ALCOAST 106/09
COMDTNOTE 5400
SUBJ: REVIEW OF COAST GUARD CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM
1. IN APRIL 2008, I INITIATED A REQUEST TO DHS FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF
THE COAST GUARD OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS BY THE DHS OFFICE FOR CIVIL
RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (CRCL) WHICH REVIEWS SUB-COMPONENTS
PERIODICALLY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMANDANTS EMPHASIS ON
TRANSPARENCY.  IN SEPTEMBER 2008, ALCOAST 421/08 ANNOUNCED THAT
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON (BAH) WAS AWARDED A CONTRACT TO CONDUCT THE
REVIEW FOR DHS AND THAT WHEN THE REVIEW WAS CONCLUDED, THE RESULTS
WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONNEL.  ON FEBRUARY 9TH BAH
PRESENTED THE FINAL REPORT TO DHS AND THE COAST GUARD.  DHS HAS
OFFICIALLY ENDORSED THE REVIEW FOR THE COAST GUARDS CONSIDERATION
OF ACTION AND IMPLEMENTATION.
2. I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR BAHS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
SUPPORTED BY THE INVALUABLE PARTICIPATION OF HQ AND FIELD CIVIL
RIGHTS PERSONNEL AND FORMER PERSONNEL.  THE REVIEW WAS INTENDED AS
A TOP TO BOTTOM ASSESSMENT OF THE COAST GUARD CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM
TO HELP DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE STRUCTURE, POLICIES,
PROCEDURES, AND PERSONNEL OF THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE
CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM ARE MEETING COAST GUARD EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
MISSIONS AND COMPLY WITH EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
REGULATIONS.  BAH CONDUCTED A CRITICAL REVIEW AND PRODUCED A VERY
TIMELY AND WELL WRITTEN REPORT THAT CONSTRUCTIVELY EXAMINES OUR
EXISTING ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, REPORTING CHAINS, STAFFING,
CULTURE, COMMUNICATIONS AND POLICY OBJECTIVES.
3. THE REVIEW REAFFIRMED MANY POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE COAST GUARD
CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM. THE REPORT ALSO MAKES CLEAR THERE IS WORK
AHEAD. FOREMOST, CONSISTENT WITH PAST SIMILAR STUDIES, THE BAH TEAM
FOUND WE MUST RESTRUCTURE THE EEO FUNCTION, AND SECONDARILY, SHORE
UP OUR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PRODUCT LINES
SO THAT THEY MORE OPTIMALLY SUPPORT OUR CIVIL RIGHTS SERVICE
PROVIDERS AND WORKFORCE.
4. THE COAST GUARD OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS WILL PROCEED WITH A
CAREFUL, BUT EXPEDITIOUS REVIEW OF THE BAH REPORT TO IDENTIFY AN
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR IMMEDIATELY ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS
AND TO INCORPORATE RESOURCE-INTENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS INTO A MULTI-
YEAR STRATEGY.  THE COMMANDANT HAS STATED THAT THE COAST GUARD
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL WILL EVALUATE BROAD ISSUES AND NEEDS IDENTIFIED
IN THE REPORT TO ENSURE SERVICE-WIDE SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE COAST
GUARDS OVERALL MODERNIZATION EFFORTS.  PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICE OF
CIVIL RIGHTS WEB SITE WHERE THE BAH REPORT WILL BE POSTED AND WHERE
WE WILL PUBLISH PERIODIC UPDATES TO ACTION STEPS TO CONTINUOUSLY
IMPROVE SERVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.  THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE ON THE
WHATS NEW TAB AT: HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/CG00/CG00H/NEWS/NEWS.ASP.
5.  COMDT (CG-00H) POC: CDR P. KOFI ABOAGYE, (202) 372-4502.
6.  T. A. DICKERSON, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS, SENDS.
7.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.