SUBJ: ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARD
SOLICITATION
A. MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25 (SERIES)
1. BACKGROUND.
  A. FORMED IN 1976, THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) IS A
NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION WHICH SUPPORTS SERVICES CONCERNED WITH SAVING
LIVES AT SEA. THE AFRAS AWARDS PROGRAM PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR AREA AND DISTRICT COMMANDERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS, AND
OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE TO RECOGNIZE DESERVING COAST GUARD PERSONNEL FOR
BRAVERY IN THE CONDUCT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS.
  B. THE AFRAS GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS ARE THE HIGHEST SEARCH AND
RESCUE AWARDS PRESENTED TO A COAST GUARD MEMBER BY A CIVILIAN
ORGANIZATION.
    (1) GOLD MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 1982, THE GOLD MEDAL IS
PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO A COAST GUARD ENLISTED MAN OR WOMAN FOR AN
ACT OF EXTRAORDINARY BRAVERY DURING A RESCUE AT SEA.
    (2) SILVER MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 2000, THE SILVER MEDAL (SILVER
TO DENOTE THE UNIFORM MARKINGS OF A CG AUXILIARIST AS OPPOSED TO
THE GOLD ON CG ACTIVE DUTY UNIFORMS) IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO A
DESERVING CG AUXILIARIST. SILVER MEDAL CRITERIA IS THE SAME AS FOR
THE GOLD MEDAL: THE ACTIVE AUXILIARIST MUST HAVE PERFORMED A RESCUE
INVOLVING THE SAVING OF A LIFE OR LIVES FROM EITHER INLAND OR
COASTAL WATERS WHERE THE HEROIC ACTION OF THE NOMINEE WAS UNIQUELY
DISTINGUISHED.  HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES
INVOLVING LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.
2. AWARDS PRESENTATION. BOTH THE GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS WILL BE
PRESENTED 23 SEPT 09, AT A CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON, DC. THIS
CEREMONY IS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AFRAS MEMBERS, THE
COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD AND OTHER SENIOR COAST GUARD
PERSONNEL. THE RECIPIENTS FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND
THE CEREMONY.
3. AFRAS AWARD ELIGIBILITY. AFRAS ESTABLISHED AWARD CRITERIA ARE
LISTED IN REF (A) AND REPEATED BELOW:
  A. NOMINEES FOR THE GOLD MEDAL AWARD MUST BE ENLISTED MEMBERS ON
ACTIVE DUTY AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. NOMINEES FOR THE SILVER AWARD
MUST BE COAST GUARD AUXILIARISTS AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.
  B. THE EVENT MUST INVOLVE A LIFESAVING RESCUE FROM SEA WHERE THE
HEROIC ACTION OF THE PERSON BEING NOMINATED IS UNIQUELY
DISTINGUISHED.  HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES
INVOLVING LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS.
  C. THE RESCUE MUST HAVE OCCURRED IN THE 2008 CALENDAR YEAR.
4. ADMINISTRATION.
  A. SUBORDINATE UNITS SHOULD SUBMIT NOMINATIONS THROUGH THE CHAIN
OF COMMAND. DISTRICT AWARDS BOARDS SHOULD REVIEW ALL NOMINATIONS TO
ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE CRITERIA.
  B. NOMINATIONS SHOULD CONSIST OF:
    (1) A SHORT COVER LETTER INDICATING THE NOMINEES NAME, PAY
GRADE (IF APPLICABLE), CURRENT DUTY STATION/AUXILIARY FLOTILLA, AND
EXPIRATION OF ENLISTMENT DATE (IF APPLICABLE).
    (2) FORM CG-1650 (COAST GUARD AWARD RECOMMENDATION).
    (3) ONE PAGE AWARD CITATION.
    (4) 1-2 PAGE SUMMARY OF ACTION THAT FULLY DOCUMENTS EVENT.
    (5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE AWARDS EVALUATION.
  C. MAIL COMMAND ENDORSED NOMINATIONS TO: COMMANDANT (CG-534),
2100 2ND STREET SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-0001. ATTN: AFRAS
NOMINATIONS.
  D. ALL AWARD NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY COMDT (CG-534) NLT
12JUN09.
5. COMDT (CG-534) AFRAS AWARD POC: MS WILLIE FOSTER (202) 372-2090.
AWARDS NOMINATION ADVANCE COPIES CAN BE EMAILED TO MS FOSTER AT:
WILLIE.M.FOSTER(AT)USCG.MIL.
6. ADDITIONAL AFRAS AWARD INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT
WWW.AFRAS.ORG.
7. RDML J.R. CASTILLO, DIRECTOR OF RESPONSE SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.