ALCOAST 289/20 - JUL 2020 2020 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SECRETARY'S AWARDS CEREMONY REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS

R 301540 JUL 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N12451//
ALCOAST 289/20
COMDTNOTE 12451
SUBJ:  2020 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SECRETARY'S AWARDS CEREMONY
REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS
A. Invitational Travel Authorizations, COMDTINST 12570.3 (series)
1. Nominations are being accepted for the 2020 DHS Secretary's Awards Ceremony. The
Secretary will hold the 2020 Secretary's Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 3,
2020, in Washington, D.C. to honor individual and collective achievements across DHS
that occurred during the period of 1 June 2019 through 30 June 2020.
2. Nominations are solicited for the following categories:
   a. Exceptional Service Award (Gold Medal);
   b. Secretary’s Meritorious Service (Silver Medal);
   c. Secretary’s Award for Exemplary Service (Bronze Medal equivalent);
   d. Secretary’s Award for Leadership Excellence;
   e. Secretary’s Award for Valor;
   f. Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Management;
   g. Secretary’s Award for Volunteer Service; and
   h. Secretary’s Award for COVID-19 Pandemic Heroism.
3. For a description of DHS award categories visit:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-
CG-1/Civilian-Human-Resources-Diversity-and-Leadership-Directorate-CG-12/Civilian-HR
/Awards/DHS-Secretarys-Awards-Program/.
4. You are encouraged to recognize military members and civilian employees not
previously honored with Secretarial awards. These awards are not intended to honor
retirees or contractors. Nominations may not be submitted for individuals/teams
whose accomplishments are pending final action or involve a pending investigation.
An individual can only be nominated for one award (individual or team).
5. Nomination Procedures:
   a. Secretarial Awards, DHS Form 3100-1 (2020 version), must be submitted with
each nomination package. The form must be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point
font, and conform to space provided. The Secretarial Awards, DHS Form 3100-1, is
accessible at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-
Human-Resources-CG-1/Civilian-Human-Resources-Diversity-and-Leadership-Directorate-
CG-12/Civilian-HR/Awards/DHS-Secretarys-Awards-Program/.
   b. Ensure nominations have the full and correct name (including middle initial,
if any) or all individuals nominated, as the name submitted is the name that will
be placed on award devices and certificates.
   c. All nominations must include a short, factual, one-paragraph synopsis for the
nomination (block 6), and a justification that addresses the award criteria (block 7).
Use plain language that is concise and descriptive.
   d. Use the Additional Page for listing individuals included in a team nomination
and attach it to the nomination form. The Additional Page must include a list of
members by first name, middle initial, last name, title, unit, component/office for
each submitted team nomination. Team nominations should be limited to only those who
significantly contributed to the project or investigation. Teams are generally
limited to 10-15 members. The Additional Page is accessible at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Civilian-Human-Resources-Diversity-and-Leadership-Directorate-CG-12/
Civilian-HR/Awards/DHS-Secretarys-Awards-Program/.
   e. Nominations must include name, title, approving official’s signature, and date
in block (9). The last line in block (9) must be left blank for the Commandant’s
endorsement. Ensure the nomination has been cleared and endorsed through the
appropriate chain of command (Coast Guard Unit Commanders, Commanding Officers,
Deputy/Assistant Commandants, or Directors of Headquarters staff elements) prior to
submission. One level of Flag/SES endorsement must be obtained.
   f. An endorsed Coast Guard Award Recommendation Form CG-1650 must also be
submitted with each nomination. The last line in block (19) must be left blank for
Civilian Awards Review Board Chair endorsement. The Coast Guard Award
Recommendation, Form CG-1650 is accessible at:
https://cgportal2.uscg.mil/sites/externaldata/Forms/CG_1650.PDF.
   g. Nominations should not exceed four pages in length, including the 2 page
nomination form, the one page listing of the team members, and the Coast Guard Award
Recommendation, Form CG-1650.
   h. If a nominee is outside of the nominating office or outside of DHS, written
concurrence (an e-mail is generally sufficient) is required from the individual
nominee’s office/component or agency, which confirms agreement for that employee to
be a team member. 
   i. All nominations should be concise, descriptive, and fully outline achievements
related to the award for which the employee is nominated.
   j. Email endorsed nomination packages to DHSAwardsSubmissions@uscg.mil. The
Civilian Awards Review Board will function as an advisor to the Commandant, review
nominations for approval, and then forward to DHS for final consideration. The
Board’s representation includes both military and civilian members.
6. All nominations must be received by COMDT (CG-124), no later than 12 August 2020.
Extensions will not be granted. Incomplete submissions or nominations that exceed
four pages will not be accepted. Nomination packages must be submitted to:
DHSAwardsSubmissions@uscg.mil.
7. You are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of this opportunity to
nominate deserving military members and civilian employees for recognition in the
appropriate award categories above.
8. Nominating commands must be prepared to fund and arrange travel for award
recipients selected to attend the DHS Secretary’s Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
on 03 DEC 2020. Nominating commands are hereby authorized, at your discretion, to
fund and issue invitational and/or permissive travel orders IAW REF (A).
9. Address questions to Ms. Brooke M. Lawson (252) 489-9860,
Brooke.M.Lawson@uscg.mil, or Ms. Ruth M. Shields (202) 795-6254, Ruth.M.Shields@uscg.mil.
10. Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.