BM "A" School Graduation

This morning I travelled to TRACEN Yorktown and was priviledged to speak at the February 2010 BM "A" school graduation. I was invited a few months ago by then SN Christopher Wane who was a member of the CGC SEA FOX commissioning crew. He is pictured at right and below as I pin his "crows" at the pinning ceremony.

I always enjoy speaking at these events. Since I spent most of my career as a Boatswain's Mate I felt that I was able to deliver a particularly relevent message to these young leaders.

I talked about the incredibly significant opportunity of command. The fact that alone of all the Armed Services the Coast Guard grants this opportunity to enlisted personnel. I spoke of what I believe are the most important responsibilities of Boatswains Mates at all levels of the rating. To operationally execute the mission through their people... how to operate safely and keep their people safe.

It was a great morning... the future is bright for our service.

MCPOCG Bowen

Over the last two days I attended the Professional Housing Management Association’s housing conference in Atlanta, GA. About 1,000 housing management officials from all five services were in attendance. This is a great event and the Coast Guard was well represented. Yesterday afternoon I spoke at the senior enlisted seminar portion of the event. Senior enlisted advisors spoke for a few minutes about their individual housing situations and then for about two hours fielded questions from the crowd.

Today was the Coast Guard service day. We presented awards to some of our great housing personnel. Award winners were Bryan Turner from Ketchikan, Kevin LeClair from South West Harbor, and Carolyn Woods from Alameda. As I’ve travelled I’ve met quite a few of these folks. I’ve been impressed by their dedication and passion for our people. I would like to publically thank our top housing official Melissa Fredrickson for aggressively pursuing ways to better house our people. She has been relentless in her quest for legislation and resources.

The Coast Guard’s situation is unique in that we alone have not been able to enter into Public/Private ventures (PPV) to manage and rebuild our housing. The Department of Defense services have been able to rebuild most of their housing through PPV. It is a long story as to why the Coast Guard has not been able to take part in this and if anyone is really interested I would be glad to answer you individually. In any event through many entities efforts, all the way up to First Lady Michelle Obama we have been successful in adding 14 million dollars to the FY11 Coast Guard budget specifically for housing. Further we are seeking legislation that would give us much more expansive authorities related to the use of the housing fund the 14 million will reside in. The authorities would allow us to sell unneeded Coast Guard property, place the proceeds in the fund, and then apply the funds directly to housing needs. Since we have quite a few properties all over the nation that we do not need this could result in quite a lot of money for housing over the next few years. More to follow as we pursue the needed legislation…

In any event this was a great time and I enjoyed spending it with folks that are so important to our personnel at large. Attached are photos of myself and the four other senior enlisted advisors on the panel and one of myself with all of our Coast Guard housing managers. I’m proud to be holding a plaque they gave me making me an “honorary housing program manager advocate.”… I’m not totally sure what that is but I’m very glad to be one.

MCPOCG Skip Bowen

BLACKTHORN Memorial 30th Anniversary

Last thursday I attended the 30th Anniversary of the USCGC BLACKTHORN collision and sinking. I've attended this ceremony many times in my career and it always holds a special meaning for me. I was a brand new 3rd class Boatswains Mate at the time of the collision. Stationed on board the CGC POINT SWIFT out of Clearwater Beach, FL we were about 100 miles out in the Gulf straight off Tampa Bay when the collision occured. I remember getting the word as the bridge watch made a sharp course change and brought the engines up to top speed.

The next morning forever changed my life... we entered Tampa Bay just about dawn and approached the skyway bridge. Coast Guard and other rescue agency craft were all over the area searching. It was a pretty difficult time... we searched, but we found no one alive. It was the first time I had to really come face to face with how fragile human life is.

The picture I inserted shows a young Petty Officer about to place a rose on the memorial. He looks about the same age I was at the time of the accident... the same age as many of those who were lost that fateful night in January 1980.

As you conduct operations this winter I would ask that you remember the BLACKTHORN and the 23 Coast Guardsmen killed that night. Remember that no operation is completely safe... the BLACKTHORN was simply outbound Tampa Bay after a yard period.

Operate at a safe speed, stay within standards, manage risk. The best memorial we can give to the BLACKTHORN crewmembers we lost is to stay safe.

MCPOCG Bowen

PSU 301 returns from Kuwait

Photos courtesy CapeCodToday.com

Top: PO Sergio Maldonado, Jr holds his 3 month old son, Serigo III.

