ALCOAST 039/08
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: USCGR AWARDS PROGRAM: FY07 RESERVE AFFAIRS FAMILY READINESS
AWARD
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COAST GUARD RESERVE RECIPIENT
OF THE RESERVE AFFAIRS FAMILY READINESS AWARD (RAFRA) FOR FY2007 IS
PORT SECURITY UNIT (PSU) 308, GULFPORT, MS.
2. THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR
RESERVE AFFAIRS (OASD-RA) ESTABLISHED THE RAFRA TO RECOGNIZE THE
TOP UNIT IN EACH OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES THAT
DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING FAMILY READINESS WHILE MAINTAINING
SUPERIOR MISSION READINESS. THE AWARD IS OPEN TO ANY CG UNIT WITH A
RESERVE WORKFORCE.
3. PSU 308 DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY READINESS AND SUPPORT
DURING THEIR RECENT DEPLOYMENT TO GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA.
REESTABLISHING THEIR OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, THEY UTILIZED TWO PARTNERED
OMBUDSMAN WHO PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE DEPENDENTS OF THE
54 MEMBERS WHO DEPLOYED. THE OMBUDSMEN KEPT FAMILIES UP TO DATE VIA
THEIR "SHORE TIES" NEWSLETTER AND OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION BY
PHONE AND E-MAIL. COORDINATING WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, THEY HOSTED A
HOMECOMING EVENT FOR THE RETURNING MEMBERS OF PSU 308, COMPLETE
WITH GIFT BASKETS DONATED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
4. CONGRATULATIONS TO PSU 308 FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO FAMILY
SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
5. THE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED BY OASD-RA ON 15 FEB 2008 AT A
CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE HALL OF HEROES AT THE PENTAGON. THE
WINNERS FROM THE OTHER RESERVE COMPONENTS WILL BE HONORED AT THE
SAME CEREMONY.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
7. CAPT D. J. MCCLELLAN, ACTING DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND
TRAINING, SENDS.