ALCOAST 398/19 - DEC 2019 SOLICITATION FOR THE 2019 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

united states coast guard

R 231227 DEC 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01754//
ALCOAST 398/19
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ:  SOLICITATION FOR THE 2019 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A. Coast Guard Ombudsman Program, COMDTINST 1750.4 (series)
1. COMDT (CG-1112) is soliciting nominations for the 2019 Wanda Allen-Yearout
Ombudsman of the Year Award.
2. This award recognizes the active duty or reserve unit ombudsman who has demonstrated
the greatest contribution to the Coast Guard and their families. To be eligible, an
ombudsman must:
    a. Have served as an ombudsman for at least six months at the nominating command
by 31 December 2019;
    b. Be registered and assigned in the Coast Guard ombudsman registry;
    c. Have successfully completed Coast Guard Ombudsman Training (CGOT) or approved
alternative; and
    d. Be in good standing and in compliance with reports in accordance with REF (A).
3. Nominations should be in standard memorandum format using 12-point Times New Roman
font with one-inch margins, not to exceed two pages. The memorandum will specify how
the nominee has demonstrated the following:
    a. Enhancing communication between the command and families;
    b. Serving as a principal source of preparation, assistance and support to Coast
Guard families during times of local or national emergency, mobilization, deployment,
or evacuation and individual and command crisis;
    c. Assisting in identifying unit needs for support services and providing
appropriate referral services to address family concerns and issues;
    d. Being a positive role model and promoting a healthy sense of community for
command, families, and ombudsmen by performing noteworthy special projects and
accomplishments that enhance the ombudsman’s overall effectiveness and efficiency; and
    e. Demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
4. All units within the geographic boundaries of a District who desire to nominate
their ombudsman must submit nominations to their Regional Ombudsman Coordinator (ROC)
by 17 January 2020. Information, nomination criterion, and required documents for
District level are outlined at: www.dcms.uscg.mil/ombudsman/OOY. ROCs are responsible for:
    a. Reviewing nomination packages for alignment with policy and tracking;
    b. Screening nominations for eligibility and Ombudsman Program compliance; and
    c. Forwarding all packages to the appropriate District Command Master Chief
by 03 February 2020 for a panel selection of each District Ombudsman of the Year.
5. Each District nomination package must be received at COMDT (CG-1112) by COB
28 February 2020 via the respective ROC and must include:
    a. The District Commander’s endorsement signature that all eligibility requirements
and selection criteria have been met;
    b. The nomination, which addresses the selection criteria in Paragraph 3;
    c. Biographical information, to include information about the spouse and family; and
    d. A draft citation.
6. A Coast Guard Headquarters selection panel will meet to review the District
and select the 2019 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year.
7. The Ombudsman of the Year and their spouse will be invited to Coast Guard Headquarters
and will be presented with the award.
8. Unit Commanding Officers are strongly encouraged to submit award nominations to
recognize the selfless service of their unit ombudsman. It is also recommended that
commands take this time to make sure information is updated in the ombudsman registry.
This can be accomplished at: www.cgombudsmanregistry.org.
9. The POC for Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year award is Ms. Christine Degraw,
COMDT (CG-1112) at 202-475-5142 or e-mail: Christine.M.Degraw@uscg.mil.
10. The POCs for the district nominations are Ms. Lori Carrington, Atlantic Area
Regional Ombudsman Coordinator, Lori.A.Carrington@uscg.mil, 757-401-8894 and
Mr. Ryan Fahlenkamp, Pacific Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinator,
Ryan.J.Fahlenkamp2@uscg.mil, 510-437-3782.
11. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.