ALCOAST 032/24 - JAN 2024 2024 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS AND GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS SOLICITATION

R 241225Z JAN 24   MID600117129961U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 032/24
SSIC 16100
SUBJ: 2024 ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS AND
GEOFF PAGELS SAR PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS SOLICITATION
A. Recognition Programs Manual, COMDTINST M1650.26 (series)
B. Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1 (series)
1. This ALCOAST solicits nominees for the 2024 Association for the
Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) and 2024 Geoff Pagels Search and Rescue (SAR)
Professionals of the Year awards.
2. Background.
    a. AFRAS Gold and Silver Awards.
        (1) Formed in 1976, AFRAS is a non-profit foundation that
supports services concerned with saving lives at sea. The AFRAS
awards program provides the opportunity for Area and District
Commanders, Commanding Officers, and Officers-in-Charge to
recognize deserving Coast Guard personnel for bravery in the
conduct of SAR missions.
        (2) The AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals are the highest SAR
awards presented to a Coast Guard member by a civilian
organization.
            (a) Gold Medal. Established in 1982, the Gold Medal is
presented annually to a Coast Guard enlisted person for an act
of extraordinary bravery during a rescue at sea.
            (b) Silver Medal. Established in 2000, the Silver Medal
(silver reflects the distinctive Auxiliary uniform) is presented
annually to a deserving Coast Guard Auxiliarist. A collective
nomination may be submitted for members of the same boat or air
crew.
    b. Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
Established in 2023, the Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the
Year awards honor the legacy of the first Coast Guard civilian
SAR Specialist.
3. Awards presentation. Both the 2023 and 2024 AFRAS Gold and
Silver Medals and the Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year
awards will be announced via ALCOAST. Awardees will be honored
in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in April 2024. Ceremony
participants often include congressional representatives, AFRAS
leadership, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and other senior
Coast Guard leaders. Award recipients will be honored at the
ceremony and family members are invited to attend.
4. Awards eligibility.
    a. AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals. AFRAS selects recipients
from among nominations submitted. Award criteria are set forth
in REF (A) and reiterated below.
        (1) Gold Medal nominees must be enlisted members on active
duty at the time of the rescue being recognized. Silver Medal
nominees must be Coast Guard Auxiliarists at the time of the
rescue being recognized.
        (2) The response must involve a lifesaving rescue from the
perils of the sea where the heroic actions of the nominee are
uniquely distinguished. However, consideration will be given to
all rescues involving life-threatening situations.
    b. Geoff Pagels SAR Professionals of the Year Awards.
        (1) One nomination may be submitted for outstanding
contribution to the SAR mission readiness of Coast Guard SAR
Professionals. This includes training, relationship building and
mentorship.
        (2) A second nomination may be submitted for a member or
team that demonstrated outstanding professionalism in the
planning and coordination of a SAR mission.
    c. All award nominations must be for calendar year 2023.
5. Administration.
    a. Units are encouraged to submit 2024 nominations for both
AFRAS Gold and Silver Medals and the Geoff Pagels SAR
Professionals of the Year Awards to COMDT (CG-SAR). AFRAS Silver
Medal nominations may be submitted to COMDT (CG-SAR) by the
District Commodore via the District Director of Auxiliary.
    b. All nominations must consist of:
        (1) A memorandum identifying the award recommendation, the
nominee and pay grade (if applicable), current duty station/
Auxiliary Flotilla, and expiration of enlistment (if applicable).
        (2) Coast Guard Award Recommendation, Form CG-1650.
        (3) Per REF (A), the award citation.
        (4) Any additional information pertinent to AFRAS evaluation
of the nomination.
    c. Forward command endorsed nominations to: COMDT (CG-SAR),
U.S. Coast Guard, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington,
D.C. 20593-7516. Attn: AFRAS Nomination.
    d. Award nominations must be received by COMDT (CG-SAR) by
29 FEB 2024.
6. COMDT (CG-SAR) Awards POC: Mr. Mike Clarke (202) 372-2090;
email: michael.e.clarke@uscg.mil. Notify Mr. Clarke of a pending
award nomination submission.
7. Ms. Dana S. Tulis, Director, Office of Emergency Management
(CG-5RI), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.