RESERVIST MAGAZINE FROM OUR READERS Awards I just wanted to say thank you for including the information about CGECTA/ contact tracing in the latest issue of Reservist magazine. Thank you for your support. Also loved the pages and pages of awards at the end. Cmdr. Emily Ward Thanks, ma’am. Glad to support our people who are out there knocking it out of the park! The Long Walk Just read your article [on Tom Cowan’s Appalachian Trail hike] ma’am. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing and well done. Master Chief’s story is definitely inspirational, and your skills shined. Master Chief Clinton R. Self Coast Guard Headquarters Volume LXVIII � Issue 4 • 2021 RESERVE REQUIREMENTS GENERATION SYSTEM RGS On Oct. 1, 1956, the fourth month of the program, Company R-4 was assembled at Cape May. There, 93 youths, all under 18 ½ years of age from all over the country, gathered and began training. In late 2005, we started organizing a reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of R-4’s formation. Over 30 members attended, and we have held reunions at Cape May every five years ever since, though our numbers are dwindling. Our 65th anniversary reunion was held October 14-16, 2021. Due to scheduling and medical problems, only six of our members were able to attend, but that Thursday night, we held a dinner in Cape May and were honored to have the Training Center commanding officer, Capt. Kathy Felger and Senior Chief Petty Officer David Knapp join us. On Friday, Senior Chief Knapp guided us on a base tour, showed us the bricks R-4 I enjoyed your article about Master Chief Cowan's trek up the Appalachian Trail. Tom and I drilled together for a few years in the mid-90s at Reserve Unit Salt Lake City, Utah, until RUs were disestablished and some of us were able to find a new unit to call home. I almost caught up with him again in 2013 at Headquarters when I was doing some active duty. I saw Tom's name on an office door at the old HQ but he wasn't in and I lost track of his whereabouts when we moved to the St. Elizabeth’s campus. Thanks for another great edition. Chief Warrant Officer Harry Hetzel, USCGR (ret.) Thanks for the notes about Tom! He’s got a lot of fans across the Coast Guard, and as you know, I barely scratched the surface of describing both his endearing personality and his deep impact on people in the service. I love seeing that he continues to challenge himself and inspire others. Chief King I just received the latest issue of Reservist magazine, and it did not include the information I sent concerning the loss of Chief Petty Officer Kevin King. Could you please update me on its future inclusion? Chief Warrant Officer John Raposo, USCGR (ret.) I apologize, I’m not sure how I missed MKC! I know he is a dear friend of yours. We included him in this issue. 6 x 8 x 65 In 1956, the Coast Guard implemented the “6 x 8” program, where enlistees would spend six months on active duty and eight years in the Reserve. Initially the 6x8s were put in separate companies from “regular” recruits. Regular companies were designated Alpha to November, and the Reserve companies were given a Romeo designation. One company was started each month. Thank you, Commander. Capt. Kathy Felger and I were stationed together in Miami years ago. It’s interesting to hear the types of recruiting programs the Coast Guard used to have, but not surprising at all that you all are still close 65 years later! ANNOUNCEMENT There’s a reunion coming up for port security folks: U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 303(b) Desert Storm Reunion: May 13–15, 2022 for Brooklyn and New York City BBQ, Wreath laying and dinner/dance at the Brooklyn War Memorial Contact: Martin Maher at [email protected] David Hans at [email protected] Other Desert Storm PSU and TRADET members are welcome to attend. Petty Officer 1st Class David Hans, USCGR (ret.) Issue 1 • 2022 � RESERVIST 3 donated to the Enlisted Memorial, and we had a place of honor at the graduation ceremony. First, greetings from Capt. Felger. As soon as I mentioned the Reservist, she mentioned your name. Second, I attached a photo from this reunion and a photo of us marching 65 years ago. Cmdr. Mike Nilsson, USCGR (ret.)
