NORTHWIND - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF D11N Volume 21, Issue 4. Submit the article to me at: Greetings to our Coast Guard Family

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1 NORTHWIND - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF D11N NORTHWIND Official Newsletter of District 11 Northern NOVEMBER 2015 IN THIS ISSUE COMO RICH THOMAS District Commodore, D11N One of the goals the National Commodore Mark Simoni has requested this year is to have more contact and interaction with the Coast Guard. One of the steps I took is submitting two or three articles each year to the Coast Guard Public Affairs office, asking to have the articles put into the Coast Guard publication for District Eleven. Below is a recent article I submitted. I am reaching out to all our Auxiliary members of D11 North and invite anyone to provide interesting articles that we might be able to utilize regarding our connections with the Coast Guard. Submit the article to me at: rthomas123@mchsi.com Greetings to our Coast Guard Family Over the years I have been amazed how many Coast Guard personnel have little information regarding the Coast Guard Auxiliary. I am grateful to be able to shed some light on our organization. The Coast Guard Auxiliary originated in 1939 and originally was called the Coast Guard Reserves. The organization was recognized by the US Congress. In 1941 the Coast Guard redesignated the organization to become the Auxiliary. During World War II the Auxiliary played a major role doing coast patrols and assisting in several war-time functions. (Continued on page 2) DISTRICT COMMODORE Page 1 DCAPT SUPPORT & PLANNING Page 3 COXSWAIN INCAPACITY SCENARIO Page 4 D11N REGIONAL HONOR GUARD Page 5 BUSINESS CARD GUIDELINES Page 6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Page 8 D11N NORTHWIND NEWSLETTER TEAM Cecil Claspell Curtis Han Roger Bazeley Victor Beelik DSO-PB ADSO-PB (Deputy) ADSO-PB ADSO-PB

2 2 (COMO Thomas Continued from page 1) In modern day history the Auxiliary has been directed by the Commandant to concentrate on Recreational Boating Safety (RBS). The primary functions of our RBS program are: Public Boating Safety Classes Marine Dealers Program Visitations Public Vessel Examinations Safety Patrols Our Local District is 11 North with primary areas of operation being Utah, Nevada, and from approximately Monterey to the Oregon border. Nationwide, the Auxiliary puts in over 4 million hours of volunteer time and our D 11 North district typically averages approximately 200,000 volunteer hours per year. Over the years the Coast Guard has utilized the Auxiliary to augment many different positions that effectively increase the productivity of the mission. Some of these augmentation duties include but are not limited to: Watch-Standers Fuel Recirculation Team Ferry Boat Audit Program Food Service Specialist Joint training exercises Ombudsmen Support Pacific Strike Team Aux Air Patrols Incident Command Team Aids to Navigation Group Interpreters Inspected Commercial Vessels Foreign Flagged Vessel Domestic Vessels (i.e. T-Boat, K-Boat, Passenger, Cargo, Tanker) Uninspected Vessel Activities Uninspected Passenger Vessels Uninspected Tow Vessels Commercial Fishing Vessels Port and Facility Activities Container Inspections Marine Safety oriented MOM Patrols Regional Exam Center Support Prevention Outreach America's Waterway Watch Sea Partners There are several other categories that we backfill when requested by the Coast Guard. Additionally, we have a skills bank available from Accountants to Zoning Specialist and every letter in between. So the next time you might have a small plumbing or electrical problem, check with us and see if we have someone that can help you out. Or for any other needs give us a call. Sector San Francisco area contact: Commodore Vic Connell (vconnell@sbcglobal.net) Sector Humboldt area contact: Carl Pierce (carl@carljpierce.com) All other areas contact: Wally Smith - Chief of Staff: wscgaux@gmail Rich Thomas - Commodore: rthomas123@mchsi.com We also have many Auxiliary members who have some direct connection with the Coast Guard as family members. A few of our connections are: Ray Golub has a brother Howard who is a CWO3 in the Coast Guard. Helen Crump is active in the Aux Food Service group and has a daughter Lt. Helen J Crump serving in the Coast Guard. Michelle Coleman is a Flotilla Staff Officer as Secretary of Records and her husband Robert is a Chief Petty Officer. Randy McCormick is a current Division Vice- Commander and his son Mason is an ITo3. Charles Knapper is a Flotilla Staff Officer of Finance and a qualified vessel examiner and he is the father of OS3 Adam Knapper.

