ALCOAST 263/26 - AUG 2026 SOLLICITATION FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2026 CAPTAIN HOPLEY YEATON CUTTER EXCELLENCE AND SUPERIOR CUTTERMAN AWARDS

R 262156Z AUG 26  MID120041471475U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 263/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SOLLICITATION FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2026 CAPTAIN HOPLEY
YEATON CUTTER EXCELLENCE AND SUPERIOR CUTTERMAN AWARDS
A. Cutter Recognition and Heritage Programs, COMDTINST 1650.20
(series)
1. This ALCOAST solicits nominations for the 2026 Captain Hopley
Yeaton Cutter Excellence and Superior Cutterman Awards. The Captain
Hopley Yeaton Awards honor our legendary sea-going forbearer and
pay tribute to his legacy of resolve and professionalism as the
first commissioned officer of the Revenue Cutter Service.
    a. The Captain Hopley Yeaton Award will recognize three cutter
crews and two Cuttermen. Award categories and criteria for
nomination are outlined in paragraphs 2 and 3.
2. The Captain Hopley Yeaton Cutter Excellence Award.
    a. The Excellence Award will be presented to one large cutter
(399 ft and above), one medium cutter (210 ft to 360 ft), and one
small cutter (175 ft and below).
    b. All cutter crews are eligible, including those in
pre-commissioning or commission-special status.
    c. Cutters recognized for this award will have demonstrated
exceptional performance worthy of special distinction in categories
including:
        (1) Operations and mission accomplishment;
        (2) Commitment to crew and families;
        (3) Cutter training and readiness; and
        (4) Engineering.
3. The Captain Hopley Yeaton Superior Cutterman Award.
    a. The Superior Cutterman Award recognizes one officer and one
enlisted member from across the fleet who best exemplify the
Cutterman spirit and Captain Yeaton's legacy.
    b. Nominees must be Cuttermen (permanent or temporary), and must
have been assigned to a cutter for over half of the award period
(see para 3).
    c. Winners of this award will have demonstrated excellence in
various dimensions, including:
        (1) Contribution to operational success;
        (2) Training and other administrative proficiency;
        (3) Personal leadership and adherence to the Coast Guard's
core values;
        (4) Embodiment of the Cutterman 'can-do' mentality;
        (5) Notable acts such as personal heroism and/or positive,
engagements with the public or professional mariners;
        (6) Proficiency in ship handling, navigation, boat handling,
deck operations, cutter engineering, law enforcement, combat
systems, and/or other professional mariner skills; and
        (7) Attainment of shipboard qualifications beyond normal
expectations.
    d. Note. Superior Cutterman nominations are limited to one
officer and one enlisted per cutter.
4. Award nominations must highlight performance during the period
from 01 OCT 2025 through 31 AUG 2026. Submit nomination
packages by 18 OCT 2026 to LT Foster Graham at
Foster.J.Graham@uscg.mil.
5. More detailed nomination criteria and instructions for
submittal can be found on the COMDT (CG-751) portal page at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser.)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg751/Captain%20Hopley%20
Yeaton%20Awards/Forms/AllItems.aspx?siteid=%7B46332DAE%2DE278%
2D46BD%2DBBB5%2D606F6315E3EB%7D&webid=%7B9983FF9E%2D0FB9%2D45C
2%2D90BD%2DF6B9B7007E1D%7D&uniqueid=%7BCFBEBEB1%2D317C%2D427B%
2DBBDD%2D346AB8C473DC%7D

6. Selection Committee. The selection committee will be
comprised of active-duty officers, enlisted, and retired Cuttermen,
representing all facets of cutter operations, they will review
nominations and make recommendations to the Office of Cutter Forces
(CG-751) for final approval.
7. The 2026 Awards will be presented in Washington, DC in
conjunction with the JAN 2027 Surface Navy Association (SNA)
National Symposium.
    a. If a unit representative is not available to receive the
Cutter Excellence Award at the symposium, the award will be sent
to the winning cutter's OPCON for presentation at a later date.
8. The 2027 Awards. Anticipate the performance timeline for next
years' award to encompass the one-year period of 01 SEP 2026
through 31 AUG 2027, with a subsequent submission deadline to be
01 OCT 2027. This revised period will better support review of
packages to align with annual Surface Navy Association
presentations.
9. POCs.
    a. Primary POC: Direct any questions to LT Foster Graham at
Foster.J.Graham@uscg.mil.
    b. Secondary POC: LT Christina Gonzales at
Christina.M.Gonzales@uscg.mil.
10. CAPT Tobias C. Reid, Director for Capabilities (CG-7), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.