Middle: PSU 301....arriving.

Bottom: Families and friends welcome their loved ones home.

I had the privilege of meeting the members of PSU 301 last Friday night when they arrived at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island along with RDML Dean Lee, Command Deployable Operations Group and MCPO Darrell Odom, DOG RCMC. The unit was returning from a 7 month deployment to Kuwait where they provided waterside and shoreside security for high value assets. It was great to ride on one of the busses from the airport back to Cape Cod where over 500 family members and friends turned out to welcome the unit home at a brief but emotional ceremony held in the hanger at Air Station Cape Cod. Bravo Zulu 301! Welcome home. MCPOCGRF Jeff Smith

Prospective Master Chief of the Coast Guard Mike Leavitt

I've already been asked about my soon to be relief, Master Chief Mike Leavitt. I've know him a while and I can tell you that he is a pretty humble person who has accomplished some awesome things during his Coast Guard career.

I saw this picture posted on military.com and thought that I would re-post it here. I think it says it all about Mike. For this rescue he earned the Coast Guard Medal.

Congrats again to Master Chief Michael Leavitt! Soon to be the 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard.

MCPOCG Skip Bowen

U.S. Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class John Duncan and Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Michael Leavitt support a young man who they rescued from the waters at the end of the North Jetty after a rogue wave swept the man off the jetty.

New Master Chief of the Coast Guard Reserve Force!

All, After an extensive process Admiral Papp has made his decision. I would like to add my congratulations to Master Chief Mark Allen. I've known him for many years and his passion for our Coast Guard and our people is amazing. He is a great choice to be the senior enlisted of the Reserve Force.
C.W. BowenMCPOCG

I would also like to offer my congratulations to BMCM Mark Allen as the next Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Force. I have known MCPO Allen since 1999 and I am confident he will be an effective member of Admiral Papp’s leadership team.
MCPOCGRF Jeff Smith

Original Message-----From: National Command Center Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 1:55 AMTo: National Command CenterSubject: FW: SELECTION OF MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD, R 240625Z JAN 10 COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//R 240625Z JAN 10 ZUI ASN-AM1024000003FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//TO ALCOASTBTUNCLAS //N01401//ALCOAST 034/10COMDTNOTE 1401

SUBJ: SELECTION OF MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARDRESERVE FORCE
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTION OF BMCM MARK H. ALLEN ASTHE NEXT MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVEFORCE. HE WILL RELIEVE MCPO-CGRF JEFFREY D. SMITH DURING A CHANGEOF WATCH CEREMONY ON 15 MAY 2010 AT TISCOM, ALEXANDRIA, VA.
2. BMCM ALLEN CURRENTLY SERVES AS SECTOR JACKSONVILLE'S RESERVECOMMAND MASTER CHIEF AND HAILS FROM FORT WASHINGTON, MD. HEENLISTED IN THE COAST GUARD IN APRIL 1977 AND HAS SERVED IN THELEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COAST GUARD RESERVEAFFAIRS BRANCH AT CGHQ, STATION ST. INIGOES (MD), STATIONWASHINGTON (DC), AND STATION ALEXANDRIA (VA). BMCM ALLEN HAS BEENRECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN RESPONSE TO CONTINGENCIES SUCH AS THE9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS, EL TORO II SINKING, AIR FLORIDA FLIGHT 90CRASH, AND MARIEL BOAT LIFT. HE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THECOAST GUARD RESERVIST EDITORIAL BOARD. BMCM ALLEN HAS ALSO BEEN APERSONAL MENTOR TO ME REGARDING RESERVE AFFAIRS AND HAS PROVEN YOUCAN LEAD FROM ANY LEVEL IN AN ORGANIZATION.
3. BMCM ALLEN HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR CORE VALUES OFHONOR, RESPECT, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY BY HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCEDURING A 32-YEAR COAST GUARD CAREER.4. A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING MASTER CHIEFS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDSAPPLIED FOR THIS IMPORTANT AND PRESTIGIOUS POSITION. AFTER A REVIEWOF ALL CANDIDATES, THREE FINALISTS WERE CHOSEN FOR INTERVIEWS THISPAST WEEK. THE NAMES OF ALL APPLICANTS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY:
PACM THOMAS COWAN FORCECOM
RCMCMECM ERIC JOHNSON SECTOR SAN JUAN CMC
MECM Darrell C. ODOM DOG RCMC
BMCM KENNETH J. ROCHE STA SHINNECOCK
BMCM GEORGE M. WILLIAMSON D5 RCMC
EACH CANDIDATE HAD A STELLAR RECORD AND REPRESENTED THE VERY BESTIN OUR ENLISTED WORK FORCE. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIRPAST SERVICE, DEDICATION TO THE COAST GUARD AND THANK THEM FORTHEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN THIS POSITION.
5. RELEASED BY ADM THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, U.S. COAST GUARD
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
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New Master Chief of the Coast Guard!

