ALCOAST 207/23 - JUN 2023 2022 AUXILIARY INTEGRATION AWARD PROGRAM RESULTS

R 021612Z JUN 23 MID120000169584U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 207/23
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2022 AUXILIARY INTEGRATION AWARD PROGRAM RESULTS
1. I am pleased to announce the winners of the first annual
Commodore Viggo C. Bertelsen, Jr. and Vice Admiral John P.
Currier Awards along with the District Director of Auxiliary of the
Year Award. Bravo Zulu to the following:
    a. Enhanced Mission Support Award: Coast Guard Academy.
The Coast Guard Academy insightfully incorporated Auxiliarists in
critical administrative positions including its Personnel Security
Clearance Office (PSCO). Auxiliary integration greatly alleviated
the PSCO's workload by adeptly leveraging the skills of a team of
Auxiliarists to rapidly process background checks and security
clearance packages for the corps of cadets and Academy staff.
    b. Enhanced Operations Award: Sector Long Island Sound.
The Auxiliary was integral to Sector Long Island Sound mission
success as Auxiliarists not only performed over 6,100 hours of
direct operational mission support but also delivered over 500 hours
assisting the assessment of terrorist threat vectors at small boat
marinas and ramps in support of Operation Focused Lens.
    c. Applied Innovation Award: Research and Development Center
(RDC). The RDC fully integrated the Auxiliary in unique and
innovative roles. This included utilizing an Auxiliarist with a
PhD in Psychology to assist with cognitive enhancement tools,
partnering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Historian to create a
history of the RDC, and leveraging a skilled Auxiliarist to complete
the installation of a novel hydroponic garden onboard CGC POLAR STAR
to grow fresh vegetables for its upcoming deployment.
    d. District Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) of the Year:
CDR Christina Sullivan (D1-Northern Region). CDR Sullivan's skillful
leadership facilitated the conduct of more than 140,000 Auxiliary
mission hours and coordination of several new regional initiatives
including establishment of the D1-NR Auxiliary Paddlecraft Afloat
Program. Her incisive guidance and initiative were instrumental to
the smooth implementation of this new program and its initial
qualification of more than 20 Auxiliary operators who will
significantly improve recreational boating safety among the regional
paddlecraft community.
2. Honorable mention goes to the following nominees by category:
    a. Enhanced Mission Support Award: CGC EAGLE.
Experienced Auxiliarists were employed in a variety of mission
support areas including a trained galley team of five Auxiliarists
which helped prepare nearly 700 daily meals for the crew.
    b. Enhanced Operations Award: Sector Boston. Auxiliarists
assisted Sector Boston in numerous areas including the development
and promotion of a dynamic Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program
which assisted operational missions ranging from search and rescue
to ice patrols.
    c. Applied Innovation Award: Sector Houston/Galveston.
Auxiliarists were successfully incorporated in Sector
Houston/Galveston's Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council and
made significant contributions to the Sector's Community Day and
Bring Your Child to Work Day events.
    d. DIRAUX of the Year: CDR Navin Griffin (D7). CDR Griffin's
dedicated efforts enabled D7 Auxiliarists to achieve great success
in numerous areas including invaluable post-storm assessment
missions following Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, and Fiona, and direct
augmentation in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry.
3. I applaud the exceptional actions of all awardees and nominees.
Your integration of the Auxiliary in novel and effective ways has
increased Coast Guard mission efficiency, enhanced its achievement
of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provided inspirational
models for all Coast Guard units.
4. Plaques for the Commodore Viggo C. Bertelsen, Jr. and
Vice Admiral John P. Currier Awards will be sent to the cognizant
DIRAUX for coordination of appropriate presentation. The DIRAUX of
the Year award will be presented at the 2023 Auxiliary National
Conference in Orlando, Florida in August 2023.
5. The nine-member selection panel thoroughly reviewed and
deliberated 17 nomination packages across all four categories.
Panel members were:
    a. CAPT Troy Glendye, COMDT (CG-BSX)
    b. COMO Mary Kirkwood, Auxiliary Vice National Commodore
    c. CDR Bradly Winans, COMDT (CG-BSX-1)
    d. LCDR Kazuaki Sugiyama, CGRC
    e. LT Chris Booth, COMDT (CG-BSX-11)
    f. BMCM Travis Park, COMDT (CG-BSX-12)
    g. YNC Scott Doyle, COMDT (CG-INV)
    h. Mr. Steve Minutolo, COMDT (CG-BSX-11)
    i. Mr. Barry Nobles, COMDT (CG-BSX-21)
6. POC: LT Chris Booth, COMDT (CG-BSX-11), at 202-372-1056 or
Christopher.W.Booth@uscg.mil.
7. CAPT A. M. Beach, Acting Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy (CG-5P), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.