This position is the central point for receipt, dissemination, and updates to scheduled launches and serves as liaison to Space Launch Delta 45 and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. While the chief is the primary MOC watch stander, the increase in the number of space launches has quickly created a need for additional manpower support. In FY21, Sector Jacksonville instituted a pilot program to integrate reservists into the EOC/MOC watch stander positions with successful results. So far, two reservists have qualified as EOC watch standers with a total of five reservists supporting more than 30 launch opportunities in a six-month time span, and the level of support continues on its current glide path. Sector Jacksonville’s goal for FY22 is to continue to leverage reservists for support to space operations. However, even with Reserve support, the growing space industry is exceeding Coast Guard capabilities and capacity. Manpower requirements continue to increase and an augmentation of active and Reserve staff and assets are needed to continue support to the space mission. For the first time in history of the Space Program, the missions are routinely commercial and heavily maritime focused with a space support vessel fleet expected to grow to more than 20 uniquely designed vessels by the end of 2023, necessitating increased Coast Guard involvement. The Coast Guard continues to prioritize the safety and security of commercial and recreational maritime traffic during launch operations and is poised to respond to search and rescue or hazmat response in its support of space operations. � The Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral crew gathers in front of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster Nov. 1, 2020, including (from left): Chief Petty Officer Michael Sullivan, Ensign Eric Sobocinski, Chief Petty Officer Ryan Witterschein, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Matt Ricks, Mr. David Cooke, Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Ladomirak, Petty Officer 2nd Class Samantha Smith, Cmdr. Joshua Rose, Lt. Richard Quintana, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Aaron Sala, Lt. Cmdr. John Di Nino, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andres Garcia. The rocket booster launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying a set of 60 Starlink satellites. Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Di Nino Sea services pitch in to share ideas at U.S. Naval Institute Story by Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Hsieh, Sector Virginia The U.S. Naval Institute held its annual DARE workshop at the U.S. Naval Academy. Two Coast Guard reservists, Chief Petty Officer Blaine Meserve-Nibley from Sector Maryland – National Capital Region and I participated alongside eight Coast Guard active duty and civilian members in the two-day workshop. DARE brings together 50 mid-level professionals from the sea services and the private industry to answer a challenge posed by one of the sea service chiefs. This year’s question came from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David H. Berger, and it focused on personnel retention in the sea services in the maritime “gray zone” where strategic competitors may hold an advantage. Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps representatives paired up with private industry subject matter experts to answer this question and prepare a brief for the commandant. Instead of directly answering the questions on pen and paper, participants learned about design-driven transformation from Dr. Michael Meyer, a professor at University of California San Diego. Design-driven transformation seeks to reframe a problem statement and breaks down the process to derive a solution. Over the course of two days, participants brainstormed, focusing on defining the problem at hand and finding solutions to these problems using a facilitated, structured design process. Hand- selected participants, including Lt. Anna Ruth from Coast Guard Headquarters, prepared their briefings with USNI team members and met with Berger for a candid, 90-minute discussion. Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps representatives paired up with private industry subject matter experts to answer questions posed by one of the sea service chiefs. Being able to integrate with colleagues from the other sea services as a Coast Guard reservist was rewarding, and I would encourage others to take the opportunity to participate in DARE and engage with your shipmates. The USNI will solicit questions from the Commandant of the Coast Guard as part of the next iteration of DARE scheduled for Feb. 16-18, 2022 in San Diego. � Issue 4 • 2021 � RESERVIST 11
