Coast Guard crews, along with New York Police Department and New York Fire Department assets, provide a security escort for the USNS Comfort arrival into New York Harbor, March 30. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN; RESERVISTS CITE ADAPTABILITY AS CRUCIAL TOOL IN COVID-19 RESPONSE W ith the advent of the coronavirus crisis, the United States has been experiencing unprecedented levels of unemployment, but for some Coast Guard reservists, they’ve actually been called back to work—in their reserve capacity—as a result. Jobs in ICS, public affairs, healthcare, logistics and management of all kinds have presented themselves, and the Reserve has responded. More than 300 reservists have been recalled to serve, and many others have taken voluntary orders to plus-up the service in ways that, while needed, sometimes don’t require the use of the competency or rating in which they’ve been trained. Here are just a few of their stories. At the top of the list was Capt. Kirsten Trego, who, as a reservist on extended active duty at Coast Guard Headquarters, was ideally positioned to contribute. She was picked to be the Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO) lead, paired with the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS) lead, an active duty member named Capt. Thomas Remmers. “I call myself a utility player, because I’m able to do a lot of different things,” said Trego, who comes to the team with experience in waterways, oil spills, arctic operations, planning and prevention, as well as two tours as a sector senior reserve officer. “Reservists have to be plug and play.” Established in the leadership at the top of the Deputy Commandant for Operations command cadre, Trego had been part of briefings regarding the maritime nexus of the 20 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2020 presidential proclamations restricting travel. As the operational tempo increased, Trego received a call that she’d been handpicked to lead the Coast Guard’s Coronavirus Crisis Action Team (CCAT). “I was in the right place at the right time, which is how my career has gone—the right opportunities have always presented themselves.” But as operations ramped up, Trego spent 100-hour weeks dedicated to adapting Coast Guard policies to both equip the field and guide their response. Practically living at her office in headquarters, she didn’t see her family for a month. The work was intense. “We’re the coordination point for all things COVID,” said Trego. The CCAT has issued more than 50 documents containing new systems, policy and guidance to the field for operations in the time of coronavirus. “The toughest thing is the many unknowns about the virus, and therefore the national posture and having to react quickly,” said the reserve captain. “I’m proud of the willingness and enthusiasm shown in this uncertain time, when our Coasties have stepped up and tackled this head on, showing their bias for action, their ingenuity,” said Trego. “It’s incredible how the team has come together and how willing they are to work with each other. It’s been impressive.” Trego, as well as many other reservists interviewed, said there’s no training for something like this. But ironically, their background as a Coast Guard reservist is what gave them the
