RESERVIST MAGAZINE DECKPLATE SOUNDINGS T his past year presented us with many new and unique challenges due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Coast Guard has been working diligently to find the perfect balance of maintaining operational readiness to meet our global and domestic needs while, at the same time, protecting the health and welfare of our workforce. Working to maintain this balance has especially impacted our SELRES members. Many units were not able to drill in person for months, forcing units to go to “virtual drilling.” This had the potential for some unfortunate unintended consequences, such as the potential for members to miss earning a good year for retirement. Fortunately, our leadership expertly managed this situation, so there was minimal impact on our members. CG-R advocated to have the minimum number of retirement points in a year reduced from 70 to 50 during the pandemic so members who may have had their drills disrupted could still be eligible for a Reserve Good Conduct Medal. Commands were authorized to consider alternative means for reservists to perform duties until the crisis had passed, including use of alternate training methods. I saw some great ideas employed using our growing set of cyber tools, like virtual boards, servicewide study groups, and all hands training via live video links. Your willingness to adapt and excel never surprises me. I’m going to go one step further here, and personally challenge our leaders—our chiefs, our young officers, our adaptive Reserve force!—this pandemic WILL end in the not-too-distant future, but continue to seek new ways of doing the mission. Continue to drive change, adaptation and the use of new technologies. The Reserve found efficiencies and opportunities during this pandemic that I don’t want us to forget. As I think about the health and welfare of the workforce, I am very excited about the vaccines currently being administered to both active duty and reserve members who have voluntarily chosen to receive it. When I heard there was a vaccine, I knew I was going to raise my hand and be one of the first to sign up. Why? It was a choice I purposely made, not only protect myself, my family, the Coast Guard, and my country, but also to help move us one step closer to getting past the pandemic. The more individuals who choose to receive the vaccination, the faster we move as a nation to being one step closer to herd immunity and building a stronger resistance to the virus. This resistance will allow us to get closer to getting back to pre-pandemic conditions, some normalcy in our lives, which gets us closer back to training and working together in person. If you are in the “wait and see” mode, I encourage you to learn as much about the vaccine as you can and then make an educated, informed decision about being vaccinated. The common thread that links events of national significance and our Reserve force is our Nation’s reliance on reservists for the surge capacity required to respond effectively to what are often unscheduled, but not necessarily unanticipated, contingencies. Both the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security understand the value-added aspect of our “part time” workforce, and they are committed to keeping it strong and ready to answer the call. The most recent calls for reservists to serve our nation’s needs have not always been related to driving boats or enforcing maritime laws; we’ve taken on a more humanitarian role, such as assisting with Southwest Border operations and supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s recent request for assistance to support President Biden’s challenge of administering 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days. CG-R is working to have a mobilization plan in place to deploy SELRES members to various locations across the country to assist FEMA at vaccination sites. The Reserve Force exists to enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to all threats and contingencies. Adm. William “Bull” Halsey, Jr., Commander of Third Fleet during WWII, said, “There are no great people in the world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.” I am proud to serve alongside Coast Guard reservists who, as ordinary people, are always willing to rise to meet the challenge. Thank you for everything that you do. Semper Paratus. "To the men and women of the Coast Guard Reserve, thanks for your commitment to excellence and your devotion to duty! All of you are inspirational and make me proud to wear the cloth of our great nation." Issue 1 • 2021 � RESERVIST 9 Master Chief Petty Officer Timothy Beard Command Master Chief, Pacific Area
