ryanerickson.com :: mixing Coast Guard, social media, and life

The Coast Guard needs to get back on the social media pedestal

Ryan Erickson — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:20:30 +0000

The Coast Guard’s been slowly falling off the radar as a social media user where at one time they were the poster child of government using online social tools.

As one who does a lot of observing of military, specifically Coast Guard, social media I’ve been noticing a huge shift in the use of Facebook from all services and the use of other such mediums. By “Coast Guard” I’m referring to those who run our social media machine; and contrary to popular belief I am not associated with those that run said machine. So as is the case I feel as if I can give a fairly good outside/inside assessment of what’s going on and what should/could be done as a matter of course correction. That is, if one wants to be made.

Have you taken a look at the Coast Guard’s official Facebook page as of late? How about the Commandant’s Fan page? Well in the likely scenario you haven’t let me be the one to tell you that not much is being missed. However, that wasn’t always the case. At the beginning of last summer (2009) the Coast Guard was the subject of Gov 2.0 conferences, Wired articles, and blogs aplenty. Our role in proving that social media could work as a discussion platform was paying dividends in press coverage; and the theory of social media was no longer just a theory but actually being exercised and proving to be of use. In fact it was the Coast Guard who showed the other four services that it CAN work as a public discussion medium. It was during this time our Public Affairs gurus began using Twitter, Facebook, and blogs; there was a lot of hype in the beginning and with said hype there was a lot of interaction with Facebook fans via the official Coast Guard fan page Commandants Fan page. But as I hinted to above- that’s all but history.

The USCG’s page is just pushing blog posts with little or no interaction from ANYONE (anyone being official Coast Guard representatives or the public). However, the Commandants page is a little different; on his page there is quite a bit of interaction but even this interaction is seemingly one way- from the fans in response to posts done on the page. There is a huge chunk of missed opportunity here.

To be fair to our service though we are far from the only ones in this particular predicament- that is- having a social presence without being social. I recently happened upon a great study done by Janson Communications titled MILITARY FACE STUDY (10) (.pdf warning) where they- as the title implies- did a study of military Facebook pages. As it so happens we, not being part of the DoD, were not included in said study; however, reading the study you quickly find the similarities between the studied sites and our own. The most notable similarity of all the sites studied and ours is the lack of interaction between the fans and the service. Regular interaction on the Coast Guard pages between officiated Coasties and fans have all but stopped following a series of attempted proverbial hijackings of the pages by some fans (dare I say trolls). But even before that, as far back as July 2009, the practice of “being social” had been on a steady decline. And though the “honeymoon” of using this medium has clearly passed the Coast Guard has been passing up the chance to be “that” model for the use of social media as a public to military (and back) interaction tool.

So is it possible to reverse course and become king again? You bet we could. It’ll take some work from our Public Affairs types (CG-092) but it can be done. How? Well I’m glad you asked-

First off everyone needs to become familiar with what’s going wrong. Start by checking out the linked report above. This gives several clues as to what we are doing wrong; i.e. citing the fact it’s an “official” page (which ours does), having clear terms of usage, and interaction. It’s clear that the lack of any real “rules” per se lead to the aforementioned hijackings and with a clear set of rules (even I have a disclaimer for which I’ve stuck by thus far) it would have been easy to delete the comments and move on. But take the power of deleting with care; if someone wants to post a credible bad experience with the Coast Guard let ‘em and engage, if need be, off the wall.
Stop with the constant push of the blog feed. Not to say they/we/you/I should stop feeding their blog to Facebook (I do it) but when that’s all there is people tend to run the other way as it’s obvious there is going to be little or no interaction. Look at my fan page- with only a handful of people I don’t see it growing too fast until I’m able to commit to both it and my regular FB page. Post stories and of significance, post “real” thoughts, post “real” experiences.
On the website The Buzz Bin (another MUST read) they’ve taken the time to address Facebook criticism as it pertains to hospitals. Don’t wince yet as they seem to have more in common with the military FB problem than you’d think. Take for instance the first point about criticism; it’s addressed and the answer is the same remain transparent and address what needs to be addressed.
Is anyone inside official channels monitoring SM? Of course they are- I’ve clued you in to the fact that there’s a 24/7 public affairs watch in the LANT Command Center watching Twitter and Facebook (’cause short of CNN- Twitter is the place for “NOW” news). Though they monitor Facebook and/or Twitter there isn’t much for them to digest in terms of the “Coast Guard Social Media Health” since interaction is one way (on the Commandants page) an no-way (on the USCG page). Thus if we’re to insert ourselves (again we as in the Coast Guard) back into the game this would have to become an integral part of the practice both within LANT and at the HQ level where the pages are maintained.

