In the second part of the history of African-Americans serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, we recognize several members who have made an impact on the Coast Guard and the many firsts they have accomplished.
Tag: Manson Brown
It was a chilly morning to start the Face of America bicycle ride in Arlington, Virginia when Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft motioned toward nearly 150 disabled cyclists and addressed the gathered crowd, “If you don’t know what TEAM stands for it’s ‘The Exceptional Athlete Matters” and, if you look toward the veterans who are determined to ride 110 miles, you’ll see our exceptional athletes. We’re all going to finish together and this is going to be an awesome ride.”
Coast Guard All Hands sends out a bravo zulu to retired Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown on his selection to be President Barack Obama’s nominee for Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction at the Department of Commerce. In a statement issued by the White House, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Brown, the former U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.
Vice Admiral Brown’s strategic vision translated the Year of the Coast Guard Family into a program of sustained focus under the Family Campaign Plan. The reinvigorated effort improved family housing, access to family services abd innovative support programs. As the Coast Guard Executive Agent for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Vice Admiral Brown concpetualized and implemented a robust campaign to eliminate sexual assault in the Coast Guard. In close coordination with the White House and the Department of Defense, he guided an Executive Council to identify concerns and improve sexual assault prevention and response policies.
For first class cadets – seniors at the academy, this time of year brings with it a powerful blend of pride, nostalgia and eagerness to graduate and report to their first duty stations as ensigns in the U.S. Coast Guard. Some graduates report to shore units, others to cutters. A select few receive orders directly to flight school training in Pensacola, Fla. Such is the case with Cadet 1st Class Andre Jones-Butler.
I fully recognize that this recent incident might increase stress levels within our workforce and I ask each of you to continue to look after each other in caring and compassionate ways. If you sense a concern with yourself or others, I encourage you to seek appropriate help through our work-life programs (1-800-855-CGSUPRT and http://www.cgsuprt.com) or the Chaplain network.
“I believe we can eradicate sexual assault from our ranks and I reject the notion that it is the cost of doing business,” said Deputy Commandant for Missions Support Vice Adm. Manson Brown. “We have to believe we can eradicate this problem from our ranks. It has to be the core belief of this campaign. We as leaders, at all levels, need to realize there is a higher expectation for us than for those in the rest of society.”
More than 150 Coast Guard men and women are gathered at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a two-day summit on Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. The purpose of the summit, and the call to action for attendees, is reflected in the summit’s theme, “One Team, One Fight – Empowering People, Building Trust, Changing Culture.”
The sexual Assault Prevention and Response Military Campaign Office is a strategically focused office responsible to rapidly operationalize and implement the Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategic Plan. The office is responsible for the rapid implementation of near-term strategies that will create the processes, training regimens, measurements, and support system integrity that will best position the service to achieve the ultimate goal of eliminating sexual assault from the service.
Take a moment to think back – can you remember the people who influenced you the most in your life? Maybe a special teacher, a talented athlete or even one of your parents? Role models are important – they challenge us, inspire us and help us become the best person we can be. Currently, more than 150 Coast Guard units actively provide role models for students in schools all across the nation through Coast Guard’s Partnership in Education programs.