ALCOAST 143/21 - APR 2021 2021 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

R 121433Z APR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 143/21
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: 2021 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
1. This ALCOAST solicits nominations for the 2021 BIG Meritorious
Service Award. The annual award recognizes personnel whose
attributes best epitomized the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor,
Respect, and Devotion to Duty.
2. The BIG Meritorious Service Award is open to Coast Guard service
members (active duty and reserve) and civilian employees. The
performance period is April 2020 to April 2021.
3. Nominations must include a narrative describing the nominee's
accomplishments including:
    a. Demonstrated support for the full integration and promotion
of African Americans within the Armed Forces or Federal civilian
workforce.
    b. Significantly increased the opportunity for participation
of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Federal programs.
    c. Distinguished themselves by promoting the tenets of civil/
human rights, equal opportunity, human relations, and/or public
service.
    d. Displayed exceptional character that distinguishes an
individual as an outstanding leader, role model, or mentor
by promoting the development or advancement of all personnel,
including women and minorities.
    e. Contributed to equal opportunity for advancement based
on merit and fitness for all members of the Armed Services
and civilians, including women and minorities.
    f. Believed in and practiced the tenets of a democratic society,
including the belief that all people are created equal, and that
freedom is a right that must be protected at all times.
    g. Assisted in overcoming discrimination and eliminating barriers
that hinder equal opportunity for all members of the Armed Services
and civilian employees, including women and minorities.
    h. Supported the full integration and promotion of all personnel,
to include women and minorities, within the Armed Services and
civilian workforce.
    i. Created opportunities that support and contribute to the
mentorship, development, advancement or retention of all personnel,
including women and minorities, in government service consistent
with merit principles.
    j. Created job or training opportunities that will support
and contribute to the advancement of all members, including
women and minorities, in the Armed Services or civilian workforce.
4. Nomination packages must include the following items:
    a. Narrative describing the nominee’s accomplishments,
not to exceed two pages.
    b. Citation summarizing the nominee's accomplishments,
not to exceed 12 lines.
    c. Biography of the nominee, not to exceed one page.
    d. A digital (.jpg format) head and shoulder color
photograph of the nominee.
    e. Command cover memo, with signature, forwarding the package.
    f. Award Nomination Transmittal Form available from the Point
of Contact (POC) indicated below.
    g. Items a. through c. must be in MS Word, 12-point font,
single-spaced with one-inch margins. These documents may not
be scanned or in .pdf format. Please do not include Personally
Identifiable Information (PII).
5. Nominations must be forwarded as email attachments to the
POC no later than May 19, 2021. COMDT (CG-00H) will convene
a panel to select the top three nominees. The Coast Guard’s
final nominations will be forwarded to BIG for consideration
and final selection. The command of the award recipient will
be notified by email prior to announcement of the results to
the workforce. Award winners will be recognized during the
Blacks In Government National President’s Reception on
August 24, 2021 at National Harbor, MD.
6. POC: COMDT (CG-00H), Mr. Juan Torres, 202-372-4594,
juan.l.torres@uscg.mil.
7. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Civil Rights Director, COMDT
(CG-00H), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.