3 3 Richard Celia is an immediate past Division Commander and his son is Geoffrey Ceilia GM3 Coast Guard Wally Smith is the current District 11 North Chief of Staff with his grandson MK Adrian Lopez-Smith. Jerry Gilmore is currently a Division Vice-Commander and has two sons in the Coast Guard, both are pilots: Lt. Scott Gilmore and Lt. Casey Gilmore For more information check our District Eleven North Website: Submitted by Richard Thomas US Coast Guard Auxiliary 11 North District Commodore SEAN SHEEHAN DCAPT Support and Planning an agreeable team working on leadership issues. One part of the training involved working through a series of scenarios involving elected leaders dealing with members violating rules. In one of these scenarios, a possible response presented on the screen was the leader planning to confront a member. This was where it really got interesting. The class discussion rapidly turned from the scenario to the choice of the word confront. Some objected to the use of confront as unnecessarily hostile for counseling. Others countered strongly that that was exactly what a leader needs to do: confront misconduct. Richard Thomas is the current District Commodore for District 11 North with his son BM1 Rich Thomas Jr. The members of the Auxiliary are the civil arm of the Coast Guard and our volunteers are eager to assist our Coast Guard Family. While attending an excellent training event this year I experienced an unintended lesson in communication and civility that I would like to share. The room was filled with Auxiliary members having a variety of backgrounds from around the country. The group seemed to reflect the range of our demographics and was, by and large, Some faces turned bright red while making their arguments. The words liberal PC and drill sergeant wannabe were directed at members, and the instructor broke in to steer the training back to the subject. What side was right and what side was wrong? Both were right and wrong in my view. Both sides embraced different, but valid, definitions of confront. Continued on page 4)

4 4 (Sean Sheehan Continued from page 3) CONFRONT (verb) - Meet face to face with hostile or argumentative intent. - Face up to and deal with a problem or difficult situation. Each side embraced a different aspect of the word. Both sides knew they were right and that meant the other side had to be wrong. The real wrong was that neither side tried to understand the others' viewpoint and the discussion soon degenerated into less than civil behavior. How often have we seen this type of behavior in public discourse or sometimes even at our Auxiliary meetings? One of the Coast Guard's three core values is Respect. One way we can exercise respect is by always, always exercising civility in our interactions with our fellow members, the Gold Side and the public. We can strongly disagree on issues but we owe it to our shipmates, the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard to do our best to value every person by actively listening to each other and trying to understand and doing our best to really communicate our views and needs. This issue is focused on our support functions, and I hope you take the time to get to know more about our dedicated members who provide support functions to their fellow members. Sean Sheehan DCAPT Support & Planning ADD A COXSWAIN INCAPACITY SCENARIO TO PRE-UNDERWAY BRIEFINGS Steven Bustin, District 11N ADSO-MA The greatest responsibility of being a coxswain is the safety of the crew. It is one of the (many) reasons coxswains meticulously go through the preunderway briefing and assign positions and responsibilities to crew well before the facility is ready to leave the dock. However, generally overlooked is how the well-being of the coxswain affects the viability of the mission and the safety of the crew. I was reminded of this during a one-hour refresher TCT during OPTREX at Loch Lomond last month, where the exercise scenario focused on the incapacity of the coxswain and the oft-times tentative manner in which the crew reacted. When I became a coxswain I added a new section titled Coxswain Down to the standard pre-underway briefing, a section on crew assignments in the event of partial or total coxswain incapacity as a result of a medical event or accident. Specifically, I assigned each crew member a specific task and responsibility if I was incapacitated. Each had specific instructions on what they needed to do immediately. In most cases such assignments are obvious. For instance, I assigned one of the better helmsmen to take the helm, an excellent radio operator to get on the radio and call the station, and the EMT/Fireman on board to provide medical assistance. At other times the delineation of assignments may not be as clear. Nevertheless, each crew must have an assignment and know it in advance. The advantages of adding a Coxswain Down section as part of the briefing is obvious in case of such an event: Critical time is saved The best available medical care is provided Initial confusion or even panic is avoided Crew members are clear on what they need to do The best crew for each assignment will take responsibility There is an unexpected advantage to the Coxswain Down briefing: the crew tends to be more engaged and may offer up their own medical issues in case they suffer a medical event. I ve found the Coxswain Down briefing to be a good practice that increases our ability to be and stay safe. Steven Bustin, Flotilla 14, D11N

