The standards by which we judge ourselves

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
You should have received an ALAUX message (017/11) from the Chief Director of Auxiliary today that links to Commandant Papp's guidance to Coast Guard Officer Selection Boards. While this guidance is directly applicable to a few members of our service, those serving on these Boards, it is broadly applicable to each of us who wears the Coast Guard uniform or is a member of our civilian employee component. These are the attributes the Commandant and senior leadership of the service expect of each of us.

HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/PSC/OPM/OPM1/Opm1docs/Boards/PY12docs/PY12%20CCG%20Guidance%20to%20Boards%20and%20Panels%20SIGNED.pdf

I've been reading these guidance documents for a number of years. It has proven a valuable opportunity to judge my own performance against a set of standards. By my own estimation there have been places I have met the measure as well as others where I've discovered opportunities for personal improvement. These are also the standards by which I judge those who I serve as a leader, our members, and those senior to me in the Auxiliary.

I strongly encourage each of you to review the Commandant's guidance. I hope you find it useful as you chart your path to service. Thank you for that service.

Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren