ALCOAST 383/25 - SEP 2025 EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION

R 101452Z SEP 25   MID180002037777U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 383/25
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST 5700.13A
B. Cutter Recognition and Heritage Programs, COMDTINST 1650.20A
1. On 18 October 1974, the Office of Personnel Management
promulgated the Coast Guard Cutterman Insignia program to
"recognize the contributions and qualifications of our personnel."
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the creation of the
Cutterman Insignia. Since 1790, professional mariners have
manned the deck of our cutters and braved the high seas, Great
Lakes, and inland waterways. Today, we celebrate more than 235
years of our sea-going traditions, currently upheld by more than
8,000 active-duty personnel aboard our 241 cutters.
2. The Coast Guard Office of Cutter Forces (CG-751),
the Heart of the Service, is sponsoring Eight Bells - A Sea
Service Celebration, to recognize the hard work done by all who
serve in the cutter community, including career cuttermen,
cuttermen-to-be, and all shoreside personnel who support Coast
Guard cutters and enable the fleet to operate. Our seagoing
traditions serve as the basis of our Coast Guard culture and unite
the cutter community. While our cutters operate globally in diverse
missions, a new crewmember can report aboard a cutter of any size
or class and be comforted by the shared traditions of the ringing of
eight bells and testing the ship's alarms and whistle at noon,
completing underway checklists, checking the setting of material
condition Yoke, closing the brow at first call to morning and
evening colors, and, of course, coffee break for the crew, among
many others.
3. This year's Eight Bells theme, "Underway as Before, Steaming
into the Future," celebrates the bold advancements of
Force Design 2028, while paying tribute to the enduring seagoing
traditions that define our service.
4. As part of Eight Bells - A Sea Service Celebration, CG-751
encourages all cuttermen, Operational Commanders, and cutter
support elements to participate in the following events:
    a. One-page essay/poem/sea story contest - deadline for
submission is 05 October 2025. All are invited to submit an
original one-page essay, story, or poem, on the theme of
"Underway as Before, Steaming into the Future." Submissions are
encouraged to envision the future of the cutter fleet while drawing
inspiration from the rich history, proud traditions, and invaluable
experience that lie at the core of our service. Submissions have no
format requirement beyond the one-page limit. The poem may rhyme
like a New Year's Day log entry, be free flowing like a body of
water, or even a haiku or two. Pictures and other artwork are also
encouraged if they add value to the essay, poem, or story.
Submissions must include the name of the author, unless unit,
department, or group name applies. Chain-of-command approved
submissions should be sent via email to the two POCs listed in
paragraph 5 below. All submissions should be of good taste and
professional in nature. For more information on this and other
public affairs policies, see REF (A). Do not submit entries
from prior years.
    b. Audio/Video contest - deadline for submission is 05 October
2025. Submit an original audio or video clip of no more than
4 minutes around the theme "Underway as Before, Steaming into the
Future." Submissions may incorporate the actual sounding of
eight bells and sea service traditions, like Cutterman Insignia
Ceremonies. Chain-of-command approved submissions should be sent
via email to the two POCs listed in paragraph 5 below as .mov,
.mp4, .wmv, or .avi formats. All submissions should be of good
taste and professional in nature. For more information on this and
other public affairs policies, see REF (A). Videos will be posted
on social media platforms, so do not use copyrighted music.
Do not submit entries from prior years.
    c. Submissions from paragraphs 4.a and 4.b will be judged by a
panel consisting of representatives from CG-751, Board of Directors
of the Douglas Munro Chapter of the Surface Navy Association, other
illustrious cuttermen, and King Neptune. Entries will be judged on
creativity, quality, and ability to inspire esprit de corps.
    d. The top three winning entries from paragraphs 4.a and 4.b
will be shared via social media platforms, placed on the CG-751
SharePoint page, and shared with Surface Naval Association
Presidents, Rating Force Master Chiefs, and Operational Commanders
for distribution within the cutter community.
    e. Local events: Commands are encouraged to host appropriate
functions that celebrate sea service traditions during the month of
October, particularly on 18 October if possible. Suggestions
include: local Cuttermen Calls, Dinings-in, cutter round-ups with
friendly competitions (DC Olympics, shiphandling challenges, etc.),
and wearing cutter t-shirts. Notify POCs in paragraph 5 below of any
planned events and tag any social media posts with #EightBells and
#SteamingIntoTheFuture.
    f. Headquarters event: CG-751 will host an Eight Bells
Celebration event at CG Headquarters on 16 October 2025 from
1000-1200. All CG Headquarters and interested personnel are invited
to attend. TDY costs will be funded by the member's unit, subject to
availability. Permissive orders are authorized. Interested personnel
must request attendance through their chain-of-command for unit
level approval.
5. POCs: Primary: LT Jackson Carpenter, Jackson.T.Carpenter@uscg.mil
Secondary: LT David Smith, David.G.Smith@uscg.mil.
6. RDML Amy B. Grable, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.