ALCOAST 126/22 - APR 2022 2021 COAST GUARD ENLISTED PERSONS OF THE YEAR SELECTION

R 051600Z APR 22 MID200001636028U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 126/22
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2021 COAST GUARD ENLISTED PERSONS OF THE YEAR SELECTION
1. We are pleased to announce the selection of BM1 Kailea
Blankenship of USCG STA Galveston as the 2021 Enlisted Person
of the Year - Active Duty Component, and MK1 Ryan Huffman of
USCG STA Channel Islands as the 2021 Enlisted Person of the Year
- Reserve Component.
a. BM1 Blankenship currently serves as the Operations Petty
Officer at Station Galveston where her leadership, professionalism,
and community outreach efforts have positively impacted not only
the Coast Guard, but the local community as well. An extraordinary
leader, BM1 Blankenship has dedicated herself to the professional
development of others by facilitating OIC review board study
sessions, being an active participant during numerous Women's
Leadership Initiative events, and helping to develop a training
program for the newly established Galveston Port Police's Boat
Division. BM1 Blankenship also serves as one of Base Galveston's
Victim Advocates, serving as a vital SAPR resource for the more
than 400 members within the Base's AOR. A consummate professional,
BM1 Blankenship sought opportunities to develop her own skills by
accepting a five month TDY assignment as the acting XPO aboard the
USCGC STINGRAY, earning her Underway Officer of the Deck
certification, and allowing for STINGRAY to continue to operate
without loss of mission effectiveness. BM1 Blankenship has also
made significant contributions to the local community through her
volunteer efforts, having served over 450 families and sorted over
5000 pounds of food at the Galveston County Food Bank. In addition,
BM1 Blankenship organized numerous engagements with local schools,
introducing students to the Coast Guard, and assisting with
recruitment efforts.
b. MK1 Huffman currently serves as a Reservist at Station Channel
Islands where his continued leadership and devotion to duty has
made significant impacts to the unit, Reserve program, and the Coast
Guard as a whole. When Station Channel Islands was without a Senior
Enlisted Reserve Advisor (SERA), a position normally reserved for
E-7 and above, MK1 Huffman stepped-up to fill the position for over
10 months, ensuring that the Station's command maintained a singular
point of contact for all Reserve issues. Identifying a lack of
physical fitness opportunities due to local fitness center closures,
MK1 Huffman created a running program for reserve members to assist
with maintaining physical fitness and mental health. As the COVID-19
pandemic impacted the Nation, MK1 Huffman displayed unparalleled
initiative by qualifying as a COVID-19 Contact Tracer serving
MSRT West, USCGC BERTHOLF, and Station Morro Bay, helping to
maintain the service's readiness, and stem the spread of the virus.
In addition, MK1 Huffman deployed with FEMA to assist with COVID-19
vaccinations as the Deputy Operations Section Chief within the
Incident Management Team in Medford, OR, and the Lead Petty Officer
at the Oakland, CA Mass Vaccination Site, helping to ensure the
successful delivery of over 500,000 vaccines to the public. As
the service seeks to grow the Reserve Program, MK1 Huffman
selflessly volunteered to serve as a Reserve Recruiter and attended
Reserve Recruiter Training. As a recruiter he has conducted over
70 community outreach events with colleges, police and fire
departments, contributing greatly to the Service's recruiting
efforts.
2. Petty Officer Blankenship and Petty Officer Huffman are
exceptional Coast Guardsmen who embody our Core Values both
on and off duty.
3. The following individuals are also worthy of special recognition,
having earned nominations from their commands and the respect of
their fellow Coast Guard men and women as 2021 Enlisted Persons of
the Year at the District level:
a. MK2 Michael F. Hand, CG STA New London, CT;
b. HS1 Russell Sunderland, CG TRACEN Cape May, NJ;
c. MST1 Kaitlyn Landolt, CG SECTOR Charleston, SC;
d. BM2 Nancy C. Worley, CGC Hollyhock, MI;
e. MK1 Chelsea Huff, CG Base Alameda, CA;
f. MST3 Sergey W. Hartshorne, CG SECTOR Columbia River, OR;
g. HS2 Caitlin S. Holubar, CG Air Station Barbers Point, HI;
h. HS1 Amanda L. Kitson, CG Base Ketchikan, AK;
i. OS1 Christopher J. Butzko, CG SECTOR New York, NY;
j. BM1 Gregory Truesdell, CG Station Oak Island, NC;
k. MST1 Catalina Jaques, CG SECTOR Miami, FL;
l. MK1 Jason W. Loerwald, CG STA New Orleans, LA;
m. HS1 Daniel J. Theriault, CG Base Cleveland, OH;
n. HS2 Marten R. Zagunis, CG Base Seattle, WA;
o. ME2 Mary C. Gillan, CG Station Apra Harbor, GU; and
p. BM1 Jennifer Stubblefield, CG Station Valdez, AK.
4. Thank you to the numerous commands that recognized our many
high-performing enlisted personnel for a job well done.
5. The POC for the Enlisted Person of the Year Program is
MECS William Kelly, COMDT (CG-00B) at 202-372-4432 or
William.P.Kelly@uscg.mil.
6. Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant (CCG) and
MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Coast Guard (CG-00B), send.
7. Internet release is authorized.