RESERVIST MAGAZINE THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE A few months back, I was called at home by Admiral Charlie Ray and asked if I would serve as the Assistant Commandant for Reserve. I immediately responded that I was honored by his request, and that, yes, I would. I shared that, as a practitioner of all things Reserve for the last four decades, it would be quite special to lead the Coast Guard Reserve program… coming full circle, as it seems. While I’ve honed my knowledge of all things Reserve through varied assignments and deployments (as most of us have) and learned the ins and outs of Coast Guard Headquarters through leading enterprise-wide projects, I’ve had limited experience with the executive policy side of Reserve affairs. This is where the fine and professional people of CG-R stepped in, making this transition to Reserve policy quite smooth. As you’d expect, there is much going on in the world of the Coast Guard Reserve. Foremost, the Rear Adm. James M. Kelly, Assistant Commandant for Reserve CG-R team and I are doing all we can to restore the Reserve to its authorized strength. I take the role of CG-R to ensure policies help—not hinder—someone from either joining ‘off the street,’ as my brother and I did in June 1977, or from affiliating with the Reserve upon their completion of active duty. To help with this, various changes have been implemented, such as deferring deployment for one year for many affiliating with the Reserve from active duty; leveraging training capacity at units instead of fixed personnel allowanced positions to help members drill closer to home; and enhancing our career intentions worksheet to highlight Reserve service as a way to maintain one’s Coast Guard affiliation for members completing their active duty service. Additionally, the CG-R team undertook a fresh partnership with Coast Guard Recruiting Command directing the funding of six new Reserve-specific recruiters and the production of Reserve-focused marketing material. We are working with our operational commanders and CGRC on the placement of the additional recruiters within targeted cities to help us restore our force faster. In other exciting news, the Commandant recently approved Publication-R: Doctrine for the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve (Pub R), which provides a clear foundation for the missions and structure of the Reserve. Pub R formally defines the Reserve Component as a contingency-based, locally trained, globally deployable force, which prepares for mobilization through an augmentation-training model unique to the Coast Guard. Moreover, our newly minted doctrine provides the framework for the future organization of the Reserve around geographic centers of mass, establishes Reserve roles and expectations, and drives Reserve mission requirements… all of which are essential in our continued service to the Nation. Looking to the field, men and women of the Reserve are competently and honorably serving "Pub R formally defines the Reserve Component as a contingency-based, locally trained, globally deployable force." 6 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2021 of the tenets which have always held true for me: 1) surround yourself with position influencers; 2) force yourself beyond your comfort; 3) always take care of your people; 4) act with urgency; and 5) be decisive. or officer, career advancement has changed little since I entered the Coast Guard. Another constant is our respect for those who came before us. Our lives changed 20 years ago during the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., and I offer my prayers and petitions for all who died as a result of that never-to-be-forgotten Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. So many lives and so many families have been permanently changed by these events. I pray all can obtain some peace and solace in all of this. To the fine men and women who wear our Coast Guard uniform, and to our civilian partners, it’s my honor to serve with you. May God bless you and yours. Semper Paratus. at assigned duty stations supporting daily operations, in addition to their exceptional work responding to our nation’s response needs such as Hurricane Ida and Operation Allies Welcome. Bravo Zulu to all. We look to these members to lead our great service in the future. In my experience, diverse and challenging assignments were crucial to growing my career in the Reserve, but let me offer a few As military members, we’ll always encounter new missions and challenges, but whether enlisted
