ALCOAST 127/18 - APR 2018 2018 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

R 061154 APR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01650//
ALCOAST 127/18
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  2018 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
1. This ALCOAST solicits for the 2018 BIG Meritorious Service Award. The award honors
service members and civilian employees who supported the Coast Guard mission, overseas
contingency operations or whose attributes best epitomized the CG core values of honor,
respect, and devotion to duty, through the performance period April 2017 to April 2018.
2. The BIG Meritorious Service Award is open to CG service members (active duty or
reserve) and civilian employees.
3. All nominees will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
   a. Demonstrated support for the full integration and promotion of African Americans
within the Armed Forces or Federal civilian workforce.
   b. Significantly increased the opportunity for participation of Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Federal programs.
   c. Distinguished himself or herself by promoting the tenets of civil/human rights,
equal opportunity, human relations and/or public service.
   d. Displayed exceptional character that distinguishes the individual as an
outstanding leader, role model or mentor by promoting the development or advancement
of all personnel, including women and minorities.
   e. Contributed to equal opportunity for advancement based on merit and fitness for
all members of the Armed Services and civilians, including women and minorities.
   f. Believed in and practiced the tenets of a democratic society, including the
Declaration of Independence - the belief that all people are created equal, and that
freedom is a right that must be protected at all times.
   g. Assisted in overcoming discrimination and eliminating barriers that hinder equal
opportunity for all members of the Armed Services and civilian employees, including
women and minorities.
   h. Supported the full integration and promotion of all personnel, to include
minorities and women, within the Armed Services and civilian workforce.
   i. Created opportunities that support and contribute to the mentorship, development,
advancement or retention of all personnel, including women and minorities, in
government service consistent with merit principles.
   j. Created job or training opportunities that will support and contribute to the
advancement of all members, including women and minorities, in the Armed Services or
civilian workforce.
4. Nominations shall include the following:
   a. Narrative describing the accomplishments warranting recognition (not to exceed
two pages).
   b. Citation, not to exceed 12 lines, highlighting nominee's accomplishments.
   c. One-page biography of the nominee (a resume will not suffice).
   d. A digital (.jpg format) head and shoulder color photograph of the nominee.
   e. Command cover memo, with signature, forwarding the package.
   f. Award Nomination Transmittal Form. For a copy of this form, please contact the
POC below.
5. Items 4.a through 4.c must be in MS Word with 12-point font, single-spaced with
one-inch margins. These documents may not be scanned or in PDF format. Do not include
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in nominations packages.
6. Nomination packages must be forwarded, as email attachments only, to the POC,
Mr. Juan Torres, juan.l.torres@uscg.mil, no later than 18 MAY 2018. For additional
information, call (202) 372-4594.
7. COMDT (CG-00H) will convene a panel to select the top three nominees. Nominations
will be forwarded to the BIG organization for consideration and selection of the award
winner(s). Commands of award recipient(s) will be notified by telephone. An ALCOAST
will announce the winner(s). All award winners will be recognized during the Blacks In
Government National Training Institute 13-16 August 2018 in New Orleans, LA.
8. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.