ALCOAST 046/20 - FEB 2020 SEVENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE

R 191532 FEB 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05700//
ALCOAST 046/20
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  SEVENTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE
1. In the 79 years since the passage of the Coast Guard Reserve and
Auxiliary Act of February 19, 1941, the Reserve Component has remained
an essential force multiplier for our Service. While the Coast Guard has
experienced many changes in missions and platforms over the years, the
steadfast devotion to duty of our reservists has remained constant,
giving freely of their time and personal resources to maintain the
readiness necessary to respond to the Nation's call on a moment's notice.
2. Over the past year our Reserve workforce continued to distinguish
itself by responding to another busy hurricane season, and supporting
Department of Homeland Security activities along the southern border of
the United States, all while still maintaining a presence in Guantanamo
Bay with multiple port security unit deployments. All told, over 700
reservists were involuntarily activated during the past year with many
more performing voluntary active duty at units across the Coast Guard.
3. The selflessness of our people requires nothing less than our
Service's very best in organizing, equipping, and training the Reserve.
To this end, we stood-up the Assistant Commandant for Reserve (CG-R) under
the Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) in 2019. This move acknowledges
the inherently operational nature of our Reserve, and will allow us to put
additional focus on ensuring we have the right tools in place to support a
more ready Reserve.
4. We continue to work diligently to restore the Selected Reserve to its
authorized level of 7,000 by the end of FY2022. Our goal is simple, make it
easier to join the Reserve and to be a reservist. By focusing on supporting
a more geographically stable workforce we hope to better support career
diversity and longevity with assignments closer to where our workforce lives.
5. Our direction is clear. By partnering across the operational and mission
support communities we will restore our strength, define our requirements,
and build the modernized support system our Reserve deserves. 
6. Please join me and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve
George Williamson in extending a hand of gratitude and well-deserved
"Bravo Zulu" to our immensely talented and dedicated Coast Guard Reserve.
7. Semper Paratus.
8. Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.