ALCOAST 329/25 - JUL 2025 2024 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR

R 251441Z JUL 25   MID180001872498U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 329/25
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: 2024 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR
1. I am pleased to announce the selection of Auxiliarist Matthew
Thompson of USCG Great Lakes District - Western Region, Flotilla
31-7 in Grand Valley, Michigan as the 2024 Auxiliarist of the Year.
2. Auxiliarist Thompson has proudly served in the Coast Guard
Auxiliary since he enrolled in July 2019. In 2024, he demonstrated
outstanding leadership as Vice Flotilla Commander by keeping fellow
Auxiliarists engaged and mission-ready through creative training and
mentorship. His dedication to recruitment and public outreach was a
defining feature of his service, inspiring others and strengthening
the Auxiliary's community presence.
3. Auxiliarist Thompson achieved the Auxiliary's highest Public
Affairs Specialist qualification levels. He leveraged these
credentials to actively support Coast Guard recruiting initiatives
and serve as Auxiliary Public Affairs Officer for CGC MACKINAW
(WLBB-30), Air Station Detroit, and Sector Field Office Grand Haven.
He skillfully coordinated media coverage for high-profile events
including the 100th Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan
and the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He authored the superb article "Hot Jobs" in the Spring 2024 edition
of the Coast Guard retiree magazine, Long Blue Line, that
attractively advertised the many opportunities available through
Auxiliary service. He conducted valuable outreach missions that
included visits to more than a dozen high schools, three community
colleges, and one university which yielded more than 150 recruiting
leads for Coast Guard recruiting offices.
4. Driven by his devotion to duty and commitment to serve others,
Auxiliarist Thompson also provided vital emergency medical and
preparedness training to Auxiliary boat crews and general
membership. He led CPR certification sessions and "Stop the Bleed"
courses that equipped Auxiliarists with essential skills to control
traumatic bleeding, stabilize patients, and significantly enhance
local Auxiliary readiness to respond to life-threatening
emergencies.
5. I congratulate Auxiliarist Thompson's commitment to the Coast
Guard Auxiliary and for his selection to receive this esteemed
recognition. He will be formally recognized as the 2024 Auxiliarist
of the Year at the Auxiliary National Training Summit in Dallas,
Texas in August 2025.
6. I also commend Auxiliarists Sean McPhillamy of USCG Arctic
District, Flotilla 2-15 in Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska and
Scott Ripley of USCG East District - Southern Region, Flotilla 63 in
Poquoson, Virginia for their selection as honorable mentions and
outstanding performance and achievements.
7. POC: LTJG Kelly Richters, COMDT (CG-BSX-1), at
Kelly.M.Richters@uscg.mil.
8. RADM W. R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.