ALCOAST 321/21 - SEP 2021 2021 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SECRETARY'S AWARDS CEREMONY REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS

R 091906Z SEP 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 321/21
SSIC 12451
SUBJ:  2021 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 2021 DHS Secretary's
Awards Ceremony. The Secretary will hold the 2021 Secretary's Awards
Ceremony on Wednesday, 02 February 2022, in Washington, D.C. to
honor individual and collective achievements across DHS that
occurred during the period of 01 September 2020 through
31 July 2021. Nomination packages are due to the Coast Guard at:
DHSAwardsSubmissions@uscg.mil by COB 22 September 2021.
2. Nominations are solicited for the following categories:
    a. Exceptional Service Award (Gold Medal);
    b. Secretary's Award for Leadership Excellence (Team and
Individual);
    c. Secretary's Meritorious Service (Silver Medal);
    d. Secretary's Award for Valor;
    e. Secretary's Award for Innovation;
    f. Secretary's Award for Team Excellence;
    g. Secretary's Champion of Equity Award; and,
    h. Secretary's Award for Volunteer Service.
3. For a description of the 2021 DHS award categories visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg121/CG-124/Shared%20Documents/
2021_DHS_Secretarys_Awards_CG_Nomination_Instructions/Secretary%20
Awards%20-%202021_Categories.docx.pdf

4. You are encouraged to recognize military members and civilian
employees, appropriated and non-appropriated fund, not previously
honored with Secretarial awards, who are deserving of the highest
recognition, having made extraordinary contributions to Coast Guard
and/or DHS as a whole. 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 packages must contain:
    a. A completed Nomination Form: Secretarial Awards, DHS Form
3100-1 (version 8/21). The DHS Form 3100-1 must be endorsed by the
first level Flag Officer/SES in the chain of command.  The
Secretarial Awards, DHS Form 3100-1, is accessible at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg121/CG-124/Shared%20Documents/
2021_DHS_Secretarys_Awards_CG_Nomination_Instructions/2021_DHS%20
Form%203100%201.pdf

Note: Internet Explorer must be used to open this form in CGPortal.
Copy and paste this link into Internet Explorer. It is required to
use the current version of this form.
    b. If the nomination is for a team, a completed 2021 Secretary's
Awards Team Member form is required. Information on the form must be
complete and accurate for all team members. Team members should
include only those employees/members who personally and
significantly contributed to the project/event. Generally this is
intended to be approximately 10-15 individuals. The Team Member form
is accessible at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg121/CG-124/Shared%20Documents/
2021_DHS_Secretarys_Awards_CG_Nomination_Instructions/Secretary%20
Awards%20-%202021_Team_Member_Form.pdf

    c. A completed Coast Guard Award Recommendation Form, CG-1650,
version 02/20. The form must be endorsed by the first level Flag
Officer/SES in the chain of command. Block 19.3 and Block 20 must be
left blank. The Coast Guard Award Recommendation Form, CG-1650 is
available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/sites/externaldata/Forms/
CG_1650.PDF

It is required to use the current version of this form.
    d. Details regarding eligibility, nomination procedures,
instructions for completing the required forms, additional
nomination guidance, and best practices can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg121/CG-124/Shared%20Documents/
2021_DHS_Secretarys_Awards_CG_Nomination_Instructions/Secretary
Awards-2021_CG_Instructions.pdf

6. Nomination packages must be submitted scanned via email to the
Coast Guard at: DHSAwardsSubmissions@uscg.mil. All nominations must
be received by COMDT (CG-124), no later than 22 September 2021.
Extensions will not be granted. Incomplete submissions or
nominations that exceed four total pages will not be accepted.
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.
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.
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 Wednesday, 02 February 2022.
Nominating commands are hereby authorized, at your discretion, to
fund and issue invitational and/or permissive travel orders
IAW REF (A).
9. POC: Ms. Brooke M. Lawson (252) 489-9860,
Brooke.M.Lawson@uscg.mil.
10. Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Director of Civilian Human Resources,
Diversity and Leadership (CG-12), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.