I’ve obviously only listed four items here and there are a lot more to consider but it’s my goal (well rather want as it’s not my call) to get our service back on the map as the service that does use social media to communicate with the public. And though we’re not yet (if ever) allowed to use the tools in the workplace this shouldn’t be the reason we’re not using it. The PA staff can use it, and they SHOULD be using it; though now they need to find someone who’s willing to take on the personal challenge of a mammoth size and be the voice of the Coast Guard in the digital world.

Oh- and if you saw this lastnight sorry as it wasn’t finished…

Thoughts?

VADM Papp’s Nomination Hearing for Commandant finally scheduled

Ryan Erickson — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:19:09 +0000

I’ve had my news feed looking for this for the last few days wondering when it would happen- and this evening as I was looking around I found it! Not sure when they put it on the docket but the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation notes on their public hearing schedule that VADM Robert J. Papp, Jr. is going before a full committee on 18 March 2010 at 1000 (EST). From the site:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following full committee hearing on nominations.
…
Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., to be Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

So now we just kick back and wait until Thursday I guess…

Beware of technology while living in the fishbowl

Ryan Erickson — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:26:38 +0000

I was reading an article about all the hoopla surrounding the former CO of USS Cowpens (and others) and how it may be related to the current norm of living in an ‘everyone’s connected – always connected’ world where access to the internet is almost a given- so far as military personnel are concerned. The end point of the piece found on Wings Over Iraq is that officers (and enlisted to that point) live in a preverbal fishbowl with everyone being connected and willing to post your/our misgivings online at a moments notice.

It makes you wonder if the CO of the Cowpens would have been relived if her subordinates didn’t have, nor leveraged the use of, such technology (if they in fact did so in the first place). Furthermore, will the lifting (eventually) of the social media ban on DoD computer further complicated these types of issues? Think about it- what if a someone caught you in a verbal and/or physical tirade on their cell-phone and posted it, immediately, to a video service such as Vimeo? One could literally go from a screaming lunatic to a viral video star in a matter of minutes. Remember the audio recording of ADM Allen calling into the Headquarters Command Center a few years ago (with the watchstandard not recognizing the voice)? I was in Seattle when I heard it and it was only a few days after it had happened- and I just heard it again about a week ago.

There are, without a doubt, great benefits to using the tools of Web 2.0 but there are also some drawbacks if you’re not policing yourself.

$27.4 billion for USCG’s Deepwater Program… and it’s a good thing

Ryan Erickson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:00:34 +0000

This morning on Defense News the Coast Guard was noted as receiving praise from some Congressional members for the current status of the Deepwater project. You’ll recall that Deepwater is the Coast Guard’s major acquisitions program by which we’re getting new Cutters, small boats, and aircraft. In the past the senior leaders of the service were on the receiving end of some harsh criticism over the handling of the programs and how the money was being spent. The news that seeming revived the praise was that of the minimal cost increase as noted by RADM Ronald Rábago; at the tune of $27,400,000,000 (a little more than $1 billion more than the last report and about $10 billion more than it’s original estimate in 1998) Congressional types such as Rep. Elijah Cumming “praised Rábago and his staff for bringing the Deepwater program under control since the service stood up its own acquisitions department in 2007.”

Though in government nobody should really be surprised that major project like this increase as time goes on… it’s part of the game. So what’s the Coast Guard gotten in return on it’s investment into the major overhaul of assets? Well just last week we were presented with a homecoming of the newest National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) which is the second behind that of the CGC Bertholf. Number three, CGC Stratton, is well on here way being reported as 35% complete already.

Also of note is the acquired HC-144’s, mission ready HC-130J’s, small boats, Rescue 21, HH-60 and HH-65 airframe upgrades, and of course the beginning of our UAV program. Yes, there’s a lot more to the program than just these but from the perspective of the public these are the things we can physically see. For a full (as in very large) list of the Acquisition Directorate (CG-9) projects check out the overview here on their site.

