ALCOAST 304/17 - OCT 2017 SELECTION OF THE SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE OF THE YEAR

R 100850 OCT 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//NO1650//
ALCOAST 304/17
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: SELECTION OF THE SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE OF THE YEAR
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 171133 JUL 17/ALCOAST 220/17
1. IAW REF A, a selection board convened on 26 September 2017 to review
nominations for the 2017 Special Command Aide (SCA) of the Year. I am pleased
to announce that CS1 Mason Champlin, SCA to RDML Nunan, Commander Ninth
District, U.S. Coast Guard, is this year’s winner.
2. CS1 Champlin distinguished himself through noteworthy leadership, superior
job performance, self improvement, community involvement and exemplary
commitment to our Core Values.
3. CS1 Champlin will participate in a three day competition against other
enlisted aides from each of the services.  The winner of this competition
will be recognized as the Inter-Service Enlisted Aide of the Year at the
annual USO "Salute to Military Chefs" Dinner in Washington D.C. on 14
November 2017. The annual USO Salute to Military Chefs is designed to
showcase the culinary talents of today’s military chefs. A truly unique event,
this dinner salutes the achievements of the participants and invariably
impresses all attendees.
4. Also warranting special recognition are the following SCAs (listed below
in alphabetical order) for their outstanding contributions to the Coast
Guard, SCA program, and Culinary Specialist Rating:
  A. CSC Melvin Acevedo - RADM Rendon - CG Academy
  B. CS1 Justin Anzaldua - RADM Poulin - CGD 1
  C. CS1 Jirasuda Doty - RADM Sokalzuk - CGD 11
  D. CS1 Jason Rohrs - General Dunford - CJCS 
5. A special thanks is also extended to the SCA of the Year selections panel,
which consisted of the following members:
  A. CWO2 William Lorenzo - CS Assignment Officer,
  B. CWO2 Andrew Proulx (C3CEN) - Prior SCA for 7 Years and prior
award recipient,
  C. CWO2 Stephen Bishop (IMAT NORFOLK) - Prior SCA for 7 years and prior award
recipient,
  D. CSCM Justin Reed (DCMS-81) - FS Rating Force Master Chief and prior SCA,
  E. D-MCPOCG Cale-Jones (CMC) - CG-00B,
  F. CSCM Jason Vanderhaden (DCMS) - DCMS CMC.
6. I am also pleased to announce that CS1 Michael Edwards was selected to be
one of the chefs that will combine their creative talents to prepare a six-
course meal for the annual USO “Salute to Military Chefs” alongside the
Ritz-Carlton’s Executive Chef. He was selected as the Coast Guard representative
to participate with one member from the culinary teams of the President,
Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, each member of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff and the Coast Guard Commandant.
7. Congratulations to all of the nominees for their exceptional professionalism
as SCAs and Culinary Specialists. Each is commended for their extraordinary
performance and expertise, and all continue to set the bar high for the next
generation.
8. POC: for additional information, contact the SCA program manager, CSCS
Timothy Sullivan, at (202)372-4412.
9. ADM Charles Michel, Vice Commandant, sends.
10. Internet Release Authorized.