ALCOAST 357/21 - SEP 2021 SELECTION OF THE SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE OF THE YEAR

R 301252Z SEP 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 357/21
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SELECTION OF THE SPECIAL COMMAND AIDE OF THE YEAR
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 111053Z AUG 21/ALCOAST 291/21
1. IAW REF (A), a selection board convened on 20 September 2021
to review nominations for the 2021 Special Command Aide (SCA)
of the Year. I am pleased to announce that CS2 Felicia Juarez,
SCA to RADM William Kelly, Superintendent of the United States
Coast Guard Academy, is this year's winner.
2. CS2 Juarez distinguished herself through noteworthy leadership,
superior job performance, self-improvement, community involvement
and, exemplary commitment to our Core Values.
3. CS2 Juarez will be nominated for United Service Organizations
(USO) Metro Enlisted Aide of the Year and participate in a selection
board against enlisted aides from each of the other Services. The
panel members will include former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and former Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, and Coast Guard. The winner of this competition will be
announced at the Enlisted Aide of the Year Award Ceremony during
USO Metro Salute to Military Chefs dinner in Washington D.C. on
18 November 2021. The annual USO-Metro Salute to Military Chefs
dinner is designed to showcase the culinary talents of today's
military chefs.
4. Also warranting special recognition are the following SCAs for
their outstanding contributions to the Coast Guard, SCA program,
and Culinary Specialist Rating:
    a. CS1 Michelle Sacco (runner up) - RADM Penoyer - D11
    b. CS1 Kendra Garza - VADM McAllister - PACAREA
    c. CS1 Amanda Harris - RADM Bouboulis - D13
5. A special thanks is also extended to the SCA of the Year
Selection Panel, which consisted of the following members:
    a. LT Edgar Carrelo - ALD-LCB-ICP - Prior SCA for 4 years
and prior award recipient.
    b. CWO3 Thitisady Saiyasak - ALC - Prior SCA for 5 years
and prior award recipient.
    c. CWO2 Melinda Skinner - SILC - Prior SCA for 4 years.
    d. CSC Megann Driver - Sector Southeastern New England - prior
SCA for 4 years.
6. I am also pleased to announce that CS1 John Toman was selected
to be one of the chefs that will combine their creative talents to
prepare a six-course meal for the annual USO-Metro Salute to
Military Chefs dinner alongside the Ritz-Carlton's Executive Chef.
CS1 Toman was selected as the Coast Guard representative to
participate with one member from the culinary teams of the
President, Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, each member
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Coast Guard Commandant.
7. Congratulations to all of the nominees for their exceptional
professionalism as SCAs and Culinary Specialists. Each is commended
for their extraordinary performance and expertise, and all continue
to set the bar high for the next generation of the SCAs.
8. POC: for additional information, contact the SCA Program Manager,
CSCS Derek Johnson, at (202)372-4412 or Derek.R.Johnson@uscg.mil.
9. ADM Linda Fagan, Vice Commandant (VCG), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.