@iCommandantUSCG - More Social Media: The Commandant in the Twitterverse

Shipmates,
I've been spending a fair amount of my energy on our social media initiatives. While I do some of it for fun it does have a very important objective. Effective leaders communicate constantly and recognize that often the most important part of leading by communicating is listening. The Commandant speaks continually of the need to modernize our organization to confront the challenges and threats faced by the nation:

The Coast Guard cannot expect to continue operating strictly in the hierarchical, top-down fashion, but must also adapt to be more horizontal and collaborative or face organizational obsolescence. This is a significant cultural change for us, but I am confident that our outstanding people possess the knowledge and judgment to be able to more efficiently monitor and evaluate the information environment they operate in and effectively and deliberately engage in the dialogue to further Coast Guard strategic objectives and benefit mission execution and support. - Admiral Allen in a CGBlog.org/USNIBlog interview with Christiaan Conver May 2009

These social media initiatives are about creating the collaborative environment that we need to maximize our individual and collective impact, what the Commandant would call our mission execution.



While we hear many leaders discuss the need for openness, communication and listening, Admiral Allen really walks the walk. The iCommandant Blog has given us an incredible view into the thinking of the Commandant and other guest bloggers. The Commandant has extended this effort to Twitter. You can follow the Commandant @iCommandantUSCG or http://twitter.com/iCommandantUSCG

[You can follow me at @veryuseful or http://twitter.com/veryuseful and check out the folks I follow for many other Coasties.]

Here are some of the Commandant's first tweets so you can get a feel for the flow. Please note these are in reverse order (most recent first). A few hints to decode what your are seeing: @nnnnn = some twitter user; RT = Retweet, to republish another users tweet; #nnnn = a hash tag which we use to identify a topic or family of tweets (I use #IGetPaid to acknowledge how much I get out of the Auxiliary).

RT @simplydan: CG-8: Nothing more fundamental to modern'n of CG than getting logistics transformation right. #logmod

about 2 hours ago from HootSuite

RT @simplydan: VADM Pearson: If you think everything is smooth & comfortable, you're not going fast enough. #logmod

about 2 hours ago from HootSuite

Affinity Group Participation -- "Not just a check in the box": ANSO ConferenceOriginally uploaded by icommandant.. http://tinyurl.com/ovj7r4

about 8 hours ago from twitterfeed

RT @CoastGuardNews: Photo - Coast Guard and Navy Capture Pirates http://bit.ly/ScaYK

about 8 hours ago from HootSuite

RT @picanyc: Life Jackets! thinking about boating safety - which starts with life jackets! http://tinyurl.com/ama-life...

about 14 hours ago from HootSuite

Fairwinds, Bernie Webber: Former Coast Guard Station, Nauset, Cape Cod National SeashoreOriginally uploaded by u.. http://tinyurl.com/pmtfot

about 23 hours ago from twitterfeed

#CoastGuard Rep. Coble: would reauth of PPV be an important first step for impoving qual of life? MCPOCG: affirmative

1:44 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Rep. Lobiondo: Need to know what we can fix this year to improve member/family support parity with DOD. USCG will provide.

1:26 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard the way to control costs in acquisition is through 1. Open competiton, 2. Fixed price 3. Remove risk from govt.

1:20 PM May 13th from txt

Floor-level funding for shore-infrastructure ought to be $100mil annually. Rcvd shore AC&I funds in ARRA and $270+ mil in CSDACAA funding.

1:19 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard PPV potential for housing program is more about authorization than appropriation.

1:19 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard MCPOCG talking about CG housing problems and potential of PPV program as a solutions

1:13 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Critical to controlling NSC costs is to not allow a break in the production line between hulls 4 & 5

1:10 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Rep Fazio concerned about MMC medical backlog. Comdt: Fix is in place and backlog being reduced. NMC will benefit Merchant ...

1:10 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard NSC Project costs are under control. NSC #4 and beyond will be fixed-price contracts, signif reduce cost variability and risk.

1:06 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard good discussion on security requirements and LNG facilities and vessels and who bares that cost? Mandated CG security erode ...

12:43 PM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Congess concerned with CG's $1Bill shore infrastructure backlog.

11:53 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Marine Transportation System is lifeblood of our national economy. Carries 78% of intl trade and activity trends on increase.

11:42 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard FY10 Funding request will provide an additional 74 marine safety positions. http://ow.ly/6Eo2

11:33 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Met yesterday with MARAD, TRANSCOM, 5th Fleet & US shippers yest to discuss new MSD for operating off HOA.

11:27 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Signing of Arctic NSPD sets interagency policy. National efforts would be enhanced with UNCLOS ratification. http://ow.ly6Es9

11:23 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard We can no longer do more with less. Instead we will allocate our resources to buy down risk in the most vulnerable areas.