Coast Guard Wallpaper: 14 USCG 89… it’s how things get done

Ryan Erickson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:22:58 +0000

Sean Lawler recently launched a new Coast Guard oriented community site catering to the Law Enforcement aspect of the job- 14USC89.com. The site has gotten nothing but praise and has become a must read resources for those who’ve been looking for information on everything from gear to tactics. And in his traditional fashion of making wallpapers he’s done one up for the MLE community at large. Isn’t it time to replace that boring background with one that’s, well, not so boring?

Check out the site and let me know what you think.

Download:
14USCG89 MLE 800x600 (21)
14USCG89 MLE 1024x768 (25)
14USCG89 MLE 1600x1000 (19)
14USCG89 MLE 1900x1200 (20)

Coast Guard Image: A man with the world on his mind

Ryan Erickson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:04:54 +0000

I found this via the D13 Flickr page and it struck me as somewhat monumental. Looking at this photo of our Commandant, ADM Thad Allen, makes me wonder of the weight that- by way of his position- is upon those shoulders (other than the four stars on his lapel). PO2 Crawford found a great opportunity here to show the rest of us exactly what may be on ADM Allen’s mind with the blurred picture of a globe in the forefront- a great shot I must say. The photo cutline-

SEATTLE- Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard addresses the crew of the Coast Guard polar icebreaker, Polar Star, one of the nation’s two Polar Class icebreakers, at Pier 36 here [Wednesday] afternoon. Allen discussed such topics as the reactivation process of the Polar Star and the importance of Coast Guard and scientific [arctic] ice operations. The primary missions of the Coast Guard’s icebreakers is to provide scientific and logistical support to various U.S. interests in both Polar Regions. Both Polar Star and Polar Sea have been significant contributors to the program which is led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Official U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford.

What is the United States Coast Guard?

Ryan Erickson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:00:17 +0000

What is the United States Coast Guard? Seemingly it’s a simple enough question if you had Google or some resemblance of a nautical history book- but the content of those sources doesn’t quite fit the question I’m asking (or rather stating). The question came about as I was listening to NPR the other day and a comment was being read aloud of which had the simple question of “what is the United States Army…?” The question was actually longer than that but I made my way into the Downtown Tunnel in Portsmouth and the remainder of the question was cut short. So with that short but seemingly direct question I began thinking, from a members perspective, “What is the United States Coast Guard?”

I guess I could/would consider this a job; more precisely I guess it’s more of a lifestyle that pays. The CG, especially in the current state of world affairs, is a job that matters- it matters to me, my family, my shipmates, and my county. The Coast Guard is the single service that is always ready, always in “on” mode; when not conducting real missions we’re preparing for them. Even my current job siting behind a computer screen for 12 hours at a time is real world. Though admittedly I’d much rather be out doing boardings or at the very least working in a Sector Response Department my current job is one that’s needed and it too seems to be in an always “on” status.

The Coast Guard doesn’t rest; as you read this we’ll be searching for someone to rescue and/or getting ready to stop a drug running vessel off the coast of some country somewhere in the world. This service is always doing it’s missions- and that’s is why I joined. In 1998 I left the Army, for the most part, because I got tired of training for nothing. At the time the U.S. was in between the two Gulf Wars so nothing was really happening. At the recommendation of my then girlfriend and now wife I looked into the Coast Guard- as it turned out it was a service that never sleeps and I wanted to join.

So what is the Coast Guard? It’s the part of the government that everyone can count on to get the job done; we can be where we’re needed when needed; we’re a service that takes every mission we’re to conduct seriously; we keep bad people out of this great county; we save the unfortunate; and unfortunately we save the stupid as well. The Coast Guard truly is Semper Paratus- always has been, and always will be.

Photo: http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/st/~pkaplan/index.html

Coast Guard Mandated Training (MT)… hey, it could be worse

Ryan Erickson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:55:18 +0000

The world of ~~General Mandated Training (GMT)~~ Mandated Training (MT) can be a dizzying foray of information to have to process. More oft than not you’ll sit around and ignore the emails from your local training officer telling to make your way to “the portal” and do your mandated training. Only you know for sure you just did it last month (maybe). Well I, by way of a recent ALCOAST (ALCOAST 110/10), am here to lay it all out for you to easily read. There have been A LOT of changes in the realm of MT and not all of them have made their way down to the deckplate for dissemination. And unless you’re like me and spend your entire workday looking at the CGMS board you’re bound to miss something. To start with (and in keeping in order of the message) there are generally three (3) different delivery methods for Mandated Training (MT):

