Respecting our shipmates
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Written by: Christopher Lagan
Admiral Robert J. Papp, 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Earlier today, we told you about the principles by which Admiral Papp will guide the Coast Guard as commandant. This afternoon, Admiral Papp released an ALCOAST message with some clarity on one of those guiding principles: Respect our Shipmates.
The release of this ALCOAST follows on the release of policy statements on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment, equal opportunity, and diversity.
As it is common for a new commandant to release a series of vision and policy statements during the opening days and weeks of a new administration, we’ll do our best to keep you up to speed on the latest from Admiral Papp.
R 270000Z MAY 10
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CCG//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N05350//
ALCOAST 000/10
COMDTNOTE 5350
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 3: RESPECT OUR SHIPMATES – COMMAND CLIMATE
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 260000Z MAY 10/ALCOAST 000/10
1. Shipmates, as we set the watch, we also set the tone and expectation for how we will stand our watch together. As I indicated to you in ref a, respecting our shipmates is one of my four guiding principles. Over the course of my career, I have learned that we must respect one another before we can successfully work together as a team. Missions are accomplished by people. By letting our people know they will be treated fairly and appreciated, that their leaders care about them personally and professionally, we will put ourselves on course to create great command climates and work environments.
2. Great command climates enable our people to thrive. They also result in operational excellence, efficiency, morale and retention, including recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. It’s no coincidence that commands with positive attitudes, pride and enthusiasm are invariably the top performers. The cohesion behind top performing units does not happen by chance. It’s a product of mutual respect, communication and attention to the many small, but dynamic interactions of shipmates.
3. My duty as commandant is to provide you with my direction on maintaining positive command climates. In addition to my philosophy contained in this message, I have posted my policy statements on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment, equal opportunity, and diversity. They are available at www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership. These policy statements set forth in further detail my expectation for how we will respect our shipmates. Link to them. Read them. Post them. Live them.
4. I want to make very clear that I will not tolerate any behavior inconsistent with these expectations: nor should you. I value every member of the coast guard family. Each of us is entitled to work in a respectful and professional environment. After all, respecting your shipmates is not only one of my core principles, its part of the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
5. Each commanding office and officer in charge shall read this message at the next quarters or appropriate muster and shall post these policy statements in prominent locations aboard their command to ensure that my expectations are clear.
7. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT
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