11:18 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Modernization remains Job #1 http://ow.ly/6Em4

11:17 AM May 13th from txt

#CoastGuard Written statement available http://ow.ly/6EmQ

11:05 AM May 13th from txt

#Coast Guard Subject matter for today's hearing available online http://ow.ly/6Fk2 You may be able to watch live from this site at 2 p.m.

9:17 AM May 13th from HootSuite

Good read ahead for hearing: www.uscg.mil/posturestatement

7:01 AM May 13th from txt

MOTR was a valuable tool in Maersk Alabama http://ow.ly/6COK. Read about it in this month's Seapower (P.48-50)http://ow.ly/6COs.

5:50 AM May 13th from HootSuite

iCommandant on Twitter: We are going to try tweeting on the FY-2010 budget hearing with the House Transportation.. http://tinyurl.com/q36ds4

7:14 PM May 12th from twitterfeed

Hope you follow our tweets from our FY2010 budget hearing tomorrow with the CG&MT Subcommittee.

3:22 PM May 12th from web

SafeKids Day at the Oregon Zoo

On May 2, 2009 Earl, Tim (both pictured here) and I participated in the annual SafeKids Day at the Oregon Zoo. I took some video at the event and posted a video on fitting life jackets to kids on the D13 Blog .

Yesterday I got the final zoo event numbers from our SafeKids partners:

• Zoo Attendance: 9,984 (up from 9368 last year)
  
• Safety Professionals and volunteers: 250 (up from 156) -- way to go!
  
• Due to the generous contributions of our Safe Kids partners, thousands of prizes were distributed.
  

I estimate we saw over 3,000 kids and parents at the booth and fitted many of the kids for life jackets.

Bravo Zulu Tim & Earl!

The long version of the video can be seen here (if you cannot see the video please visit the blog post directly, it may not play in your RSS reader or email client.)

Brief: Columbia Bar Pilots

The Portland Monthly has an article and slideshow on the Columbia Bar Pilots. It is a great story on how the Bar Pilot operation works. The thing that always surprises me in these stories is the lack of sufficient cold water PPE worn by the pilots, and the boat and helo crews. I don't know about you but I certainly would not want to be making transfers off the coast during the winter in jeans.

What's your number? How we describe the Flotilla

The following comes from Bill Sorrentino one of my colleagues in the I-Department. The final takeaway is that we are Flotilla 76, not:

• Flotilla 130-07-06
• Flotilla 07-06
• Flotilla 7-6

------------------------------------------

Because of computerization, members of the Auxiliary seem to be using Auxdata entry format and computer sorting as a formal way of identifying their flotilla, division and district. An inspection of various websites, plus the numerous e-mails I get with incorrect unit identification placed after a signature, confirms this.

Chapter 4, Section A.3 (“Flotilla Identification”) of the Auxiliary Manual states how to properly identify an Auxiliary unit.

These are the basics of Auxiliary Unit Identification for verbal, written and website posting (DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH AUXDATA ENTRY OR COMPUTER SORTING FORMATS WHICH REQUIRES THE USE OF ZEROS AND HYPHENS):

A flotilla’s numerical has two or three digits only.

There are no zeros in a flotilla number unless the number has a “10,” “20,” “30,” etc., in it.

There are no hyphens in a flotilla number unless the flotilla’s numerical has three digits, i.e. Flotilla 4-11, or 11-4.

The district number is never part of the flotilla number, nor is the division number separated from the flotilla number. A correct flotilla number consists of a division number and a flotilla number. Both are used together and never separated for routine verbal, written or website posting.

The only time a district number is added to a flotilla number would be in written correspondence to someone outside the writer’s district. In doing so, the correct district identification (i.e. 1S, 7, 9ER, 11SR, 17) should be inserted AFTER the flotilla number, not the data entry formats of 013, 054, 070, 170, etc. Example: Flotilla 44, (D7) or Flotilla 44, 7th CG District Aux. Do not write a flotilla number as: 070 0404.

There are no district numbers that contain a zero. We have sixteen districts, not one hundred seventy (170 for 17th District). The use of 013, 054, 140 and 170, for example, are computer sorting and input formats. They should not be used when spoken, written or posted. Example, I live in District 7, not District 070. I used to live in District 1S, not 014.


Signature:

Wrong Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
070 04-04


Wrong Way:
Bill Sorrentino, FSO-IS
Flotilla 4-4

Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
Flotilla 44


Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, IPFC
Flotilla 44 (D7)


Correct Way:
Bill Sorrentino, SO-CS
Division 4, 7th CG District Aux.

