ALCOAST 397/24 - OCT 2024 2025 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SECRETARY'S AWARDS REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS

R 172030Z OCT 24 MID120001471613U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 397/24
SSIC 12451
SUBJ: 2025 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SECRETARY'S AWARDS
REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS
A. Honorary Awards, DHS Directive 255-01-001
B. Coast Guard Civilian Awards Manual, COMDTINST M12451.1C
C. Invitational Travel Authorizations, COMDTINST 12570.3H
1. The Coast Guard is now accepting nominations for the 2025 DHS
Secretary's Awards in accordance with REFs (A) and (B). The
Secretary will honor individual and collective achievements
across DHS that occurred during the period of 02 September 2023
through 01 September 2024. Nomination packages are due to the Coast
Guard by 08 November 2024 at 23:59 eastern time. DHS will make
selections in CY 2025. USCG submission instructions are in
paragraphs 4 and 5.
2. Nominations are solicited for the following categories:
    a. Exceptional Service Award (Gold Medal);
    b. Secretary's Meritorious Service (Silver Medal);
    c. Secretary's Award for Valor;
    d. Secretary's Award for Leadership Excellence (Team and
Individual);
    e. Secretary's Award for Innovation;
    f. Secretary's Award for Team Excellence;
    g. Secretary's Champion of Equity Award; and
    h. Secretary's Award for Volunteer Service.
3. Eligibility: Commands are encouraged to recognize military
members and civilian employees, including Non-Appropriated Fund
(NAF) employees, not previously honored with Secretarial awards.
Nominees, individuals, and teams must be deserving of the highest
recognition, having made extraordinary contributions to Coast Guard
and/or DHS as a whole. These awards are not intended to honor
retirees or contractors. Nominations may not be submitted for
individuals/teams whose accomplishments are pending final action or
involve a pending investigation. An individual can only be nominated
for one award (individual or team, one award category). Teams are
limited to 15 members. DHS encourages recognition of field and
operational personnel and teams.
4. Nomination packages must be submitted via the new automated USCG
DHS S1 Submission Form and have all applicable documents uploaded:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/BMN3qKy6Yp

    a. Nomination packages must contain:
        i. A completed Nomination Form: Secretarial Awards, DHS Form
3100-1 (version 8/21) - current version of form must be used.
        ii. If the nomination is for a team, a completed 2025 USCG -
DHS Secretary's Annual Awards Team Member List (Excel file) is
required. Information on the form must be complete and accurate for
all team members. Team members are limited to 15 and should include
only those employees/members who personally and significantly
contributed to the project/event. Exceptions to team size limits
must be coordinated with COMDT (CG-1C4). If a team member is from
outside of Coast Guard, concurrence from the nominee's component is
required on a separate form (External Component Nomination
Concurrence Sheet). The current version of this team member list
must be used.
        iii. A completed Coast Guard Award Recommendation Form,
CG-1650 (version 02/20). The CG-1650 must be endorsed by the first
level Flag Officer/SES in the chain of command. Block 19.3 and
Block 20 must be left blank. The current version of this form must
be used.
    b. The 2025 DHS award categories, Coast Guard nomination
instructions, and required forms are available:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg1214/cg-124/SitePages/
Honorary-Awards---DHS.aspx

5. All nominations must be received by COMDT (CG-1C4) via online
automated submission form, no later than 08 November 2024 at 23:59
eastern time. Extensions will not be granted. Incomplete submissions
will not be accepted.
6. You are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of this
opportunity to nominate deserving military members and civilian
employees for recognition in the appropriate award categories above.
DHS strongly encourages recognizing employees and teams across the
country and world. The Civilian Awards Review Board will function as
an advisor to the Commandant, review nominations for approval, and
then forward to DHS for final consideration. The Board's
representation includes both military and civilian members.
7. Nominating commands must be prepared to fund and arrange travel
for award recipients selected to attend a regional ceremony held by
DHS at various locations to be announced in 2025. Nominating
commands are hereby authorized, at your discretion, to fund and
issue invitational and/or permissive travel orders IAW REF (C).
8. POC: Contact the COMDT (CG-1C4) Civilian Awards Team at
DHSAwardsSubmissions@uscg.mil for assistance.
9. Mr. Ryan M. Smith, Acting Assistant Commandant for Civilian
Personnel (CG-1C), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.