USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment...December 2024...Honoring Each Other

USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment

Diversity Officers, here’s an opportunity to start a discussion with your unit at your next gathering, and doing so, fulfill Goal Category 1.3 in the NACO 3-Star application. Leadership at all levels: Please consider adapting the ideas expressed here in leading yourselves, leading others, leading performance and change, and leading the Auxiliary.

December 2024

 

Honoring Each Other

 

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“Be prepared to appreciate what you meet.”
― Frank Herbert

 

A heavily frequented site at Gettysburg National Park is Spangler’s Spring, a natural spring on the former battlefield. It changed hands during the battle a few times, and for a while it was in between the lines. Legend has it that a truce was called during the night of July 2^nd, 1863, where both sides allowed the other to pass safely to the spring to fill their canteens. Despite the mythologized story of both sides peacefully sharing water from Spangler’s Spring, there are documented instances of brutal fighting with high casualty counts adjacent to that spot. In 1895, the War Department built a permanent stone and concrete monument over the spring. Although the water there is no longer available, the structure is still in place. Three bronze plaques are affixed to it with the following:

 

“Spangler’s Spring”

One country and one flag. The strife of brothers is past.

This spring supplied Union and Confederate soldiers with water during the battle.

 

 

This anecdote has become entrenched in the Gettysburg narrative, which promoted the broader movement for national reconciliation. Two bitterly opposed sides ended up bonding with each other. After a long and arduous struggle to reunify our nation, they were able to overcome the animosity that previously threatened to overwhelm our country. Whether some of the details of the legend were embellished, we can take the lesson and apply it today, especially in the light of recent political events: We must find what unites us and then leverage the best of our inherent diversity to make ways of promoting our goals.

 

The Auxiliary is no different, as a microcosm of our society at large, everyone is represented. Our sometimes-difficult tasking is to find ways to manage all the various personalities in our organization and get all of us fully involved. There is no escaping the natural diversity that makes up our membership.

 

This Diversity Moment is a call to appreciate the many varied talents available to us. Appreciated and respected shipmates will want to do more and better. Success cannot help but follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spangler’s Spring monument. Photo credit: unknown

 

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

 

 

Submitted by:

Thomas W. Bamford, DIR-D

National Director – D&I

U.S. Coast Guard Change Agent

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District

 

“Enthusiasm, Encouragement, Empowerment”

 

USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment...November 2024...Able to do the Job

 

USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment

Diversity Officers, here’s an opportunity to start a discussion with your unit at your next gathering, and doing so, fulfill Goal Category 1.3 in the NACO 3-Star application. Leadership at all levels: Please consider adapting the ideas expressed here in leading yourselves, leading others, leading performance and change, and leading the Auxiliary.

November 2024

 

Able to do the Job

 

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“Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.” ― Khang Kijarro Nguyen

Auxiliarist Alexander Urciuoli is a member of Flotilla 6-4 in Monterey, California. Alex has had Cerebral Palsy (CP) since birth, and his condition restricts his mobility. When he first discovered the Auxiliary online, he wondered what the physical requirements would be so that he could contribute to that intriguing organization.

After calling the local Flotilla Commander (FC), Alex found out that there are no physical restrictions to becoming an Auxiliarist. The FC said that he should find the things he wanted to do, and train to do them. Alex attended the next flotilla meeting and was invited to become a Watchstander at the local CG station. He immediately began training, and a year and a half later, in 2011, he earned his Watchstander qualification. Alex has served continuously in that role since then, exemplifying Devotion to Duty.

Of his accomplishments in the Auxiliary, Alex is proudest of taking the Watch every week. “I love working with the crew at Station Monterey,” he said. “For me, watchstanding never gets old.” Despite being a husband, father, and full-time high school teacher, he has consistently dedicated his time to personal and professional development, including becoming an Air Observer, earning his AUXOP, and serving in leadership.

If we are to continue gaining quality members, our recruitment posture should emphasize inclusion. By integrating strategies such as leadership commitment, an overall supportive culture, proactive mentorship, ongoing training, routine recognition, etc., we can create a more dynamic inclusive workforce that values respect, promotes diverse perspectives, and results in a unified team that wants to work together. Following this strategic pattern will aid greatly in retention as well.

Alex was empowered to seize the opportunity to become a valued part of the Auxiliary because his FC maintained an open, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere where he could thrive. That mindset as a leader was instrumental in guiding Alex (and his shipmates) to success. Implementing inclusion to fully enable our workforce involves a multi-faceted approach and will be successful if one is determined and creative in their application towards that goal.

 

 

   Alex Urciuoli at CG Station Monterey.
   Photo credit: MK2 Liam Breslin

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

 

Submitted by:

Thomas W. Bamford, DIR-D

National Director – D&I

U.S. Coast Guard Change Agent

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District

 

“Enthusiasm, Encouragement, Empowerment”