ALCOAST 034/24 - JAN 2024 SOLICITATION FOR THE CY23 BOAT FORCES AWARDS

R 251757Z JAN 24 MID120000825498U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 034/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR THE CY23 BOAT FORCES AWARDS
A. Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, Volume I, COMDTINST
16114.32 (series)
1. Recognizing the significant contribution to Coast Guard mission
execution that the boat forces community provides, a comprehensive
update to the Boat Forces Awards Program was approved in December
2023. This update includes adding dedicated recognition for
reservists to the CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy Award
and the Fireman First Class Paul Clark Outstanding Engineering
Award and establishing the Master Chief Jack Downey Unit Awards.
2. This ALCOAST solicits nominations for the CY23 Boat Forces
Awards. This includes the CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain
Trophy Award (Active Duty and Reserve), Fireman First Class Paul
Clark Outstanding Engineering Award (Active Duty and Reserve), and
the Master Chief Jack Downey Awards.
3. CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy Award.
    a. Background: While serving as Signalman First Class, Petty
Officer Ray Evans was awarded the Navy Cross for his gallant
efforts while fighting alongside fellow coxswain Douglas Munro on
27 September 1942 at Point Cruz on Guadalcanal. Petty Officer
Evans provided covering fire for, and evacuated elements of the
1st Battalion, 7th Marines, who were under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. Puller. Petty Officer Evans remained
at his post for the entire operation and, with every other member
of his crew killed or wounded, he maintained control of the boat
and risked his own life to save others. Only those who displayed
extreme acts of combat heroism and other distinguished service
were awarded the Navy Cross.
    b. The CDR Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy Award
recognizes outstanding coxswains' performance in Coast Guard Boat
Force's operations and is presented annually to one active-duty
and one reserve enlisted coxswain who demonstrates sustained
exemplary performance and superior technical, professional, and
leadership abilities.
    c. Eligibility requirements. The 2023 CDR Ray Evans Outstanding
Coxswain Trophy Award recipients will be selected in accordance
with the criteria established in REF (A).
Nominees must meet the following:
        (1) Be active duty, E-3 (with designator) through E-6.
        (2) Be a reservist, E-3 (with designator) through E-6.
        (3) Be a certified coxswain.
        (4) Be assigned to a Boat Forces unit during the entire
designated calendar year.
        (5) Be in compliance with Coast Guard weight standards.
        (6) Have no non-judicial punishment, no civil convictions,
have a mark of "satisfactory" in conduct, and no mark less than
"four" on their enlisted performance evaluation.
        (7) For the purpose of this award, Boat Forces units
include: Sectors (member shall maintain an active coxswain
competency while assigned), Aids to Navigation Teams, Centers of
Excellence (NMLBS, BFCO, SMTC-Boat Tactics Branch, MLEA-Pursuit
School, (if maintaining an active coxswain competency), NSF (Deck
Department), MFPU, MSST, MSRT (members assigned to Tactical
Delivery Teams), MSU Huntington Boathouse, PSU (members assigned
to Waterside Division), Stations, Boat Forces Units (BFUs), and
Cutters.
    d. Selection criteria. The award recipients will be the
coxswains who possesses the strongest combination of leadership,
proficiency, and performance of duty.
    e. Selection. The Office of Boat Forces will convene a selection
panel to evaluate the nomination packages and the award recipient
will be announced via ALCOAST.
    f. Action. Nomination packages must be submitted by the
Commanding Officer/Officer-in-Charge to COMDT (CG-731) via the
chain of command using sample format provided at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg731/SitePages/Coxswain
Trophy Award.aspx

