ALCOAST 031/19 - FEB 2019 2018 PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARDS

united states coast guard

R 061501 FEB 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05700//
ALCOAST 031/19
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  2018 PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARDS
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13 (series)
B. Recognition Programs Manual, COMDTINST M1650.26 (series)
1. This ALCOAST solicits submissions for the 2018 Chief Journalist (JOC) Alex Haley
and CDR Jim Simpson Public Affairs Awards. These awards are designed to encourage and
formally recognize Coast Guard-wide participation in conducting our important public
affairs mission. Per REF (A), the Coast Guard’s success depends in great measure upon
the American public understanding and supporting our missions. Consequently, our service
needs every member to continue to tell the Coast Guard story.
2. Per REF (B), the JOC Alex Haley Award, named for the renowned author and Coast Guard
journalist, recognizes achievements of Coast Guard communicators whose published works
have helped raise service visibility. All Coast Guard published works submitted to the
Defense Visual Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) in calendar year 2018 are eligible.
However, for published works to be considered, individuals must access the awards function
of DVIDS where products can be entered in individual categories. Information on establishing
a DVIDS account and entering products is available at: www.dma.mil/Services/Defense-Media-Awards.
Public affairs specialists, officers and civilian employees filling full time public affairs
positions may compete in 17 categories. All other active duty, reserve and civilian employees,
may compete in 13 categories. Participants will have until 15 March 2019 to make submissions.
Any individual who submitted a product to DVIDS under another individual’s or unit’s account as
a courtesy photo or story should contact the below POC for additional guidance.
3. Per REF (B), the CDR Jim Simpson Award is named in honor of the first press assistant to the
Commandant, and recognizes excellence in an all-encompassing unit public affairs program. All
Coast Guard units are eligible and encouraged to participate. Units with assigned public affairs
specialists will be evaluated separately. Those units with a co-located public affairs detachment
will be considered as units without assigned public affairs specialists as long as unit personnel
are primarily responsible for the public affairs achievements cited in the award submission.
The award deadline for the CDR Jim Simpson Award is being extended to 1 May 2019.
4. Awards program guidelines, including eligibility, specifications, submission criteria,
categories, and judging, can be viewed at: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg092/CG-0922/
CG-09225/SitePages/CG-09225%20Awards.aspx.
5. Questions should be directed to COMDT (CG-09225) POC CWO2 Kurt Fredrickson at (202) 372-4638.
6. RDML Melissa Bert, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.