuous hours of operations, safe execution of Detainee Movement
Operations, fortifying crucial security elements of the JTF-GTMO detainee
hearings/arraignments, and identifying several security vulnerabilities.  While deployed, he
fostered professional growth and development which led to ten PSU 307 members
obtaining their Port Security Unit insignia.  During his limited off-duty time, he volunteered
more than 150 hours at military morale sports events; morning and evening colors at the
USCG Lighthouse museum; assisting the chaplain at the GTMO chapel; numerous beach
and trail clean-ups; and the National Night event.
4.  MEC Freeman’s commitment to the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect and
Devotion to Duty have been exemplified by his actions throughout his service at Port
Security Unit 307.
5.  LT Omar Astrero of Sector Honolulu, HI and LT Emily Brockway assigned to the Office
of External Afairs, Coast Guard Headquarters were also nominated for this prestigious
award.  Bravo Zulu to LT Astrero, LT Brockway, and MEC Freeman for their noteworthy
contributions to national security.   
6.  Please direct questions to ARL.Medals (at) uscg.mil.
7.  RDML M. T. Bell Jr., Commander, Personnel Service Center.  The Service Center for
our most important resource – Our People.
8.  Internet Released Authorized.