All-Hands Sessions;
Facilitated Resident Instruction; and
eTraining (my fav)

So how do you know what you’re missing? The easiest way is via CGBI; go here to jump into the “My Readiness” area of CGBI. Next click on the “Skills” tab toward the mid-top and you’re presented with a clickable menu (see picture, note mine is 100%); if you click on the “GMT” link you’ll be given a pop-up with your training requirements. And if you’re the lucky one to be the Unit/Department training officer head on over to AOPS and get the printout of the unit’s training. All of the online training can be completed at the CG Learning Portal.

Now that you know what the computer says you need here’s what the message has listed as the actual training you’re required to have:

CAT A (everyone)

A. THE CURRENT REQUIRED MT CATEGORY (A) LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
  COURSE TITLE                                        INTERVAL
  (1) INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY                    ANNUAL
  (2) SUICIDE PREVENTION                              ANNUAL
  (3) SECURITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARENESS       ANNUAL
  (4) PRIVACY AWARENESS                               ANNUAL
  (5) SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION (SEE PARA B)       ANNUAL
  (6) SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION/RESPONSE (SEE PARA B) TRIENNIAL
  (7) HUMAN RELATIONS AWARENESS (SEE PARA C)          TRIENNIAL

The message is below for further clarification.

CAT B (Federal mandated recurrent or one-time training for a specific audience) Most of these can be found on the Learning Portal (link above):

A. THE CURRENT REQUIRED MT CATEGORY (B) LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
  COURSE TITLE                   INTERVAL   AUDIENCE
  (1) CONSTITUTION AND           ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
      CITIZENSHIP DAY
  (2) DHS ORGANIZATIONAL AND     ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
      EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE
  (3) ETHICS TRAINING            ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (4) ICS IS-100                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (5) ICS IS-200                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (6) ICS IS 700                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (7) ICS IS 800                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (8) INFLUENZA TRAINING         ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV/AUX
  (9) SUBSTANCE ABUSE FREE       ANNUAL     ACTIVE/RESERVE
      ENVIRONMENT (SAFE)
  (10) WORKPLACE VIOLENCE        ANNUAL     ACTIVE/SUP OF CIV
  (11) RESERVE MOB/DEMOB         ANNUAL     RESERVE
  (12) UNIFORMED SERVICEMEN      ONCE       SUPERVISOR OF CIV
       EMPLOY/REEMPLOY ACT
  (13) NO FEAR ACT               BIENNIAL   CIV/SUPERVISOR OF CIV
  (14) DHS GOVT TRAVEL CARD      ANNUAL     ALL TRAVEL CARD HOLDERS
  (15) HAZARD COMMUNICATIONS     ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (16) HEARING CONSERVATION      ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (17) HEAT STRESS PROGRAM       ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (18) BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS     ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (19) RESPIRATORY PROTECTION    ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (20) INFLUENZA  ATON           ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (21) INFLUENZA  MEDICAL        ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (22) INFLUENZA  DOG            ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (23) TEAM COORDINATOR TRAIN.   ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (24) FIRST RESPONDER AWARE.    ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION

That might seem like a long list but remember it’s not for everyone. I’ve put the message below here to give you clarification on the caveats. Happy training!

