ALCOAST 133/09
COMDTNOTE 1750
SUBJ: OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY
A. OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, COMDTINST 1750.4 (SERIES)
1. SINCE 1986 OMBUDSMEN HAVE SERVED AS A VITAL LINK BETWEEN COAST
GUARD COMMANDS AND FAMILIES. THESE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS DONATE
THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT WHICH ENABLES EXECUTION
OF OUR MANY CHALLENGING MISSIONS.
2. OMBUDSMEN ASSIST UNITS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING INFORMATION
ABOUT FAMILY SERVICES, SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE, COAST GUARD AND UNIT
POLICIES, ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO FAMILY MEMBERS, FAMILY
BENEFITS AND OTHER INFORMATION TO MINIMIZE DISRUPTION RELATED TO
RELOCATION AND DEPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION, OMBUDSMEN SERVE AS A
LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMMANDING OFFICER OR OFFICER-IN-CHARGE AND
FAMILIES TO PROVIDE INSIGHT ON THE STATE OF THE UNIT, AND TO
ENABLE A PROACTIVE RESPONSE TO MIMIMIZE OR PRECLUDE THE IMPACT
FAMILY CONCERNS MAY HAVE ON UNIT MISSION READINESS.
3. PER REF A, THE LAST FRIDAY IN MARCH IS DESIGNATED AS COAST
GUARD OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY. UNIT OMBUDSMEN CAN BE RECOGNIZED
AT A LUNCHEON, FAMILY NIGHT, RECEPTION, ALL-HANDS MEETING, OR
OTHER APPROPRIATE GATHERING. APPRECIATION MAY BE EXPRESSED IN A
LETTER OF RECOGNITION, AN APPRECIATION CERTIFICATE, SPECIAL
MENTION IN A COMMAND NEWSLETTER, A SWIVEL SHOT AWARD NOMINATION,
OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO
COMMAND FAMILIES.
4. COMMANDANT (CG-1112) CAN GENERATE OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION
CERTIFICATES. UNITS SHOULD PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO
THE OMBUDSMAN COORDINATOR AT THEIR REGIONAL WORK-LIFE STAFF TO
FACILITATE PREPARATION OF THE CERTIFICATES: COMMAND NAME,
OMBUDSMANS NAME, OMBUDSMANS YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COMMAND, AND
TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE AS AN OMBUDSMAN FOR THE COAST GUARD. TO
ENSURE CERIFICATE IS RECEIVED WITH SUFFICIANT TIME THE DEADLINE
FOR INFORMATION TO YOUR OMBUDSMAN COORDINATOR IS 12 MARCH 2009.
5. ALTHOUGH THE OFFICIAL OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY IS 27 MARCH
THIS YEAR, ANOTHER DAY MAY BE CHOSEN TO HONOR YOUR OMBUDSMAN AS
SCHEDULES PERMIT. MY DESIRE IS THAT EACH COMMAND SET ASIDE SOME
TIME DURING THE YEAR TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THEIR OMBUDSMANS
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.
6. MRS. JANET BOWEN, OUR OMBUDSMAN-AT-LARGE, MRS. MARILYN SMITH,
OUR RESERVE OMBUDSMAN-AT-LARGE, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONVEY TO
EACH OMBUDSMEN OUR HEARTFELT THANKS FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS
THEY HAVE MADE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO OUR COAST GUARD
FAMILY.
7. COMMANDANT (CG-1112) POC FOR OMBUDSMAN ISSUES IS MR. RODNEY
WHALEY AT (202)475-5158 OR E-MAIL: RODNEY.B.WHALEY(AT)USCG.MIL.
8. RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR HEALTH, SAFETY, WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.