USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment - May 2023: Respect Is Its Own Reward

Shipmates, please take a few minutes to discuss this information with your members at your next meeting.

 

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"You either believe that people respond to authority, or that they respond to kindness and inclusion. I'm

obviously in the latter camp. I think that people respond better to reward than punishment."

 

–Brian Eno

 

It is said that in the Auxiliary we are all recruiters. However, we are also all leaders.

 

We are all leaders, whether or not we want to admit it. Simply being a member of something bigger than yourself puts us in that position. Remember when you first started, you saw all the shipmates who previously joined your unit as those who probably knew way more than you did, and you looked to them for guidance and assistance. You may have thought that you might not be accepted by your peers. Almost by default, the new member sees all of us as leaders, not just elected or appointed ones.

 

What do we do with that responsibility? First, to our shipmates, we need to quickly assess their background, interests, and abilities. That's where we can shine--by demonstrating our

commitment to the Coast Guard Motto: Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. In Devotion to Duty, we show that we value our newest member's untapped diversity by making that

assessment, appointing a mentor, and get them involved right away. Respect is the basis of showing regard and consideration for others and their rights and ideas. Respecting others

encompasses diversity. It really covers everything. Everyone is obviously unique and brings their own skills and abilities to the Auxiliary. It is our job as leaders to support that diversity and by doing so, maximize what is set forth in the mission-set of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. By doing all this and aligning ourselves with that mission-set, we exemplify our dedication to high standards of behavior, and therefore edify Honor.

 

Shipmates, all these things help in rewarding our people. Rewards motivate people to work towards desired outcomes, whereas punishments can cause people to drop out or act out of fear rather than out of a desire to achieve a goal. Rewards, big or small, foster a positive atmosphere overall in any unit. Rewards provide people with recognition and appreciation for their work and can bring on increased productivity and satisfaction—leading to accomplishments. Our discussion here was more focused on intangible rewards, but the

tangible—public praise, an informal letter or certificate of appreciation, formal recognitions, and medals are necessary as well. Use them all to continue to make all of us successful.

 

By: Michael Brown, BC-DUP Outreach (Diversity & Inclusion Directorate)

 

Submitted by: COMO David G. Porter -  Special Projects, D&I

 

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USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment September 2023 Public Service Defined

Please take some time to discuss this information with your shipmates at your next meeting. Utilizing these "Moments" fulfills Goal Category 1.3 in the NACO 3-Star Diversity application.***

"In a sense, people are our proper occupation. Our job is to do them good..." –Marcus Aurelius
Before Captain Zeita Merchant joined the Coast Guard, her professional life journey began with volunteer service in her local community. She credited her mother in encouraging that path for her as a young girl. Volunteering for different opportunities while growing up set the stage for and developed her passion for service. She clearly sees people as her 'proper occupation' and saw the Coast Guard as her conduit to that end.

As was mentioned in last month's Diversity Moment, the Coast Guard's decision long ago to open all its ranks and rates to qualified individuals, regardless of race, has paid dividends and provided numerous exceptional leaders like CAPT Merchant. Currently Commander, Sector New York, CAPT Merchant will become the first Black female to be promoted to the Flag rank of Rear Admiral, Lower Half (RDML). Her background is rich in high-academic achievements, as well as many Coast Guard awards -- including three Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals. Not at all surprising, given her commitment to making a positive difference at every level.
CAPT Merchant has said the biggest threat the military faces going into the 21st Century is the difficulty in adjusting to the needs of current members and prospective candidates. One of her priorities is to improve military recruitment and retention, particularly of women and underrepresented minorities.

Her story is our story: She began with volunteering, just like each of us in the Auxiliary. CAPT Merchant has said, "I feel as if we're responsible for giving back to not only the institutions that allow us to be where we are, but to help develop our future public servants. I truly believe there is no higher calling..." In each of us, there is a sense of duty to do something—anything to serve and help people. We would do well to follow her example – if CAPT Merchant was able to spectacularly achieve all she has with her background of volunteerism and service, think of all we can do as the Auxiliary with our thousands of varied and diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills.

Written by: Michael Brown, BC-DUP Outreach (Diversity & Inclusion Directorate)

COMO David G. Porter
Asst. National Commodore
National Diversity Team
US Coast Guard Auxiliary

August 2023 Diversity Moment: Ahead of the Curve

Please take some time to discuss this information with your shipmates at your next meeting. Please keep in mind that utilizing these "Moments" fulfills one of the requirements in the NACO 3-Star Diversity application.***

"Diversity requires commitment. Achieving superior performance, diversity can produce further action– most notably, a commitment to develop a culture of inclusion. People do not just need to be different; they need to be fully involved and feel their voices are heard."
–Alain Dehaze

Before President Truman in 1948 signed Executive Order 9981 ("...there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."), the United States Coast Guard had already taken steps to desegregate its ranks. By 1942, the Coast Guard adopted an official policy of allowing Black Americans to serve in all its rates, regardless of race. This was a significant move towards integration and diversity in the military, particularly during a time when racial segregation was still prevalent in many parts of American society.

As early as at the beginning of the Revenue Cutter Service, challenging barriers from wrongful discrimination, Black Americans served honorably and heroically alongside their White counterparts in war and peace. By the 1870s, Black Americans were first officially allowed to serve in the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Black personnel were assigned to the USCG-manned USS Sea Cloud in 1941, marking the first time such Americans served aboard a commissioned vessel in the regular Coast Guard. The following year, the Coast Guard adopted a policy of allowing African Americans to serve in all its rates.

The Coast Guard's decision to open all its rates to qualified individuals, regardless of race, was a decisively progressive step and served as a model for the larger required military desegregation efforts that were later implemented through Truman's order. The Coast Guard broke barriers that now allow all who wish to, to serve at all levels. The result? A stronger and more capable workforce.
As has been discussed before, American history has been one of an overall arc of progress. The Coast Guard, in all its iterations has been a step ahead of that curve. It has demonstrated that commitment by recognizing the superior performances of a diverse workforce. The Auxiliary is a proud part of that honorable tradition. Let's continue to strive in that direction.

Written by: Michael Brown, BC-DUP Outreach (Diversity & Inclusion Directorate)

Submitted by
COMO David G. Porter
Asst. National Commodore
National Diversity Team
US Coast Guard Auxiliary

August 2023 Diversity Moment: Ahead of the Curve