R 082027Z MAR 10

ALCOAST 110/10
COMDTNOTE 1550
SUBJ: UPDATE AND CLARIFICATION OF MANDATED TRAINING (MT)
REQUIREMENTS FOR CY10
A. COMCOGARD FORCECOM ALAMEDA CA 170049Z NOV 09/ALCOAST 658/09
1. THIS MESSAGE PUBLISHES AN UPDATED LIST OF RECURRING MANDATED
TRAINING (MT) REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDES CLARIFICATION ON FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO REF (A). SINCE THE RELEASE
OF REF (A), FORCECOM HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD REDUCING
THE IMPACT OF MT ON THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER BY PROVIDING TEST OUT
OPTIONS, CONSOLIDATION OF COURSES WITH SIMILAR OBJECTIVES, AND
REMOVAL OF COURSES WITH INSUFFICIENT DOCUMENTATION OF A TRAINING
MANDATE. A FEW MANDATED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
IN THE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF REF (A), SUCH AS THE
ADDITION OF THE DHS EMPLOYEE AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE PROGRAM
AND DHS GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD TRAINING COURSE.  THE HUMAN
RELATIONS AWARENESS COURSE REMAINS MANDATORY BUT WAS OMITTED FROM
REF (A).
2. COAST GUARD MANDATED TRAINING IS COMPRISED OF TWO DISTINCT
CATEGORIES: A AND B.
 A. MT CATEGORY (A) INCLUDES MANDATED RECURRENT TRAINING THAT
AFFECTS ALL COAST GUARD MEMBERS - ACTIVE DUTY, CIVILIAN AND
RESERVE.
 B. MT CATEGORY (B) INCLUDES RECURRENT OR ONE-TIME MANDATED
TRAINING WITH A SPECIFIC TARGET AUDIENCE EXPLICITLY IDENTIFIED IN
AUTHORITATIVE DOCUMENTATION. MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MAY BE
REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AS DIRECTED BY THEIR
PROGRAM DIRECTORATE.
 C. NOTE: UNION NOTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR ALL MANDATED
TRAINING AFFECTING CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES. CONTRACTORS WILL NOT BE
REQUIRED TO ATTEND TRAINING UNLESS SPECIFIED IN AUTHORITATIVE
DOCUMENTATION OR SPECIFIED IN STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) FOR A GIVEN
PROJECT, PER FEDERAL ACQUISITION RULES.
3. MANDATED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS MAY BE SATISFIED IN SEVERAL WAYS:
ALL-HANDS SESSIONS, E-LEARNING, AND FACILITATED RESIDENT
INSTRUCTION. ONLINE DELIVERY REMAINS THE PREFERRED AND MOST COST-
EFFECTIVE MODE FOR DELIVERING MANDATED TRAINING TO OUR DISPERSED
WORKFORCE. IN OFFLINE INSTANCES, UNIT TRAINING OFFICERS SHALL
RECORD INDIVIDUAL COMPLETION INTO THE TRAINING MANAGEMENT TOOL
(TMT) LOCATED AT HTTP://AOPS.OSC.USCG.MIL. FOR THOSE COURSES TAKEN
AND ASSESSED ONLINE, COMPLETION WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE RECORDED INTO
TMT AND THEN TO CGBI WITHIN 48 HOURS.
4. CURRENT APPROVED TRAINING TOPICS ARE SUMMARIZED IN THIS MESSAGE
TO ASSIST COMMANDING OFFICERS AND UNIT TRAINING OFFICERS WITH
ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING PLAN. THIS LIST
ADDRESSES SERVICEWIDE MT REQUIREMENTS, COMPONENT-WIDE MT
REQUIREMENTS, AND MISSION/UNIT SPECIFIC MANDATED TRAINING. COAST
GUARD DIRECTORATES AND FORCECOM CONDUCT PERIODIC REVIEWS OF
ORGANIZATIONAL-LEVEL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. AS NEW COURSES ARE
ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE MANDATED TRAINING LIST, THE REVISED
STATUS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://CGPORTAL.USCG.MIL/ UNDER THE
TRAINING AND EDUCATION TAB. ADDITIONALLY, FORCECOM WILL CONTINUE TO
PUBLISH BIENNIAL MESSAGES WITH CHANGES TO THE MT PROGRAM THAT
IMPACT THE COAST GUARD WORKFORCE.
5. MANDATED TRAINING - CATEGORY (A): MANDATED RECURRENT TRAINING
FOR ALL MEMBERS.
 A. THE CURRENT REQUIRED MT CATEGORY (A) LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
  COURSE TITLE                                        INTERVAL
  (1) INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY                    ANNUAL
  (2) SUICIDE PREVENTION                              ANNUAL
  (3) SECURITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARENESS       ANNUAL
  (4) PRIVACY AWARENESS                               ANNUAL
  (5) SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION (SEE PARA B)       ANNUAL
  (6) SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION/RESPONSE (SEE PARA B) TRIENNIAL
  (7) HUMAN RELATIONS AWARENESS (SEE PARA C)          TRIENNIAL
 B. SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
PREVENTION/RESPONSE ARE SEPARATE COURSES. THE LEGACY VERSION OF
SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION (SHP) REMAINS ONLINE. CURRENTLY,
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION/RESPONSE (SAPR) REQUIREMENTS CAN BE MET
BY PARTICIPATING IN A SAPR PRESENTATION GIVEN BY A QUALIFIED
FACILITATOR. UNIT TRAINING OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SCHEDULE SAPR
TRAINING FOR THEIR UNIT BY CONTACTING THEIR LOCAL EMPLOYEE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM COORDINATOR (EAPC). SEE

HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/WORKLIFE/RAPE(UNDERSCORE)SEXUAL(UNDERSCORE)

ASSAULT.ASP FOR MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE SAPR PROGRAM.
 C. HUMAN RELATIONS AWARENESS WAS RECENTLY RETURNED TO THE MT (A)
LIST, THOUGH THIS COURSE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN AN ONLINE
FORMAT. UNITS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK FACILITATED OFFLINE TRAINING
OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE THIS REQUIREMENT. SEE
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/CG00/CG00H/TRAININGSUITE/HRATRAINING.ASP FOR
GUIDANCE ON THE HRA TRAINING PROGRAM.
6. MANDATED TRAINING - CATEGORY (B): FEDERALLY MANDATED RECURRENT
OR ONE-TIME TRAINING WITH A SPECIFIED TARGET AUDIENCE IN THE
AUTHORITATIVE DOCUMENT. COMMANDING OFFICERS, TRAINING OFFICERS, AND
SUPERVISORS MUST COMPARE MISSION, UNIT, AND OPERATIONAL DUTIES OF
ASSIGNED PERSONNEL WITH THE SPECIFIC TARGET AUDIENCE AS OUTLINED
BELOW OR IN THE AUTHORITATIVE DOCUMENTATION. THIS LIST IS NOT ALL-
INCLUSIVE AND CHANGES FREQUENTLY BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE,
AGENCY, AND DEPARTMENT. AS MANDATED TRAINING COURSES ARE APPROVED,
THEY WILL BE PROMULGATED VIA CG PORTAL, ALCOAST, AND/OR CGBI.
 A. THE CURRENT REQUIRED MT CATEGORY (B) LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
  COURSE TITLE                   INTERVAL   AUDIENCE
  (1) CONSTITUTION AND           ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
      CITIZENSHIP DAY
  (2) DHS ORGANIZATIONAL AND     ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
      EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE
  (3) ETHICS TRAINING            ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (4) ICS IS-100                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (5) ICS IS-200                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (6) ICS IS 700                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (7) ICS IS 800                 ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV
  (8) INFLUENZA TRAINING         ONCE       ACTIVE/RES/CIV/AUX
  (9) SUBSTANCE ABUSE FREE       ANNUAL     ACTIVE/RESERVE
      ENVIRONMENT (SAFE)
  (10) WORKPLACE VIOLENCE        ANNUAL     ACTIVE/SUP OF CIV
  (11) RESERVE MOB/DEMOB         ANNUAL     RESERVE
  (12) UNIFORMED SERVICEMEN      ONCE       SUPERVISOR OF CIV
       EMPLOY/REEMPLOY ACT
  (13) NO FEAR ACT               BIENNIAL   CIV/SUPERVISOR OF CIV
  (14) DHS GOVT TRAVEL CARD      ANNUAL     ALL TRAVEL CARD HOLDERS
  (15) HAZARD COMMUNICATIONS     ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (16) HEARING CONSERVATION      ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (17) HEAT STRESS PROGRAM       ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (18) BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS     ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (19) RESPIRATORY PROTECTION    ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (20) INFLUENZA  ATON          ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (21) INFLUENZA  MEDICAL       ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (22) INFLUENZA  DOG           ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (23) TEAM COORDINATOR TRAIN.   ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
  (24) FIRST RESPONDER AWARE.    ANNUAL     AS REQ FOR POSITION
7. CG PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO A NON-CG UNIT MUST SATISFY MT
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH THE COAST GUARD AND THE HOST AGENCY.
MEMBERS DESIRING TO TRACK HOST AGENCY MT COURSE WORK SHOULD PROVIDE
COMPLETION CERTIFICATES OR OTHER PROOF OF ACCOMPLISHMENT TO THEIR
CG SERVICING PERSONNEL OFFICE (SPO) FOR RECORD KEEPING PURPOSES.
8. COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE UNIT
TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDE ALL APPLICABLE TOPICS OUTLINED IN THIS
MESSAGE. COMMANDING OFFICERS AND UNIT TRAINING
OFFICERS ARE NOW ABLE TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUAL/UNIT STATUS IN CGBI
REPORTS AVAILABLE AT HTTP://CGBI.OSC.USCG.MIL/. ALL USERS SHOULD
USE CGBI TO VALIDATE THEIR MT COURSE COMPLETION STATUS FOR CY10.
9. FUTURE MT EXPECTATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED EACH JANUARY AND JULY
VIA ALCOAST. IN ADDITION, UPDATED MT REQUIREMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE
IN TRAINING CATALOGS LOCATED ON THE CG PORTAL UNDER THE TRAINING
AND EDUCATION TAB (HTTPS://CGPORTAL.USCG.MIL). QUESTIONS/CONCERNS
REGARDING MT RELATED COURSE CONTENT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE
SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM MANAGER. GENERAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO MT AND
CONCERNS OR IDEAS FOR IMPROVING THE LEARNING PORTAL AND THE
TRAINING AND EDUCATION TAB OF CG PORTAL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO DR.
CHRISTOPHER SLATER, FORCECOM (FC-51 STAFF) AT (202) 475-5502.
10. RADM T. S. SULLIVAN, COMMANDER, FORCE READINESS COMMAND, SENDS.
11. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

