Change of Command of the United States Coast Guard

Shipmates,
Today in Washington D.C. the command of the Coast Guard was passed from ADM Allen to ADM Papp completing the transition of the senior leadership of our service. I encourage each of you to visit the USCG.mil leadership page and view our 24th Commandant's message to the service. It is midway down the page on the right side and labeled "Message from the Commandant".

http://www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership/

Update: here is the video



Update: ADM Papp's message to all hands





From: Papp, Robert ADM
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 8:21 PM
Subject: Setting The Watch

Shipmates,

I am honored to serve as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard. When I
assumed the duties from Admiral Thad Allen at noon today, it concluded a
series of key rotations and marked the setting of a new watch to lead our
service.

Serving with me on this watch are Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Vice
Commandant, Master Chief Michael Leavitt, Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Coast Guard and Master Chief Mark Allen, Master Chief Petty Officer of
Reserve Forces. Each assumed their duties over the past ten days. They are
all very experienced professionals who have been tried and tested in the
field. We are also joined by Vice Admiral Robert Parker, Commander,
Atlantic Area, Vice Admiral Manson Brown, Commander Pacific Area, Vice
Admiral John Currier, Chief-of-Staff and Future Deputy Commandant of Mission
Support and Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, Deputy Commandant for Operations. I
am proud to serve alongside this exceptionally talented group of leaders.

My watch will be guided by the following vision for our service:

We are defined by our missions, people and heritage. We will selflessly
serve our country and perform our duties in a manner that secures the trust
and confidence of mariners and citizens alike. We will set a course that
steadies the service, honors our profession, strengthens our partnerships
and respects our shipmates.

This vision will be achieved by the incoming watch through clear focus on
select projects and initiatives currently under way in our service. Instead
of creating new tasking, we intend to emphasize vital initiatives, leverage
teams that are in place now and move these efforts forward to completion. I
will provide more specifics in the coming weeks.

I often use the term Shipmate. You need to know that this is a team of
endearment for me that represents a common bond across the entire Coast
Guard family and all mission communities. There is no higher compliment in
my opinion than being called a Shipmate and no better goal than being a good
one.

Admiral Allen will continue his service as the National Incident Commander
for the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill managing the overall federal response.
I am glad he accepted this last assignment as it will enable me to focus on
the Coast Guard's response, and serving you as Commandant of the Coast
Guard. Admiral Allen is a true public servant and visionary, I thank him
for his service.

I encourage all Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian, auxiliary,
families and retirees to bookmark and initiate RSS feed from the senior
leadership web page at WWW.USCG.MIL/SENIORLEADERSHIP. We intend to use this
location during our watch to post information and address subjects that are
important to our service.

All standing orders remain in effect, set the watch and carry out the
routine of the day.

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp