ALCOAST 277/18 - AUG 2018 2018 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

R 021542 AUG 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 277/18
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2018 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
1. I am delighted to announce that Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Lee B. Stenson from
Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM), Norfolk, VA was selected as the Coast Guard recipient
of the 2018 Blacks In Government (BIG) Meritorious Service Award. This award honors those
who have significantly supported and contributed to the CG's missions and whose attributes
best epitomize the qualities and Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.
2. LCDR Stenson is cited for superior performance of duty while serving as a member of the
Coast Guard FORCECOM Exercise Support Team. Demonstrating exceptional leadership as the
National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) Tidewater Chapter Vice-President, LCDR Stenson
orchestrated highly commended minority outreach initiatives at Hampton University and
Norfolk State University, including a mentoring program for more than 670 Reserve Officer
Training Corps students. Additionally, he meticulously oversaw NNOA volunteer programs
focused on the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and minorities in the
military to include indoctrinating students on the Coast Guard’s College Student
Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), which provides minorities with a path to service as
a Coast Guard officer. Exhibiting the highest examples of servant leadership, LCDR Stenson
also served as a Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge counselor, during which
time he encouraged scouts to live and demonstrate the organization's Core Values.
LCDR Stenson is a champion for inclusion, equality and fairness in the Coast Guard and the
communities in which we live and serve.
3. I commend LCDR Stenson for his outstanding leadership, achievements and exemplary service.
He will be officially recognized during the BIG National President's Reception on Tuesday,
August 14, 2018 at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, LA.
4. The Civil Rights awards program helps maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission
effectiveness through recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions to civil
rights, equal opportunity, minority communities, and the Partnership in Education (PIE)
program. Learn about the USCG civil rights vision, mission, awards program and CG PIE at:
https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/.
5. The POC from COMDT (CG-00H) is Mr. Juan Torres, Juan.L.Torres@uscg.mil or 202-372-4594.
6. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
7. Internet release authorized.