Are you a runner and in the Coast Guard? Then make your way to RunUSCG.org!

Ryan Erickson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:02:29 +0000

Some of the most dedicated health nuts I’ve come across are fellow Coasties who’ve, for all intensive purposes, put me to shame in the “always on” physical fitness mode (i.e. cross fit). For some of the other fitness folks out there, the ones who enjoy running (’cause let’s face it, cross fitters are in a world of their own) I’ve found a great site for you.

Though admittedly I think I’ve posted this find once before for the life of me I can’t find it. So with that in mind I bring you a place to go as a Coastie runner: RUNUSCG.org. In a nutshell it’s a central site with a goal to “get as many Coast Guard employees as possible running and competing under the Coast Guard banner.” And who’s a sponsor of RUNUSCG? None other than your Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) program (though I’m sure they’ll take more if you’re interested). The organization (it’s more than just a site) is run by fellow Coasties as well; LT Ken Burgess, ENS Jason Scott, and LT Charlie Epperson are listed as the board members.

So if you’re looking to run with some Coast Guard pride, or perhaps a some new workouts, or a forum (they have one of those too) to discuss running as a Coastie be sure to check out the site.

Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Ryan Erickson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:09:02 +0000

On February 25th, 2010 the Associated Press released a piece by Eileen Sullivan titled Coast Guard pick wants to refine homeland mission; a piece based on a leaked memo authored by the USCG’s perspective Commandant VADM Robert J. Papp Jr. As a reminder VADM Papp is slated, upon confirmation any day now, to take the seat as the Coast Guard’s 24th Commandant replacing ADM Thad Allen in May 2010.

Since it was released I’ve had ample time to digest the several articles and blog posts stemming from the AP story and associated memo (marked ‘Sensitive – For Internal Coast Guard Use Only’). There’s also been quite a bit of offline discussions on the subject both in and out of work.

However, no matter where those conversations start my thoughts end up right where they were on the early morning hours of February 25th when the story hit the wire- pissed off. I’ll admit at first I was upset with the author who wrote the piece but after further thought I realized if anyone should have your/my anger directed towards them it should be the individual who- for all intensive purposes- betrayed the trust of our organization. Sure “leaking” information is part of the American political culture but when it comes to the American Military culture it’s this guys opinion that you’re hurting your own.

Personally I could care less of the content of the memo (it’s easy to find) as it’s not my place to pass judgment- I don’t know the whole picture. But when someone turns on the faucet of letting internal information slip from their control where does it stop? One can safely argue that this memo leak didn’t sink any of our ships but if something like this, something that I suspect was entrusted to our senior leaders and staff in the Coast Guard and DHS, works its way out of an office how do we, members of the USCG family, known that the leaker(s) won’t leak items of a higher interest or classification? I’m not talking about the Aldrich Ames’ of the world (I hope) but none the less it hurt me.

I guess you could also consider this a norm on the Hill and consider me being worried for no reason- but none the less I am. I may also be a tad too sensitive on the issue of anything Coast Guard related but that’s the result of having such passion for this organization; a passion that further reaches to my love of writing about it…

/end rant

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?