CONSOLIDATED DIVISION COMMANDERS REPORT JANUARY 2013 DCO COMO Al Verdi 2013 came in with a roar. D-Train was exceptionally well executed by the staff, attended by a grateful active duty and appreciated by a huge number of members seeking training. January, of course, is a month full of COW s in Divisions 9 and 10 followed by N-Train, end of the month in St. Louis. I am excited to see the district embrace the Division Commander s action plans, see attached. These plans will guide our units and members in planning and training for our RBS mission. Many members have expressed positively that having such plans at kick off of the year is what they have wanted. The implementation of Go to Meeting as the vehicle for cost saving and expanded member training opportunities is available for one and all to use. D11SR will be acquiring its own independent license in the near term but it is available now. The below reports reflect the motivated leaders and membership in action and you are all encouraged to read the reports of sister divisions for areas of interest and opportunities for collaboration in getting our mission done proficiently and safely. Plan, Train, Execute! Tom Stoddard, DCAPT SD/I DIVISION 1 Randy Wesson, DCDR The division staff officers and flotilla commanders have created and published their goals. The division staff officers have been finalizing their plans and starting to implement their programs. The VCDR has been assisting the experienced and inexperienced staff officers with getting their programs going. Flotilla commanders have advised the FSO s to plan their programs and to work with their division staff officers. The Elected Officer Academy was held in January and the Appointed Officer Academy was held in December. SO-PV reports that 24 visitations have been completed and we have one new partner SO-IS reported that too much historical data regarding members and flotillas has been lost over the years. A goal is to work with SO-HR to establish a data retention program. SO-CS has made the annual changes to the division website SO-FN is assisting flotillas in the completion of their year-end finance and inventory reports. The division budget has been completed and approved. SO-HR reported that national referral numbers have dropped off. 18 members retired last year. SO-MS is working with AUXLO towards assisting in Prevention programs. SO-MT has been contacting FSO s in order to set up mandatory and voluntary training
SO-NS is working on the PQS training and has the PATON goals set SO-OP reports many missions have already been completed, and is working on scheduling other requested missions with active duty SO-PA coordinated efforts for the SunRoad Boat Show. SO is currently staffing the Cabrillo Monument Whale Watching event and Fred Hall Boat Show SO-PB/PA and FSO-PB 01-01 in January created and published the first edition of the division newsletter General Quarters and published the second edition today SO-VE has set up a staffing schedule for VSC s at the Laurel St. facility SO-DV is making plans for assisting FSO s in the 3 Star NACO Award program LL is training a new person to take over as a flotilla lay leader for 01-01 and also training the current FSO as a replacement for the division LL The Change of Watch and Awards Ceremony will be held on 09FEB13 at MCAS Miramar s Officer s Club DIVISION 9, Mary Napier, DCDR Division 9 begins 2013 with renewed energy, and a resolve to meet the guidelines set by our Executive Board. I am planning with my staff to get more members to accept staff positions and train those that we have. We look forward to a successful new year. The Division is sponsoring a Staff Officer training workshop on February 23, 2013. So far HR, VE, and PV will be part of that training. Flotilla 9-2, 4, and 8 continue to participate in group NAV rules training for Crew and Coxswain members. Flotillas 9-6 and 9-7 have begun a Crew class on alternate Saturdays. Members of Division 9 are planning to attend an invasive species class on the 5 th of February in Lake Havasu. DIVISION 10 Chris Harshfield, DCDR Had a successful Change of Watch January 19 th and a patrol with the DIRAUX, Deputy Sector Commander, DCO, DCOS and the AUXLO the following day at Lake Pleasant. Flotillas are working on setting up events for their areas and getting their staff moving towards 2013 goals. PA events and Member Training classes are being scheduled through March. 2
Operational Training, 1 hour TCT, SABOT, PFD and PPE Inspection and AUXDATA OM training scheduled for February 10 th for all Division members Flotilla 10-7 and 10-1 planning VE blitz s for February at Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake Bill Luke Bass Days scheduled with PA booth and VE blitzes Sponsored by 10-7 Arizona Mills Spring Break Days with PA booth scheduled March 9 th Sponsored by 10-7 Instructor Development training planned for new and current instructors Sponsored by 10-8 IT, VE, PV, Awards Writing, Intro to Auxdata and AUX LMS workshop scheduled for March. ABS Classes scheduled for the first Saturday of the month through December 2014 Sponsored by 10-8. Monthly Staff Officer Skype meetings planned for the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Currently Skype meetings are setup for Operations, Member Training and PE Staff Officers and FSO s. Other departments to be brought on line for Second quarter 2013 FWL National Bass Tournament being held at Roosevelt Lake with Operational support. Sponsored by Flotilla 10-1. Tournament dates February 19-23 Tom Jacobsmeyer, DCAPT(LA/LB-S) Divisions are winding up for the year with District Plan activities already set for the first half of the year. All Division and Flotillas have held first meetings for 2013. : All Flotillas have begun operational planning for the year All staff are appointed with the exception of the VCDR for Division 5 upcoming election in March DIVISION 5 Geoff Emery, DCDR In the days following January 15 we learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of Vice Division Commander Stan Hartman who was found dead at his residence in the following days. District Plan Actions - The Division is actively working on recruitment and retention. In this regard we have initiated Crew, Coxswain, VE, and Aton training. A division meeting was conducted in January at the Coast Guard Base at Sector LA. In February our change of watch is scheduled for Saturday February 23. 3
