ALCOAST 239/26 - JUL 2026 NOMINATION SOLICITATION FOR 2026 COAST GUARD PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION (PIE) AWARDS

R 311510Z JUL 26  MID320018839375U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 239/26
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: NOMINATION SOLICITATION FOR 2026 COAST GUARD PARTNERSHIP IN
EDUCATION (PIE) AWARDS
A. U.S. Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST 5350.4E
1. This ALCOAST per REF (A) solicits nominations from across the
Coast Guard for the Partnership In Education (PIE) Awards; six
awards are available for nomination of active-duty, reserve,
auxiliary, and civilian members. All Coast Guard units with active
PIE programs are encouraged to submit nominations for one or more of
the following PIE Award categories:
    a. Best Unit Partnership, Large (units of 100+ personnel); units
that worked independently to support one or more schools or other
community-based organizations.
    b. Best Unit Partnership, Small (units of <100 personnel); units
that worked independently to support one or more schools or
other community-based organizations.
    c. Best Collaborative Partnership, Large (units of 100+
personnel); units that worked with one or more community-based
organizations or other Coast Guard units to support one or more
schools or other community-based organizations.
    d. Best Collaborative Partnership, Small (units of <100
personnel); units that worked with one or more community-based
organizations or other Coast Guard units to support one or more
schools or other community-based organizations.
    e. PIE Coordinator of the Year (individual); a PIE Coordinator
who established, sustained, or expanded high quality education
partnerships.
    f. Sustained Excellence in Coast Guard PIE (unit or individual);
(volunteer, coordinator, or leader) with at least three years of
consecutive involvement in the PIE Program.
2. Awards Period. Nominations cover the period of:
    a. 01 AUG 25 through 31 JUL 26; a. through e. above.
    b. 01 AUG 23 through 31 JUL 26; f. above.
3. Award Criteria. All nominations will be evaluated based on the
achievement of the following criteria:
    a. Establishment, sustainment, or expansion of a local PIE
Program with significant positive impacts on students, schools,
local communities, and the Coast Guard.
    b. Expansion in the type, magnitude, and impact of local PIE
Program activities resulting from increased participation of
volunteers from supporting Coast Guard units (including Reserve
and Auxiliary units).
    c. Expansion in the type, magnitude, and impact of local PIE
Program activities resulting from increased collaboration with
internal and external Coast Guard partners (Recruiting Offices,
CGJROTC, Coast Guard Public Affairs, NAMEPA).
    d. Expansion of a PIE Program through the demonstrated actions,
leadership, and commitment of a Coast Guard unit's PIE Coordinator.
    e. Overcoming challenges faced by a local PIE Program, such as
limited staff and other resources, competing mission
responsibilities, personnel transitions, or changes affecting
students and schools or other partners.
4. Submission Deadline. Nominations must be submitted
electronically to the POC in paragraph 8, NLT 28 AUG 26.
5. Submission Packets. Forwarding packets must include the
following:
    a. Award Category with a one-page, 12 font, single-spaced
narrative in a Microsoft Word Document specifically describing
the accomplishments for which the unit or individual is nominated.
    b. A signed cover memo from Commanding Officer/Officer in Charge
(CO/OIC) containing the following:
       (1) Award Category Identification. See paragraph 1.
       (2) Unit name, operating facility (OPFAC) number, and address.
       (3) PIE Coordinator full name, work email, and phone number.
       (4) Supporting units such as Coast Guard recruiting offices,
and/or reserve, auxiliary, etc. include POCs with address, email,
and phone number.
       (5) Partner school and other community-based organization
names with POCs, including email, phone number, and address.
       (6) Total number of partner events or activities supported by
Coast Guard units during the award nomination period. See paragraph
2 above.
       (7) Total number of volunteer engagements during the award
nomination period. (For example: two volunteers engaged in 10 events
or activities, results were 20 volunteer engagements.)
       (8) Total number of hours volunteered during nomination
period.
       (9) Number of student engagements by pre-kindergarten,
elementary school, middle school, high school, and college. (For
example: 30 elementary; 60 middle school; 20 college students).
       (10) Name and rank/rate/grade of Executive Officer, Executive
Petty Officer, or Executive Administrator as applicable.
6. Other Nomination Process Details.
    a. Multiple Nomination Process. Units and individuals competing
for multiple awards must submit separate nomination packets for each
category.
    b. The Nomination of a unit CO/OIC must be endorsed by the next
level in the unit's chain of command.
    c. If all activities have been properly registered, the PIE
Program SharePoint site will provide metrics to support the packet
submissions.
7. Visit the following website to learn more about the Coast Guard
PIE Program, recent PIE Award winners, and how to initiate a local
PIE Program:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/Partnership-in-
Education-Program/

8. POC. Mr. Edward Stoker, COMDT (CG-00H) at
Edward.A.Stoker@uscg.mil.
9. Scott F. Lanum, SES, Director, Civil Rights Directorate (CG-00H),
sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.