5 5 The District 11 North Regional Honor Guard /Color Guard Team Tracy Schultz, BC-DPA From the Super Bowl to the World Series; from the Indy 500 to District trainings; from sea to shining sea and everywhere in between; almost every major event begins with the presentation of our Nation s Colors (the National flag and other State/organization/unit flags). This is sometime followed by the posting of the Colors (placement of the flag (s) into stands where they will stay for the duration of the event). What we often take for granted and television cameras seldom display as they offer close ups of the event participants are the intricate movements, verbal commands and precise maneuvers necessary in conducting the time-honored traditions of presenting our Nation s Colors. Every little detail from the placement of flags, the manner in how the flags are held, the sharp appearance of the members in the detail, pacing, verbal commands, foot placement, dressing the flag and rendering honors to the colors are choreographed in minute detail in order to honor this great nation and the other governmental organizations being presented. In addition to knowing how to properly salute the flag (hand slightly cantilevered, sentries executing precise rifle movements), team members also know the proper etiquette and what not to do: not having the American flag follow another flag in line, not turning your back to it, having it fly higher than the others, not allowing it to move backward (in retreat) and having it in the right location in the color guard when posted. Typically, members of an Honor Guard/color guard are volunteers who are carefully screened for their physical ability, dexterity and always upholding proper military bearing throughout the evolution. Only those persons who are highly motivated, can maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct, show the dedication required, and demonstrate aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered. Coast Guard Auxiliarists come in all shapes, sizes, genders and ages with a variety of physical capabilities, restrictions and backgrounds. As such it is not uncommon to see a diverse group of individuals carrying, presenting, and posting the colors. Sixty percent of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary members are over sixty years young, and many members have had to overcome the ravages of time to march and present. Therefore, we do not select members solely based on physical ability or dexterity alone. Members are selected to serve in the Auxiliary Honor Guard/color guard based on passion and commitment. Members must also pass a PQS (Performance Qualification Standard) that involves a written test and manual skills involving facing commands and marching techniques. Members are then chosen for various presentations, parades, and other events not necessarily based on their capabilities; but, on their dedication to the cause. Subsequently, you may sometimes see (although very seldom) an Auxiliary Honor Guardsperson is slightly out of step, or their elbow is not exactly horizontal to the ground or a bit slower than the rest and yet, when their story is told, you might discover that they are recovering from a stroke, surgery or are 84 years young; yet it is their drive and devotion to duty that is truly emblematic of this great nation. (Continued on page 6)

6 6 (Honor Guard Continued from page 5) The District 11 North Regional Honor Guard has a color guard team that proudly trains to present the revered symbol of our great nation as well as our parent organization, the United States Coast Guard. Training consists of a minimum of one full-day monthly meeting and several hours of training before any event. The team consists of full-time workers and retirees. Among its members are Ph.D.s, sheriffs, engineers, managers, a superior court judge and other respected professional within our community. While many Honor Guardsmen have prior military service, some have none at all. What they all share in common, however, is a tremendous amount of patriotism, pride, poise and a strong desire to represent this Nation and our district in the most professional manner possible. The District 11 North Regional Honor Guard /Color Guard Team has presented the colors at several parades, changes of watch, district trainings and performed in front of the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral Zukunft as well as Admiral Schultz, the Pacific Area Commander. The Team has honored our great country at many professional sporting events including hockey, baseball, and football. Support for the Honor Guard has come from past Commodores Perata and Collins, as well as the current leadership of Commodore Thomas and District Chief of Staff Wally Smith. Overseeing Honor Guard activities is DIRAUX CDR Curtis Sumrok. Offering professional guidance and a tremendous amount of patience and support is CDR Andrew Williamson. CDR Williamson has also developed and trained the Coast Guard Auxiliary s Precision Drill Team, the very first of its kind within the Auxiliary and the Nation. So, the next time a ceremony begins, you may want to pay close attention to the strict protocols, minute details, and the precise evolutions surrounding the presentation of our National colors. Also, note the dedication, sacrifice and commitment of those carrying the flags, for they represent the many Americans, throughout our great Nation s history that have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we may flourish daily in the freedoms that Old Glory represents! New District Auxiliary Business Card Guidelines Jerry Edelen DSO-PA Many of our District members have taken the initiative and have had business cards produced at their own expense. These business cards have been very useful in spreading our Auxiliary message and in attracting new members to our organization. The cards have varied from member to member, some being pretty straight forward, others more imaginative. Until recently, there have not been any guidelines as to what information an Auxiliary business card should contain. On August 3 rd, Commodore Rich Thomas issued Business Card Guidelines for D11N via an All Member . This article provides a review and further guidance. The following information may be contained on a business card promoting membership in the Coast Guard Auxiliary: The Coast Guard Auxiliary Logo, Name, Address, Telephone number, and address of the member Up to two Auxiliary offices, past and/or current (i.e. Flotilla Commander, Division Staff Officer Operations, etc.) Up to two Auxiliary qualifications (i.e. Coxswain, AUXOP) The back of the card should be left blank unless you would like to display: Your monthly Flotilla / Division meeting time & place, or "Find out more about the Auxiliary... Live Coast Guard Auxiliary Informational Orientation... Make a reservation... To prevent confusion about the relationship between the Auxiliary and

