ALCOAST 049/24 - JAN 2024 2023 EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER OF THE YEAR (ESOY) AND INSPIRATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR (ISOY) AWARD RECIPIENTS

R 311627Z JAN 24    MID120000840590U
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 049/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2023 EDUCATION SERVICES OFFICER OF THE YEAR (ESOY) AND
INSPIRATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR (ISOY) AWARD RECIPIENTS
A. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 021244Z NOV 23/ALCOAST 428/23
1. I am pleased to announce the recipients of the Coast Guard
Full-time and Collateral Duty ESOY Awards and the ISOY Awards.
Our Education Services Officers (ESOs) are a critical component of
the Coast Guard, devoting considerable time and energy towards
helping our workforce set and meet professional and educational
goals. This year's ESOY awards recognize two exceptional ESOs. The
ISOY Award recognizes two students who clearly demonstrated
sustained high standards of academic proficiency and dedication,
served as a role model in off-duty education accomplishments, and
demonstrated the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect, and
devotion to duty. This year's awardees were selected from
nominations submitted per REF (A).
2. The Coast Guard Full-time ESOY Award goes to Dr. Bonnie Kelly,
ESO for Aviation Training Center (ATC) Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Kelly
provided an unprecedented level of support to Coast Guard members.
She processed 451 Tuition Assistance (TA) applications and 52
Credentialing Assistance (CA) applications for 240 individuals.
Furthermore, she administered 95 Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) certification exams, 160 Service Wide Exams, and held 1,528
counseling sessions. Dr. Kelly displayed a staunch commitment to the
professional credentialing of Coast Guard aviators by expanding the
FAA testing program at ATC. Notably, she set a precedent by
successfully petitioning the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance
Technician Certification Council to expand FAA testing services to
Coast Guard Auxiliarists, enabling the training of Auxiliarists as
instructors to stand up the Coast Guard's drone program. Her
personal efforts helped to enhance the Coast Guard's readiness in
the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. Dr. Kelly collaborated with
local schools to customize technical and professional development
offerings with on-base classes. In 2023, 64 members, many with no
college experience, attended classes and earned their first college
credits. Additionally, Dr. Kelly served as the Coast Guard's
representative to DoD's Voluntary Education Professional Development
Institute (PDI). In this capacity, she meticulously orchestrated the
curriculum and annual agenda for all of the military services for
this premiere training and development event for military education
and higher learning professionals.
3. The Coast Guard Collateral Duty ESOY Award goes to Lieutenant
Curt Smith, Coast Guard Cyber Command, Washington, D.C. LT Smith's
passionate commitment to the professional growth of CGCYBER members
is highly evident. In 2023, he assisted 106 members with their
educational pursuits. He authorized 221 TA applications and 173 (CA)
applications. Throughout 2023, LT Smith strengthened educational
relationships with his counterparts at C5I Service Center, and
fostered collaboration with local area educational partners, leading
to increased member involvement in the Partnership In Education
(PIE) Program. He also administered over 60 Service Wide Exams,
2 Deck Watch Officer Exams, solicited officers for 7 interview
boards, helped 8 members apply for direct commissions, and conducted
over 200 individual counseling sessions.
4. There are co-recipients for the 2023 Coast Guard ISOY Award. The
first winner is MST2 James Himes, Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
MST2 Himes graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lake Superior State
University on 8 December 2023. Petty Officer Himes serves as a
Pollution Responder, advancing regional initiatives to bolster oil
spill response capabilities with the ecologically sensitive Straits
of Mackinac Waterway. He was the recipient of the distinguished Amy
Ignatowski Memorial Scholarship Award, named after AMT3 Ignatowski
who was working on earning her wings, at the time of her death. In
his off-duty time, as a tenured USA Hockey official, he also
mentored new hockey referees. MST2 Himes expertly balanced school
obligations, work duties, and community involvement, maintaining the
highest level of excellence throughout.
5. The second winner of the 2023 Coast Guard ISOY Award is
Lieutenant Commander Amy Hockenberry, Training Officer for Aviation
Technical Training Center (ATTC), Elizabeth City, NC. In August
2023, LCDR Hockenberry graduated from Baylor University with a
Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change - an
endeavor culminating over 17 years of distinguished active duty
service. As the ATTC Training Officer, she was a workforce
multiplier, leading career training classes, promoting project
management courses, and enabling others to achieve their
professional and personal goals. For example, under her supervision,
over 60 members earned their Instructor qualification and 4 others
earned their Master Training Specialist (MTS) qualification. Beyond
her academic and work achievements, LCDR Hockenberry's exemplary
leadership was formally recognized by her peers in April 2023, when
she received the prestigious honor of being awarded the title of
Honorary Chief, reflecting the highest regard and respect among her
colleagues.
6. The efforts of Dr. Bonnie Kelly, LT Curt Smith, MST2 Himes, and
LCDR Hockenberry are applauded. The ESOY will be recognized with a
plaque and certificate presented at the annual Council of and
Military Educators. The ISOYs will be recognized with a plaque and
certificate at their home units. BZ!
7. POC: Dr. Donna Duellberg at: Donna.J.Duellberg@uscg.mil or
(202) 475-5486. Please refer to your local ESO for field level
questions.
8. RDML Jeffrey K. Randall, Commander, Force Readiness Command
(FC-C), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.