ALCOAST 061/21 - FEB 2021 EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE

united states coast guard

R 191831Z FEB 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 061/21
SSIC 5700
SUBJ: EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE
1. The demands put on our Coast Guard Reserve are as complex and
diverse today as they have ever been at any point in our storied
history. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of
the Coast Guard Reserve, we find ourselves in the midst of a global
pandemic in which our Reserve Forces demonstrated remarkable agility,
by rapidly evaluating, adapting, training, and responding when
called. Together, we have risen above challenges with a strong
sense of professionalism and purpose. As always, the steadfast
Devotion to Duty displayed by our reservists demonstrates
unrelenting commitment to respond at a moment’s notice to the
Nation's call.
2. Over the past year, hundreds of reservists rapidly responded
to the needs of our Nation, from the pandemic to natural disasters
to continued Department of Defense support in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Closer to home, reservists seized the opportunity to support the
needs of their active duty shipmates as part of the Coast Guard’s
Parental Leave Program, thereby preventing critical gaps in
day-to-day Coast Guard operations.
3. To increase relevance with the priorities and preferences
of the current workforce, the Coast Guard Reserve undertook new
initiatives to attract and retain members being released from
Active Duty. Qualified members who transfer from the active
component to the Selected Reserve are now provided a one-year
deployment deferment, providing each the opportunity to remain
actively affiliated with no risk of immediate, involuntary
deployment. This period of stabilization allows new reservists
transitioning from Active Duty to maintain operational readiness
while they work to establish themselves in new civilian careers.
Further, the reserve component adopted a Flexible PAL (FlexPAL),
providing agility in the assignment process, to reduce members’
commuting distances and create a more geographically stable
workforce.
4. These initiatives and others, coupled with stalwart leadership
at all levels of our reserve components have put the building blocks
in place to restore the reserve component to authorized end strength
of 7,000.
5. Looking to the horizon we see a continued and likely expanded
need for a robust Coast Guard Reserve to support the Nation.
As the Department of Homeland Security’s only military reserve
component, the Coast Guard Reserve has proven its value many
times over, and will continue to do so into the future. Driven
by exceptional professionalism, a strong bias for action, and
unwavering devotion to duty, the Coast Guard Reserve stands
tall and remains ready to respond to disasters and threats
domestically and abroad, as well as augment Coast Guard front
line operations and mission support functions when and where
circumstances demand.
6. On behalf of every member of the Coast Guard, Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve George Williamson and
I extend our warmest regards and gratitude to every reservist,
past and present, for your selfless and patriotic service.
Bravo Zulu, and Semper Paratus.
7. ADM K. L. Schultz, Commandant (CCG), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.