Plans for change of watch finalized. New Election for vice division commander planned for March VE classes scheduled Waco Winters Crew class started January 26 Additional classes to be announced shortly DIVISION 6 Leslie Jon Ross, DCDR Division 6 completed another successful year on all fronts. We had many 4th cornerstone events at the respective Flotilla Holiday parties. The Holiday Boat Parades in Huntington Harbor, Newport Harbor and Dana Point Harbor were supported by Division 6 OPFACs, Coxswains, Crews, Radio Operators, PA watch standers and other members providing support. Of note was Flotilla 68 s use of the ICS format to promote and develop the support for the Parade of Lights in Dana Point including local and county agencies. Our members worked diligently at the Flotilla and Division levels putting together respective staffs and the Division conducted a successful New Flotilla Commander Academy for our Board. We completed necessary preparatory work for D-Train. District Plan Activity - One noted activity was Flotilla 67 conducting an FSO training day with a number of Division Staff Officers attending to train and coordinate with FSO s. This was an outstanding opportunity for growth at both the Flotilla and the Division levels. Several Flotillas also conducted additional FSO training both as a group and individually including the introduction of the GAR for the Flotilla. Flotillas 61 and 68 have scheduled a Boat Crew School starting in March and Flotilla 67 is supporting the Division 5 Boat Crew School. Overall Division 6 closed out a successful 2012 and are working actively on all programs for 2013. January was very busy with D-Train, Flotilla meetings, Member Training FL68 supported Dana Point Parade of Lights with Radio Guard facility and operators. Flotillas are taking action in support for the NACO 3 Star Award Flotillas are reporting increased membership between December and January. Members actively involved with Sector LA/LB in MDA patrols, Dive Casualty Investigation Team and Prevention / Outreach programs. All Flotillas are actively involved in member training. Flotilla 67 provided VE and PA training. Division 6 is taking on a 9.5% increase in Navigation Aids verification Flotillas conducted PA activities in connection with the Los Angeles Boat Show in February. 4
One Flotilla reported the successful completion of a Basic Navigation course in mid- December with 18 graduates. Five Flotillas are already developing plans for multiple Public Education courses for 2013. DIVISION 11 JV Vara, DCDR Division 11 has started planning for boating season operations, PE and VE events. District Plan First Coxswain school, 8 month program will begin in March. All Flotillas creating annual plan for operations activity Division COW scheduled for March 10 ALAN CARVER DCAPT (LA/LB-N) DIVISION 4 Tom Pelosi, DCDR The Division is conducting weekly patrols at LA/LB harbor. Trailer boats Sea Hawk has patrolled the LA/LB Harbor Boat Crew Training is scheduled for LA/LB Harbor and the Inland Lakes in our AOR Division members conducted 18 PATON Surveys Division 4 COW to be held on 2 March. DIVISION 7 Charlie Geiger, DCDR Slow start to the year as two flotillas haven t even had their first meeting (one due to illness to both FC and VFC) and three of six flotillas are experiencing. 5
: All FCs and VFCs completed on line Flotilla Leadership Course and attended annual Flotilla Leadership Academy. All Flotillas except 761 attended the Staff Officer Workshops. Flotillas 72, 73, and 74 continue to be strong performers and the outlook for 2013 looks to be very good again. Flotilla 71 (Santa Barbara) has leadership issues. DCDR and VCDR will attend flotilla meetings and assist as necessary. Flotilla 77 is still struggling but current flotilla leadership is optimistic and working hard to get members to become more active. Flotilla 761 has only 6 active members. Division Leadership is working with them to help recruit new members via PE classes, VE exams, and PA events. DSOs will travel to Morro Bay to provide MT at all flotilla meetings at least through May. Flotillas 77 and 74 are entertaining possible Flotilla Name Changes to properly reflect AOR. They will address this issue at February meetings. DCDR and VCDR met with XPO at STA Morro Bay. They have offered to provide their 47 MLB for an ATON Patrol since there are currently no Auxiliary OPFACs in that area. DCDR will coordinate efforts to provide ATON verifiers for patrol which may happen as early as March or April. SO-CM presented a Introduction to TCO-PQS Workshop. 20 students have been assigned mentors and are making progress with task sign offs. Most have indicated interest in purchasing Mobile Radios that will be offered for use and some have indicated an interest in Watchstanding at STA Channel Islands and STA Morro Bay. All Boat OPFACs are scheduling Training Patrols in preparation for Division OPSARX event on 30 MAR. SO-MT is developing plans to get all members involved in the new Mandatory Training programs. DIVISION 12 Ron Miller, DCDR Division 12 flotillas have worked out an online 2013 Division Calendar which resulted in no scheduling conflicts for Public Education courses and Public Affairs events for the coming year. : The National minimum of 25% to conduct business is still problematic due to a drop in attendance at meetings. Flotilla Commanders are working hard to get members to the meetings. This has been successful in the past few months. 6
Division 12 held a joint All Hands meeting in January for all flotilla s attended by DCO Verdi and Bert Blanchette, DCOS. This joint meeting was followed by a short business meeting. Attendance was from all flotillas in the Division. Division 12 is preparing to support the PA booth at the MDR component of the LA Boat Show at Burton Chace County Park. Division 12 COW preparation is underway. Division 12 Helicopter/Fixed Wing Training Group conducted more than 30 hours of missions in support of USCG AIRSTALA and USCG AIRSTASD Helicopter/Fixed Wing Training Group is supporting Air Station LA/LB with annual STAN review. The Training Group is currently recruiting new members. DCDR met with FCs in a business meeting just after the start of the year to plan strategic direction for the division and the flotilla s. Several more of these meetings will be held this year. Division 12 is placing emphasis on the new uniform changes, wearing of the uniform and protocol. D11SR ACTION PLAN Alan Carver, DCAPT-N LA/LB North Divisions were charged with developing a plan to improve quality of vessel exams and provide better trained instructors. DCAPT and DSO-MT developed draft proposal to address VE training with an eye toward improving the overall quality of vessel examinations. A copy was sent to the DSO-VE for input. 7