7 7 an individual member s qualifications or status, the following should not be included on the business card: present or past military rank, civilian job information, or mention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Academic qualifications may be included IF there is a direct tie-in between the Auxiliarist s current position and the academic qualification. For example, FSO/ SO-PEs could list MA (Education) if they have earned this degree; DSO (Legal) could list JD (Juris Doctorate), etc. There are two standard options for purchasing Auxiliary Business Cards that will not require review or approval: Any questions or requests for approval of another design should be referred to the DSO-PA for clarification. These guidelines will become effective the first of next year and will help standardize our message to insure our District personnel are professionally introduced. Option 1- Standard format may be chosen from options 1 to 4 from Cutter Agent: This is one of the example cards from Cutter Agent (printed by VistaPrint): Option 2 - Standard cards from CG Auxiliary Association: merce.com/stationery/ This is an example card from the CG Auxiliary Association:

8 8 District Calendar of Events NOVEMBER 2015 JANUARY 2016 NOV 1 NOV 1 ANSC Deadline to DIRAUX Please refer to the online District 11N Calendar for recent updates and information: COMO Charles S. Greanoff Leadership Award Deadline National NOV 7 Division 11 COW Location: Atlantis Casino / Contact: Leon Borden, DCDR NOV 8 Division 4 COW Location: TBD / Contact: Bill Tsai, DCDR NOV 14 Division 6 COW Location: Seascape Club, Aptos CA / Contact: Jane Smith, DCDR NOV 20 EXCOM Meeting Executive Inn, Alameda CA NOV 21 District Board & Staff Meeting CG Island, Alameda CA NOV 21 Elected Officers' Training (EOT) CG Island, Alameda CA NOV 22 EOT (Continued) CG Island, Alameda CA DEC 5 Division 8 COW Location: Benbow RV Resort / Contact: Carl Pierce DEC 6 Division 5 COW Location: CG Tracen Petaluma / Contact: Wil Sumner DEC 12 Division 7 COW Location: Ramada, Salt Lake City UT / Contact: Ann Zocchi JAN 10 Division 1 COW Location: Pt. Welcome Room, CGI / Contact: Diana Serchia JAN 15 EXCOM Meeting Executive Inn, Alameda CA JAN District Board and Staff Meeting CG Island, Alameda CA JAN PCA Fair CG Island, Alameda CA / Contact: Mary Kirkwood JAN 23 Division 10 COW Stockton CA / Contact: Carrie Van De Boom JAN N-TRAIN Location: St. Louis MO Disclaimer: The NORTHWIND reserves the right to proof read and edit-copy all articles submitted. It takes no responsibility and accepts no liability for damages caused by errors left in the document. It cannot accept responsibility for the validity of web sites that link from this publication. It also cannot accept responsibility for any content submitted by any author. Articles published in the NORTHWIND must be consistent with the stated policies of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Telephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of these rosters addresses and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the internet is prohibited by the 1974 Privacy Act. NORTHWIND is the official publication of the United Stated Coast Guard Auxiliary, District Eleven North. Article contributions by the following: Rich Thomas, District Commodore Sean Sheehan, DCAPT Support & Planning Steve Bustin, ADSO-MA Tracy Schultz, BC-DPA Jerry Edelen, DSO-PA Website: NORTHWIND Publications Team: Cecil Claspell DSO-PB Curtis Han ADSO-PB (Deputy) Victor Beelik ADSO-PB Roger Bazeley ADSO-PB District 11 North Webmaster Irene Wetzel DSO-CS Design: Curtis Han Layout: Cecil Claspell dso-pb@d11nuscgaux.info

9 9 NORTHWIND Official Newsletter of District 11 Northern Commander (dpa-n) Coast Guard Island, Building 50-2 Alameda, CA [Addressee] [Street Address] [City, ST ZIP Code]