ALCOAST 023/09
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: FY08 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 FY2008 IS
PORT SECURITY UNIT (PSU) 309, PORT CLINTON, OH.
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 309 DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY READINESS AND OMBUDSMAN
SUPPORT DURING THEIR RECENT DEPLOYMENT IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION
IRAQI FREEDOM. IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL UNIT SPONSORED FAMILY EVENTS
THAT DRAW SHIPMATES, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS,THE UNIT PROMOTES
CAMARADERIE AND OPEN COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH ITS CONSTANT FOCUS ON
ITS FAMILIES AND THE PREPARATIONS FOR CHALLENGES THAT ARISE WHEN
THE UNIT DEPLOYS.  THE UNIT OMBUDSMAN EFFECTIVELY LEVERAGED
TECHNOLOGY TO OVERCOME THE SIGNIFICANT GEOGRAPHICAL DISTANCES THAT
SEPARATED THE UNITS FAMILIES WHEN DEPLOYED.  HE WORKED TIRELESSLY
TO ENSURE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS, UNIT PERSONNEL AND COMMAND CADRE
WERE ALWAYS WELL INFORMED THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, TELEPHONE CALLS AND
EMAIL.  THIS DIRECTLY AND POSITIVELY AFFECTED UNIT MORALE AND
MISSION PERFORMANCE.
4. CONGRATULATIONS TO PSU 309 FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO FAMILY
SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
5. THE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED BY OASD-RA ON 13 FEB 2009 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. RDML D. R. MAY, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.