Please assist me in getting the word out. Thank you.
Bill Sorrentino, BC-IAH

Fitting life jackets for kids

A repost from the D13 blog:

As we enter the boating season and get life jackets out of storage for the first time since last season it is important to pay particular attention to the fit of the life jackets for the kids on our boats. As all parents know, growing out of clothes and shoes is a constant challenge. Children grow out of life jackets too. Life jackets need to be carefully fitted to children in order to be effective. Children can fall out of life jackets that are too large or improperly fastened and may not receive sufficient flotation from a life jacket that is too small. Even a life jacket that appears to fit may allow a child to shift downward so that their face is immersed once they enter the water.

• Choose the right size.
• Make sure it is in serviceable condition.
• Buckle all the buckles, tie the ties, zip the zippers, and use the straps... including the crotch strap if equipped.
• Tighten the straps, the life jacket should be snug as it will loosen in the water.
• Pick the child up with the life jacket, vest types should not pull up above the ears.
• Make sure kids wear the life jacket and wear yours. You are not only modeling good behavior but you will also be able to assist your kids if everyone ends up in the water. WEAR IT!

This last weekend U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Flotilla 76 participated in the annual SafeKids day at the Oregon Zoo. Along with our partners, AMR River Rescue, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and the Army Corps of Engineers we talk to thousands of parents and kids. We fit many of the kids with life jackets and show parents the key elements of proper life jacket wear. In this video Taneka Means of AMR River Rescue and Robert Smith of Oregon Parks and Recreation demonstrate fitting a life jacket:



For a longer version, with more information on fitting a life jacket from Melissa Rinehart of the Army Corps of Engineers, Tim Young and Earl Markham of the USCG Auxiliary as well as beach safety from Robert Smith watch this (5 mins):

USCG Social Media Reading

Shipmates,
This blog exists in a much larger context. The Coast Guard is exploring ways to use social media for communication within the service and to our partners and the public. The links from this post will help you understand the use of social media in the Coast Guard.

Note: This post will be updated as resources are added.

First, the Commandant's introduction to Social Media:


30 APR 2009: Wired's Danger Room: Coast Guard Commandant Hearts Social Media
Discusses the Commandant's use of social media.

26 APR 2009: Information Dissemination
Discusses the Navy and social media focusing on the fact that dealing with the blogging community and the mainstream media is not an either/or decision. In my professional life as a PR pro I find that an increasing number of my mainstream media audience is using the social web and that by effectively using a combination of traditional and social media tools I can reach them with less effort to greater effect. at the same time using social tools also makes me a publisher - I can go direct to my audience with the same set of messaging for no additional effort. It is truly a win-win-win.

20 APR 2009: Information Dissemination: Social Software and the National Security Discussion
An excellent post that introduced me to a paper by the National Defense University on social software and national  defense. The paper puts forth an interaction model that is very useful when trying to understand social media and the potential impacts of the tools.

The report includes a good summary of how social software can work for the military services.

The first function is Inward Sharing, or sharing information within agencies. This includes information sharing not only during military operations, but also within offices for budgets, human resources, contracting, social, and other purposes, and coordination between offices and other units of an agency.

The second function is Outward Sharing, or sharing internal agency information with entities beyond agency boundaries. Outward sharing includes coordination during the Federal interagency process; sharing information with government, law enforcement, medical emergency, and other relevant entities at state, local, and tribal levels; and collaboration with partners such as corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or super-empowered individuals (billionaires, international CEOs, etc.).

The third function is Inbound Sharing, which allows government to obtain input from citizens and other persons outside the government more easily. Inbound Sharing includes gauging public sentiment on issues in real time (not unlike instant polling), allows government to receive input on current topics of interest, empowers the public to vote or otherwise give weight to other people’s opinions to reach some consensus or equilibrium about online discussions about government issues, and provides a mechanism for crowdsourcing, which is effectively outsourcing projects to a group of people whose membership is not predefined (not unlike a contest or challenge).

The fourth function is Outbound Sharing, whose purpose is to communicate with and/or empower people outside the government. This includes a range of efforts such as focused use of information and communications technology (ICT) during stabilization and reconstruction missions, connecting persons in emergency or post-disaster situations, and communicating messages in foreign countries as part of public diplomacy efforts. It also includes functions like using multimedia and social media for better communication with citizens as part of public affairs.

D13 AUXAIR Fly-In

Shipmates,
This weekend is the Annual AUXAIR Training Weekend. Our own Gary Nepple is the AUXAIR operations officer and asked me to post two documents:

1) The agenda:
Flyin2009Agenda2.doc

2) His presentation outline:
POMS-Netskeds-7030's.doc

While you may not be active in AUXAIR it is often helpful to see what is occurring in other programs.

