ALCOAST 025/21 - JAN 2021 ESTABLISHMENT AND FIRST PRESENTATION OF THE DHS OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD

R 252150Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 025/21
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  ESTABLISHMENT AND FIRST PRESENTATION OF THE DHS OUTSTANDING
UNIT AWARD
1. In one of his final actions while in office, the former Acting
Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf, established the
Department of Homeland Security Outstanding Unit Award and presented
the new award to the United States Coast Guard on 11 January 2021.
2. The new DHS Outstanding Unit Award is a Department-level award,
presented by the Secretary of Homeland Security, similar to those
presented by the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation. The
award is intended to recognize those units whose meritorious actions
and operational impact distinguish them above the level of the
respective service unit commendation, in our case the Coast Guard
Unit Commendation.
3. Acting Secretary Wolf presented the award to the Coast Guard in
recognition of the Service’s courage, resourcefulness, and
professionalism demonstrated from August 2017 to November 2020.
The award recognizes the Coast Guard for:
   a. Saving or assisting over 13,000 lives across four extremely
active hurricane seasons, beginning with the devastating 2017 season
and major hurricanes HARVEY, IRMA, and MARIA, and ending with the
record-setting 2020 season, the most active Atlantic Basin hurricane
season in recorded history.
   b. Supporting the Department’s response following the Declaration
of a National Emergency along the Southwest Border. Additionally,
securing our Nation’s borders through record levels of at-sea drug
interdictions, seizing 1.3 million pounds of cocaine and detaining
1,856 suspected smugglers for criminal prosecution.
   c. Swiftly responding to the early stages of the COVID-19
pandemic, ensuring the safe disembarkation of over 250,000 cruise
ship passengers and 90,000 crewmembers from 125 vessels.
   d. Demonstrating exceptional resiliency while continuing to
“stand the watch” through the 35-day partial government lapse in
FY-2019 appropriations leaving Coast Guard women and men without
pay.
4. As this is a new award, final policy, eligibility, manner of
wear, and guidance on acquiring the new ribbon are still being
developed. Additional guidance will be promulgated by the Personnel
Service Center and announced on MyCG once available.
5. This award is a testament to the hard work and resiliency of
every member of our Service. I am proud of your sustained courage
and determination in the face of both challenge and adversity. You
are the reason we are the World’s Best Coast Guard. Semper Paratus!
6. ADM K. L. Schultz, Commandant (CCG), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.