All,
Per below, After an extensive process Admiral Papp has made his decision. I'd like to add my congratulations to Master Chief Leavitt. He has the diverse leadership and organizational experience to truly make a positive difference for our service and our people.

C.W. BowenMCPOCG

-----Original Message-----From: National Command CenterSent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 1:55 AMTo: National Command CenterSubject: FW: SELECTION OF MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD, R 240618Z JAN 10 COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//R 240618Z JAN 10 ZUI ASN-AM1024000002FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00//TO ALCOASTBTUNCLAS //N01401//ALCOAST 033/10COMDTNOTE 1401

SUBJ: SELECTION OF MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTION OF BMCM MICHAEL P.LEAVITT AS THE NEXT MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD.HE WILL RELIEVE MCPOCG CHARLES (SKIP) BOWEN DURING A CHANGE OFWATCH CEREMONY ON 21 MAY 2010 AT TRAINING CENTER CAPE MAY, NJ.
2. BMCM LEAVITT, THE CURRENT SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE DEPUTYCOMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS, HAILS FROM FRUITLAND, ID AND ENLISTED INMAY 1982. HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS AFLOAT AND ASHORE ASSIGNMENTS,AT ALL LEVELS, INCLUDING OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) OF STATION MAUI(HI), USCGC POINT DORAN (WA), STATION HATTERAS (NC), STATIONOCRACOKE (NC), STATION HUMBOLDT BAY (CA), STATION TILLAMOOK BAY(OR), AND STATION CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT (WA). HE HAS EARNED APERMANENT CUTTERMAN INSIGNIA, SURFMAN INSIGNIA, BOAT FORCESOPERATIONS INSIGNIA AND OIC AFLOAT AND ASHORE DEVICES.
3. BMCM LEAVITT HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR CORE VALUESOF HONOR, RESPECT AND DEVOTION TO DUTY BY HIS OUTSTANDINGPERFORMANCE DURING A 27-YEAR COAST GUARD CAREER. LAST SUMMER MYFATHER AND I HELD AN ALL HANDS AT STATION TILLAMOOK TO COMMEMORATEMY PARENTS 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. THEY MET AND WERE MARRIED INTILLAMOOK, OREGON. WE WERE PROUD TO STAND WITH THE CREW AND MASTERCHIEF LEAVITT AT A VERY PERSONAL MOMENT. MY FATHER SENDS HIS BESTWISHES TO MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT, AS DO I.
4. A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING MASTER CHIEFS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDSAPPLIED FOR THIS IMPORTANT AND PRESTIGIOUS POSITION. A SCREENINGPANEL WAS CONDUCTED AND SIX FINALISTS WERE INTERVIEWED THIS PASTWEEK. THE NAMES OF ALL APPLICANTS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY:
BMCM THOMAS A. BOTZENHART D5
CMCYNCM LEILANI L. CALE-JONES D14
CMCBMCM STEVEN W. CANTRELL CG-09
CMCEMCM BRYON R. CLEMONS LANTAREA
CMCMCPO JACK M. GOODHUE CG PSC
CMCEMCM KEVIN D. ISHERWOOD DCMS CMC
OSCM PENNY A. KOONS MFPU BANGOR CMC
TCCM JOHN F. NIECE USCGA CMC
AVTCM MARVIN R. WELLS PACAREA CMC
EACH CANDIDATE HAD A STELLAR RECORD AND REPRESENTED THE VERY BESTIN OUR ENLISTED WORK FORCE. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIRPAST SERVICE, DEDICATION TO THE COAST GUARD, AND THANK THEM FORTHEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN THIS POSITION.
5. RELEASED BY ADM THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, U.S. COAST GUARD6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
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