ALCOAST 265/08
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: USCGR AWARDS PROGRAM: FY07 RADM BENNETT "BUD" SPARKS AWARD
WINNER
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141507Z MAR 08/ALCOAST 134/08
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SECTOR ST PETERSBURG IS THE FY07
RADM BENNETT "BUD" SPARKS AWARD RECIPIENT. SPONSORED BY THE RESERVE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE SPARKS AWARD IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO THE
COAST GUARD UNIT JUDGED TO BE THE MOST SUPPORTIVE OF A TOTALLY
INTEGRATED COAST GUARD FORCE, DEMONSTRATED BY ITS EFFECTIVE USE OF
COAST GUARD RESERVISTS. REF A OUTLINED THE CRITERIA.
2. SECTOR ST PETERSBURG DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL RESERVE
MANAGEMENT, READINESS AND WORK FORCE INTEGRATION BY FOCUSING ON THE
OBJECTIVE MEASURES OUTLINED IN REF A AND CONCENTRATED EFFORTS
UNDERTAKEN TO IMPROVE THEM. NOTEWORTHY INITIATIVES INCLUDED:
 A. ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE SUPERVISORS INCREASED EMPHASIS ON
OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE READINESS.  RESERVE PERSONNEL TOOK
OWNERSHIP OF PROCESSES THAT MATERIALLY BENEFITED THE SECTOR WITH A
400 PERCENT INCREASE IN SAFETY AND SECURITY EVOLUTIONS, A GRADE OF
100 PERCENT ON THE RESERVE SECTION OF THE MLCA COMPLIANCE
INSPECTION THAT HIGHLIGHTED FULLY INTEGRATED AND QUALIFIED
INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATION TEAMS, BOAT CREWS AND VESSEL BOARDING
AND SAFETY TEAMS.
 B. LEVERAGING OF RESERVE SKILLS THROUGHOUT THE SECTOR FOR
EFFECTIVE MISSION PERFORMANCE AND PROMULGATION OF A STRATEGIC
CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN ENABLING THE SECTOR TO RELOCATE IN
THE EVENT OF CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
 C. AGGRESSIVELY SECURING 970 DAYS OF ADDITIONAL ACTIVE DUTY TIME
FOR RESERVE PERSONNEL RESULTED IN AN ADDITIONAL 50 PERSONAL
QUALIFICATIONS BEING EARNED.
 D. STRATEGICALLY PLACING RESERVE PERSONNEL IN THE WATCH, QUARTER
AND STATION BILL, INCREASING THE SECTORS RESPONSE POSTURE.
 E.  THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE RPAL ENHANCED TRAINING AND
ADMINISTRATIVE READINESS METRICS WITH A CROSS CHECK OF CGBI, DIRECT
ACCESS AND TMT DATA ON EACH MEMBERS SERVICE RECORD RESULTING IN A
10 PERCENT IDT PARTICIPATION IMPROVEMENT, A 2 PERCENT ADT
PARTICIPATION IMPROVEMENT, A 9 PERCENT IMPROVEMENT IN PHYSICAL EXAM
CURRENCY, A 11 PERCENT IMPROVEMENT IN DENTAL READINESS, A 6 PERCENT
INCREASE IN ASQ COMPLETION AND A BOOST IN TMT DATA INPUT.
3. SECTOR ST PETERSBURGS INTEGRATED RESERVE PROGRAM TRULY EMBODIES
THE TEAM COAST GUARD CONCEPT AND IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE
COMMANDANTS RESERVE POLICY STATEMENT.
4. THE SPARKS AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF SECTOR
ST PETERSBURG AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE ROA NATIONAL
CONVENTION IN ATLANTA, GA, 25-28 JUN 2008.
5. POC: CWO GREG HUNTON, COMDT (CG-131), PHONE (202) 475-5461, E-
MAIL GREG.P.HUNTON(AT)USCG.MIL.
6. RDML D. R. MAY, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.