ALCOAST 488/25 - DEC 2025 SOLICITATION FOR THE 2025 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 082022Z DEC 25 MID120038455905U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 488/25
SSIC 1754
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR THE 2025 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF
THE YEAR AWARD
A. Ombudsman Program, COMDTINST 1750.4F
1. COMDT (CG-WFS) is soliciting nominations for the 2025 Wanda
Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year Award. Ombudsmen are trained
volunteers that are vital to Coast Guard readiness and mission
execution. As members of the command team, Ombudsmen assist and
advise unit leadership on the needs and challenges of Coast Guard
families.
2. This award recognizes the unit ombudsman who has made the most
significant contribution to supporting Coast Guard families and
units since the last award. To be eligible, an ombudsman must:
     a. Have served as an ombudsman for at least one year at the
nominating command by 31 December 2025. Their service must have
started on or before 31 December 2024. If the ombudsman serves more
than one unit only one nomination package will be accepted. The
submitting command should solicit amplifying information from the
other commands served.
     b. Be registered and assigned in the Coast Guard Ombudsman
Registry.
     c. Have successfully completed in person or virtual Coast Guard
Ombudsman Training (CGOT).
     d. Have completed Information Technology Security Awareness
training and Protecting Personal Information training per REF (A).
     e. Be compliant with monthly worksheets per REF (A).
3. Nomination packages shall contain the following information:
     a. Nominations will be made using a standard CG Memorandum not
to exceed two pages.
     b. Nominations should reflect how the unit ombudsman has
demonstrated the following:
         (1) Strengthened connections between families and the command,
         (2) Served as a reliable source of preparation, assistance,
and support to Coast Guard families during times of local or
national emergency, mobilization, deployment, evacuation, or other
significant event or crisis,
         (3) Assisted in identifying family support needs and provided
appropriate information regarding referral services,
         (4) Promoted a healthy sense of community for the families and
Command,
         (5) Exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, and
         (6) Completed other noteworthy special acts, projects, or
accomplishments in support of their families, unit, and the
Coast Guard.
4. Units within the geographic boundaries of a District must submit
nominations to their Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinator (AROC) by
23 January 2026. Information, nomination criteria, and required
documents for the District levels are outlined at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ombudsman/OOY

5. Area ROCs are responsible for:
     a. Reviewing nomination packages for alignment with policy.
     b. Screening nominations for eligibility and Ombudsman Program
compliance.
     c. Forwarding all packages to the appropriate District Command
Master Chief by 13 February 2026 for a panel selection of each
District Ombudsman of the Year.
     d. Forwarding District nominations to COMDT (CG-WFS-2).
6. Each District nomination package must be received at
COMDT (CG-WFS-2) by COB 06 March 2026 and must include:
     a. The District Commander's endorsement indicating that all
eligibility requirements and selection criteria have been met.
     b. The nomination, which addresses the selection criteria in
Paragraph 3.
     c. Biographical information to include the spouse and family.
     d. Draft award citation.
7. A Coast Guard Headquarters selection panel will review
District nominations and provide a recommendation to the Commandant
for approval of the 2025 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year
selection.
8. Detailed logistical information regarding the award presentation
will be provided in separate correspondence after selections are
made.
9. The POC for Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year award is
Ms. Rose Neel, Chief, Office of Support Services, COMDT (CG-WFS-2),
Rose.Neel@uscg.mil, (202) 475-5157.
10. The POCs for District nominations are Ms. Lori Gordy, Atlantic
Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinator, Lori.A.Gordy@uscg.mil,
(571) 607-3858, and Mr. Ryan Fahlenkamp, Pacific Area Regional
Ombudsman Coordinator, Ryan.J.Fahlenkamp2@uscg.mil, (571) 610-5264.
11. RDML Shane C. Steiner, Acting Assistant Commandant for Workforce
and Family Services (CG-WFS), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.