RESERVIST MAGAZINE FROM THE EDITOR I just got back from a quick trip to the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area. I was one of more than 100 reservists involuntarily recalled for the response to Hurricane Dorian. Being the public affairs type, I worked a few intense days handling national media calls with the LANTAREA command. I wasn’t on active duty for more than a handful of days when we realized that Dorian would only brush against the east coast, rather than have a full-on impact. My command told me, “Go home, wash your uniforms and get ready for the next one.” They were only half-joking. I think most Coast Guard reservists have spent the last few hurricane seasons with one eye on the news. (Our family, doubly so, as my husband is also a drilling reservist. Our sons are worried about us both being recalled simultaneously again, and I guess I’m a little worried about that, too.) Still, I wouldn’t trade this job. Reservists are in their element in these contingencies. In just the last two months, Coast Guard reservists have been recalled for the Southwest border mission, the response to Hurricane Dorian, and the Golden Ray case in Georgia. There’s no shortage of opportunities to get in there and support the Coast Guard’s mission alongside our active duty brothers and sisters. I didn’t even mention the folks taking active duty assignments to give the new parents among us a little time to bond with their new babies. Good, good stuff. The last issue we put out was sent a few days before the Reserve Component Leadership Conference in June. I met so many members of the SRO and badge communities. I loved putting the faces to the names I’ve read in emails and voices I’ve spoken to over the phone! They really went to bat to frontload leadership with the unvarnished truth, and I listed a few of the best quotes below. I only had a few weeks to wrap up this issue, but I had to say, one of my favorite stories I covered in this issue was about podcasts. I’m a pretty big aficionado of podcasts myself, so when I heard that the new BM RFMC, Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Ellis, was communicating using this new(ish) medium, I called him to chat. (Side note: Ellis, while working full time at his last job, officer-in- charge of the Greenbriar, was also serving as a part-time police officer for his town. Who understands the reserve life better than a guy like that?) Ellis’s podcast, Course Made Good, does deep-dives on Coast Guard topics, and, while I’m always going to think my rating is the best one, I have to say I’ve learned a lot from listening to his guests (detailers, instructors, training petty officers, etc.). Same thing for another great podcast, They Had to Go Out, in which two chiefs interview retirees about their “most dangerous, daring or epic sea story or stories.” I’m subscribed to both podcasts, and you can read more about them on page 42. Another great read is from each of the two guest columnists for this issue. First, in View From the Bridge, we have the new Assistant Commandant for Reserve, Rear Adm. Todd Wiemers, who’s taking the successful strategy he used to create the Boat Forces Reserve Management Plan and applying it to the whole of the Reserve. Opposite him is the Deckplate Soundings, where one of our senior enlisted leaders from the active duty side, Master Chief Petty Officer Josh McKenzie, the new MK RFMC, shows off his plans for the reserve MKs. That wraps this issue, and we’ve just begun work on another. Though I’m back at my desk in my civvies, my Coast Guard uniforms are washed, and my bag is packed, ready to go. Anastasia Devlin Editor-in-Chief 2 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2019 RESERVIST MAGAZINE FROM OUR READERS THE UNIFORM ISSUE Volume LXVI � Special Issue Bravo Zulu I want to commend you, Chris, and your entire team for creating and publishing the excellent uniform issue of the Reservist. I was there when the first edition was published and I can attest to the huge amount of hard work and creative energy that is required to turn out such a quality product. The original issue was well received and became a valuable resource for the entire Service. I’m sure the latest issue will follow suit. Thanks again. Capt. Dale M. Rausch, USCGR (ret.) Thanks, Captain. We hope to do this again when we see the new version of the ODU that the MCPOCG spoke about during the Coast Guard town hall in August. Standby to standby! Uniform Issue Corrections Great issue on the uniforms. However, on page 54, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard badge is missing the third star. Master Chief Petty Officer Bill Princiotta, USCGR (ret.) As a retiree, I enjoyed the uniform update provided in the recent Special Issue of the Reservist. It's clear that our people now have great options to fit their varied and diverse assignments. I did notice an odd item on page 54 highlighting Command Chief Badges. The badge for the MCPOCG contains only two and not the three stars at the anchor top as the rating warrants. Is this correct or an error? Many thanks and keep up the great work. Capt. Russ Cherry, USCGR (ret.) This one tops the list of errors I’ve made in my time here as editor. The first person I heard from regarding that now-
