ALCOAST 064/26 - FEB 2026 SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2025 JOHN J. JASKOT GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (GAO) OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 231717Z FEB 26   MID120041049751U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 064/26
SSIC 1738
SUBJ: SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2025 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 2025 "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 2025, 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 CY2025. 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 COMDT (CG-0921), POC Patrick
McDonough at Patrick.E.McDonough@uscg.mil by COB 27 March 2026.
The award recipient will be announced in March.
5. Please direct any questions to Patrick McDonough at
COMDT (CG-0921) email: Patrick.E.McDonough@uscg.mil.
6. Ms. Jennifer Plozai, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs
(CG-092), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.