ALCOAST 348/22 - SEP 2022 EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION ON 18 OCTOBER 2022

R 201220Z SEP 22 MID200080218699U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 348/22
SSIC 1710
SUBJ: EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION ON 18 OCTOBER 2022
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13A
1. The Coast Guard Office of Cutter Forces COMDT (CG-751), the Heart
of the Service, is sponsoring a Sea Service Celebration centered
around 18 October 2022 that honors the sacrifices of the men and
women serving aboard Coast Guard cutters and highlights the hard
work of the thousands of shoreside administrative, training, and
engineering personnel who enable our fleet to operate. On 18
October 1974, the Office of Personnel promulgated the Coast Guard
Cutterman Insignia program, to "recognize the contributions and
qualifications of our personnel." This year, we celebrate more
than 232 years of our sea-going traditions, currently upheld by
over 8,000 active duty personnel aboard our 257 cutters.
2. Eight Bells - A Sea Service Celebration is intended to recognize
the hard work done by all who serve in the cutter community,
including career cuttermen, cuttermen-to-be, and those who
support cutters. Despite the diversity in missions and
capabilities among the cutter classes, the time-tested sea going
traditions unite and bind the entire cutter community together. A
new crewmember can go aboard a cutter of any size or class and be
comforted by the shared traditions of the ringing of eight bells
and testing the ship's alarms and whistle at noon, completing
underway checklists, checking the setting of material condition
Yoke, closing the brow at first call to morning and evening colors,
and, of course, coffee break for the crew, among many others.
3. As part of Eight Bells - A Sea Service Celebration, COMDT
(CG-751) encourages all cuttermen, operational commanders, and
cutter support elements to participate in the following events:
   a. One-page essay/poem contest: By 07 October 2022, our current,
past and aspiring future professional mariners are invited to
submit a one-page essay, story, or poem, on the theme of
"Teamwork and Camaraderie." Potential topics include, but are not
limited to: best sea stories, experiences, traditions, missions,
lore, history, professional incentives, etc. Submissions will be
judged on creativity and ability to inspire shipmates to answer
the call and stand the watch.
     (1) Submissions have no format requirement beyond the one
page limit. Submissions must include the name of the author,
unless unit, department, or group name applies. The poem may rhyme
like a New Year's Day log entry, or be free verse and free flowing
like a body of water, or even a haiku or two. Pictures are also
encouraged if they add value to the essay, story, or poem. Chain
of command approved contest submissions should be sent via email
to the two POCs listed below. The top three winning entries will
be posted on social media platforms and the COMDT (CG-751) portal
page, and shared with Surface Naval Association Presidents, Rating
Force Master Chiefs, and Operational Commanders for distribution
within the cutter community. It is requested that you do not
submit entries from prior years.
     (2) All submissions should be of good taste and professional
in nature. For more information on this and other public affairs
policies, see REF (A), Chapter 3, Section H. Submissions will be
judged on creativity, quality, and ability to inspire esprit de
corps.
   b. Local events: All commands are encouraged to host appropriate
functions that celebrate sea service traditions during the month
of October, particularly on 18 October if possible. Suggestions
include: local Cuttermen's Calls, Dinings-In, or cutter round-ups
with friendly competitions (DC Olympics, Shiphandling challenge,
etc.), while adhering to local and Coast Guard pandemic guidance.
Notify POCs in paragraph 4 below of any planned events and tag
any social media posts with #EightBells.
   c. Submissions will be judged by a panel consisting of COMDT
(CG-751) members, the Douglas Munro Chapter of the Surface Navy
Association Board of Directors, and other illustrious cuttermen
within the COMDT (CG-7) directorate.
   d. For a concurrent annual Surface Naval Association (SNA)
competition, submit photos by 01 October 2022 at:
(Copy and Paste the URL Below into Browser)

http://navysna.org/awards/

under the CAPT Raymond Komorowski Photo Awardsection.
   e. On 19 October, there will be a Coffee with Cuttermen at CGHQ
with details announced in a separate correspondence. The award
winners will be announced at this event.
4. POCs: Primary: LTJG Brynne Domingo, Athina.B.Domingo@uscg.mil
Secondary: LT Matt Statkus, Matthew.R.Statkus@uscg.mil
5. RADM Todd C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for Capability,
(CG-7), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.