4. Fireman First Class Paul Clark Outstanding Engineering Award.
    a. Background: Fireman First Class Paul Clark was honored with
the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while serving as engineer
of a landing boat during an assault on an occupation of French
Morocco in 1942. When a hostile aircraft strafed his boat with
machine gun fire, mortally wounding the bowman and severely
injuring the coxswain, Fireman Clark quickly assumed control of
the craft and immediately withdrew from the beach. He sped to an
offshore ship, placed the wounded men aboard and, although his
craft was riddled with enemy gunfire, courageously returned to
his station at the beach and completed his boat's mission.
    b. The Fireman First Class Paul Clark Outstanding Engineering
Award recognizes outstanding boat engineering performance and is
presented annually to one active-duty and one reservist enlisted
engineer who demonstrates sustained exemplary performance and
superior technical, professional, and leadership abilities.
    c. Eligibility requirements. The 2023 Fireman First Class Paul
Clark Boat Forces Engineering Award recipients will be selected in
accordance with the criteria established in REF (A).
    d. Nominees must meet the following:
        (1) Be active duty, E-3 (with designator) through E-6.
        (2) Be a reservist, E-3 (with designator) through E-6.
        (3) Be a certified boat engineer.
        (4) Be assigned to a Boat Forces unit during the entire
designated calendar year.
        (5) Be in compliance with the Coast Guard weight standards.
        (6) Have no non-judicial punishment, no civil convictions,
have a mark of "satisfactory" in conduct and no mark less than
"four" on their enlisted performance evaluation.
    e. For the purpose of this award, Boat Forces units include:
Sectors (member shall maintain an active boat engineer competency
while assigned), Aids to Navigation Teams, Centers of Excellence
(NMLBS, BFCO, SMTC-Boat Tactics Branch, MLEA-Pursuit School, (if
maintaining an active boat engineer competency), NSF (Deck
Department), MFPU, MSST, MSRT (members assigned to Tactical
Delivery Teams), MSU Huntington Boathouse, PSU (members assigned
to Waterside Division), Stations, Boat Forces Units (BFUs), and
Cutters.
    f. Selection criteria. The award recipients will be the boat
engineers who possess the strongest combination of leadership,
proficiency, and performance of duty. Units that do not require a
boat engineer may submit a package for an individual performing
similar duties in the spirit of this criteria.
    g. Selection. The Office of Boat Forces will convene a selection
panel to evaluate the nomination packages and the award recipient
will be announced via ALCOAST.
    h. Action. Nomination packages must be submitted by the
Commanding Officer/Officer-in-Charge to COMDT (CG-731) via the
chain of command using sample format provided at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg731/SitePages/Boat%20Forces
%20Engineer%20Award.aspx

5. Master Chief Jack Downey Award.
    a. Background: Master Chief John E. "Jack" Downey led an
exemplary career, having served in the United States Coast Guard
for over 40 years. He brought a wealth of leadership,
professionalism, and performance to a wide variety of
operational, command, and staff assignments over the years,
including five Officer-In-Charge multi-mission ashore assignments
and two Officer-In-Charge afloat assignments. Having held
Officer-In-Charge positions at Boat Forces units for more than 17
years of the more than 20 years he served in the Boat Forces
Community; he was the first recipient of the Joshua James Ancient
Keeper Award, which is given to Coast Guard members in recognition
of their longevity of service and their outstanding performance
in Boat Forces operations. As Officer in Charge at Station
Chatham, he received a much-needed new surf capable rescue boat,
the 28 ft LeCompte. In October 1991, Cape Cod and New England
were slammed by the "No Name" or "Halloween" Storm, later known
as the "Perfect Storm". Under Master Chief's leadership, the
station crew prepared for one of the most ferocious storms in
history. Master Chief Downey received many prestigious awards
throughout his career, but his greatest legacy may not be his
personal heroics, but the wisdom, guidance and experience he
shared with innumerable Coast Guard women and men.
    b. The Master Chief Jack Downey Award recognizes units in four
categories (Station, Advanced Competency Station, Aids to
Navigation Team, and Other) who have exemplified the finest
traits of a Boat Forces unit. The award nominees' activities
shall have occurred during the designated calendar year.
    c. Eligibility requirements. The 2023 Master Chief Jack Downey
Award recipients will be selected in accordance with the criteria
established in REF (A).
    d. Selection criteria. The award recipients will be the units
who possess the strongest combination of:
        (1) Mission Performance.
        (2) Leadership and Partnerships.
        (3) Community Outreach.
        (4) Readiness.
        (5) Safety.
    e. Selection. The Office of Boat Forces will convene a selection
panel to evaluate the nomination packages and the award recipient
will be announced via ALCOAST.
    f. Action. Nomination packages must be submitted by the
Commanding Officer/Officer-in-Charge to COMDT (CG-731) via the
chain of command using sample format provided at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg731/SitePages/Jack%20Downey%
20Award.aspx

6. All nomination packages require endorsement by one level up the
chain of command and should be received by Office of Boat Forces
(CG-731), Attn: BMC Michael Dames, NLT 17 FEB 2024. All
submissions must be sent by email and must be in PDF format with
all required signatures and endorsements. Electronic signature is
acceptable. Nominations must be in standard memorandum format,
not to exceed three pages. Endorsements must not exceed one page.
7. POC: COMDT (CG-731) BMC Michael Dames, Michael.S.Dames@USCG.Mil
(571) 608-9389. For general policy questions contact COMDT
(CG-7311) at HQS-DG-Ist-CG-7311.
8. RADM Todd C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.