Coast Guard Unit Commendation awarded to USCGA

Luigi59

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Today at graduation, Admiral Allen awarded the academy a Coast Guard unit commendation for January 2007 to January 2010.

Coast_Guard_Unit_Commendation_ribbon.svg


The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime unit award that may be awarded to military commands of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was first created in 1963 and is presented to members of any Coast Guard unit that distinguishes itself by valorous or extremely meritorious service, not involving combat, but in support of Coast Guard operations.

The last time the academy received a unit commendation was in 1998.

:thumb:
 
Any indication for why the academy was awarded the unit comm?

Other than distinguishing itself by valorous or extremely meritorious service not involving combat in support of Coast Guard operations?

No, haven't heard yet.
 
I was not able to view the live stream of the graduation. Will it be on You Tube or other wise available to view on the Internet? Would like to hear Admiral Allen's address.
 
Any indication for why the academy was awarded the unit comm?

iCommandant - Web Journal of Admiral Thad Allen

Guardians,

Earlier today, I presided over the 129th Commencement ceremonies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Despite the overcast skies, the Academy grounds sparkled and the class of 2010 brightened the scenery in their dress whites. 193 cadets received their commissions as Ensigns and their Bachelor of Science degrees as they prepared to report to their first units later in June. Three international cadets also graduated and they will serve in their home countries.

It's always a pleasure to return to the Academy but this one was a little more special as I was delivering my last set of remarks to the Corps of Cadets before my own change of command on 25 May. My time as Commandant coincided with the class of 2010 so we shared a special connection. They have achieved amazing academic and athletic achievements while gaining valuable operational experience during their summer training programs. The Distinguished Graduate, First Class Matthew Delahunty, talked about the class of 2010's journey and he inspired everyone in attendance.

I fashioned my remarks on a similar theme emphasizing that these new Ensigns have a duty to reconcile future leadership opportunities with the competencies they will gain throughout their journey as officers. They have an obligation to live up to their class motto "Eternal Guardians of the Sea" and I'm confident they are up for the challenge. Their country needs them now more than ever as the value of Coast Guard missions increases with every passing year. I also took the opportunity to present the Academy with a Unit Commendation to recognize their outstanding efforts to educate and train future Coast Guard leaders.

It was a great Coast Guard day and one that I will always remember. Good luck to the class of 2010!

Admiral Thad W. Allen
 
Last year I recall Graduation video was posted. This year there may be some delays or technical glitches. My D reported there have been some significant electrical power failures on campus this week (some of which may persist for a few weeks). Perfect timing :eek:!
 
Message we received from Admissions today stated that they may be without power for the next week. Therefore email and phone are very sporadic.
 
Does the award only go to the class of 2010, or are now all of the cadets (2011, 2012, and 2013) authorized to wear it as well?

Depends on who was designated in the award. Not sure what they've done this year that is different from past years, but I'm sure they've earned it.
 
It is supposed to be from 2007 to 2010 so I guess anyone at the Academy in that time frame is eligible. From The Day:

Allen awarded the academy a Coast Guard unit commendation for January 2007 to January 2010, during which time the school produced about 1,000 ensigns who will "serve and strengthen our great nation." The last time the academy received a unit commendation was in 1998.
 
Eligibility requirements. All personnel assigned or attached to units authorized
unit awards are entitled to wear the associated ribbon or device subject to the conditions below.

The general eligibility requirements for unit awards are:

a. For Coast Guard unit awards approved on or after 31 January 1983, all Coast Guard active duty, Reserve, and Auxiliary personnel,
U.S. military, civilians, and foreign military personnel, are eligible for the award, if the person was assigned or attached to the cited unit and
was present during at least 50 percent of the award period with the following exceptions:

(1) Commanding officers or officers-in-charge of cited units may recommend
eligibility for personnel who did not meet the time criteria, but who
directly and positively contributed to the unit’s outstanding performance.
The awarding authority will make the final decision in these cases.

(2) If a person’s behavior during the cited period was considered detrimental
or obstructive to the unit’s high performance, even though the member
may have met the 50 percent criteria, then the unit award may be denied or
revoked for that person. The commanding officer or officer-in-charge
must provide documentation, such as from service record entries, NJP, or
courts-martial to the awarding authority who will make the final decision
in these cases.

b. All unit awards must be accompanied by a list of eligible personnel. The list
will identify all personnel by rank or rate, name, EMPLID, and category (i.e.,
military, civilian, Auxiliary). When computing the 50 percent time criteria,
all leave, TAD, and “bad time” is deducted. Normal liberty is not deducted
except if applicable for extremely short award periods. With the exception of
the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, the list must be broken
down into the following categories:

(1) Personnel meeting the 50 percent criteria or specifically recommended;

(2) Personnel not meeting the 50 percent criteria or specifically not
recommended in accordance with paragraph 3.A.1.a.(2).

 
i'd like to think that my "subordination" contributed to the growth of recent ensigns:shake:.
 
By the 50% criteria Luigi posted -
Classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011 should clearly meet. :thumb:
Classes of 2008 (graduating May 2008) and 2012 (entering very late June 2008) may be 'just under' (by a few weeks) the 50% threshold. I really don't know how leave periods, etc. may affect calculation - I'm just going by months). Will probably be a command decision and CGA will provide guidance to those classes.

Classes of 2007 & 2013 probably would not meet the 50% threshold.
Will need to stay tuned for information provided by command to CGA alumni and cadets.

Regardless of who gets to wear the ribbon it is a great accomplishment and something for all to be proud of.

Thanks for the update, Luigi.
 

......
(1) Commanding officers or officers-in-charge of cited units may recommend
eligibility for personnel who did not meet the time criteria, but who
directly and positively contributed to the unit’s outstanding performance.
The awarding authority will make the final decision in these cases.
.......
b. All unit awards must be accompanied by a list of eligible personnel. The list
will identify all personnel by rank or rate, name, EMPLID, and category (i.e.,
military, civilian, Auxiliary). When computing the 50 percent time criteria,
all leave, TAD, and “bad time” is deducted. Normal liberty is not deducted
except if applicable for extremely short award periods. With the exception of
the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, the list must be broken
down into the following categories:


It will be interesting to see which groups the awarding authority has included in this recognition (since list probably already provided with the unit award). Sounds like it is at the Commanding Officer's discretion to include individuals that do not meet the time-in-unit requirements.
 
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