ALCOAST 135/25 - MAR 2025 SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2024 JOHN J. JASKOT GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 241053Z MAR 25   MID120001813391U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 135/25
SSIC 1738
SUBJ: SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2024 JOHN J. JASKOT
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. The Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs (CG-0921)
is seeking nominations for the 2024 "John J. Jaskot Governmental
Affairs Officer of the Year Award." Field GAOs are critical
to advancing the Commandant's Strategic Intent by executing
Congressional engagements and building professional relationships.
This award recognizes and rewards those who have excelled in
executing GAO responsibilities during calendar year 2024, and
is named in honor of CDR John J. (J.J.) Jaskot (1954-2020).
CDR Jaskot graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1976 and
proudly served on active duty for 20 years, including service afloat
and as a judge advocate, two tours in Congressional Affairs, and a
deployment to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War, earning
the Combat Action Ribbon. CDR Jaskot's final tour was as the Coast
Guard's Liaison to the U.S. Senate, where he set the standard for
representing the Coast Guard to Congress. After his retirement in
1996, he remained active in the Congressional and Governmental
Affairs network, serving as a good friend and mentor to countless
personnel.
2. Background. The Coast Guard employs full-time and collateral duty
GAOs at the Area, District and unit levels. In some cases, the GAO
may also be the Public Affairs Officer (PAO), or the External
Affairs Officer (EAO). GAOs are responsible for assisting the
Commander with overseeing and coordinating outreach within their
area of responsibility (AOR). GAOs are responsible for educating and
informing stakeholders regarding local operations, planning/
coordinating outreach efforts with federal, state, local, tribal,
community and industry leaders, overseeing external and internal
relationship building, managing engagement preparation and
follow-up documentation, ensuring consistent and unified CG
messaging, and guiding, as needed, units within their AOR with
outreach. A key GAO function is to develop professional
relationships and build trust with the state/district staff of
Members of Congress in their AOR. These relationships are vital
to keeping Congress informed of the Coast Guard's activities, and
providing an established link if they have questions or concerns.
3. Award Eligibility Requirements. Active duty, civilian, reserve,
and auxiliary members assigned GAO responsibilities full-time or as
a collateral duty are eligible.
4. Procedures. Nominations should outline the GAO's key engagements,
major accomplishments, and mission impacts during CY2024. They must
be in memo format addressed to COMDT (CG-0921), endorsed by the
first O6 in the chain of command, and limited to one page.
All nominations must be emailed to POC below by COB 30 April 2025.
The award recipient will be announced in May.
5. Please direct all submissions and any questions to
COMDT (CG-0921) Mr. Patrick McDonough, Patrick.E.McDonough@uscg.mil.
6. RDML W. E. Watson, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs
(CG-092), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.