UPDATE Note: Uniform of the day for all on base activities will be flight suits or casual civilian. Saturday evening shirts & slacks. Sunday morning Casual Civilian or flight suits as appropriate.

ALAUX: Non-Operational Facilities Category Eliminated -012/09

Shipmates,
You likely received an ALAUX today announcing the elimination of the Non-Operational facility category and a change to the flying of the Auxiliary ensign on member facilities. There change has no impact on our Flotilla facilities as none are non-operational. It is a significant liberalization of the use of the Auxiliary ensign which may now be displayed on any members vessel as long as the vessel displays a current VSC sticker.

Previously the ensign could only be displayed on a facility (operational or non-operational). So if you have a vessel that is not an inspected operational facility get your annual VSC (which I hope you do as a matter of course) and start flying the Auxiliary ensign.

Please note this is the blue and white ensign, not the red, white and blue Auxiliary Patrol Ensign.

To: ALAUX
From: CHDIRAUX
Subj: Non-Operational Facilities Category Eliminated -012/09

1. As a matter of information, NEXCOM and the National Bridge recently made final the decision to eliminate "non-operational facilities" from the categories of vessels in the Auxiliary. CG-5421 concurs with this action which is effective immediately.

2. The Auxiliary Ensign may now fly only on either inspected surface facilities that display a current facility decal or on vessels owned by Auxiliarists that have successfully completed a Vessel Safety Check and that display a current VSC decal.

3. Changes in regards to non-operational facilities to the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual COMDTINST M16798.3(series) will be reflected in future editions of the manual.

4. The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc. All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and information.

5. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

6. CG-542, sends

Bravo Zulu: 76 Crew candidates and all the Division 7 crew and coxswain candidates passing QE today

Updated and bumped: The same BZ to Roger and Tim who passed QE on Sunday! Way to go everyone.

A big Bravo Zulu to Paul, Chris, Shaun, Gary, and Kip from 76 who passed QE today and have been recommended for qualification as boat crew. Good luck to Tim and Roger who go before the QEs on Sunday. This is the culmination of over three intense months of study, class work and practical on the water work. You've done very well. Now you have the opportunity to get out on the water in regular operations and start the journey from competency, to comfort and hopefully to mastery at some point in the future.

My conversations with the QEs were highly complementary of all the crew and coxswain candidates.

I cannot say enough about the quality of the program that Flotilla 73, under the leadership of Don Verkest, provides.  Don has developed an outstanding schedule -- the on-the-water exercises always seem to come at exactly the right time to cement the classroom learning. I've a particular appreciation for the academy this year having gone from a somewhat casual relationship as a crew mentor to a coxswain candidate. My skills would not be anywhere near what they are had I used the self-study method. The 73 Crew/Coxswain Academy is a model that should be emulated nation-wide.

Swine Flu Information from Tricare

Shipmates,
The following comes from Tricare via the Sector Portland Logistics Department:

Swine Flu Facts 

Recently there have been a number of cases of swine flu reported in the media.  The Department of Defense as well as all segments of the US government is working along with our international partners to lessen the impact of swine flu. 


What is Swine Flu?
Swine flu is influenza that occurs in pigs.  People do not normally get swine flu but human infections can occur.  The most recent cases of swine flu appear to have the ability to be passed on from person to person and has resulted in a number of cases in the United States as well as wide spread disease in certain parts of Mexico.  It is likely that this swine flu will spread to many if not all parts of the United States. 


Symptoms
When people catch swine flu they may have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue just like the regular flu.  Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.  Previously, swine flus have also caused severe illness and death.  Like the regular flu people with chronic medical conditions are at risk for more severe illness. 


Contracting Swine Flu
Most people catch swine flu the same way you catch the regular flu.  You can catch swine flu by coming in contact with droplets from infected people after they sneeze or cough.  This can occur by being in the path of a sneeze or cough or touching something that has those droplets on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. 


Treatment
There is a medicine to treat swine flu.  Both Tamiflu® and Relenza® are effective against the swine flu. You get these medicines from your doctor. If you have swine flu and need treatment, treatment should start within two days after you begin to feel sick. 


Prevention
However, the best treatment is prevention.  There are a number of ways you can reduce the risk of catching swine flu for you and your family.

• Avoid people with the flu.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol based hand cleaner.
• Wash your hands before eating or touching your face, after touching surfaces that someone might have coughed or sneezed on, after going out into the community and after caring for someone who has the flu or touching something someone who is sick may have touched.
• If someone in your household is sick stay home until that person no longer feels ill. 

If you are sick there a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of giving swine flu to others. 

• If you are sick stay home from work or school.
• Limit your contact with others.
• Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues. Throw these tissues away into a plastic bag.  When removing the bad, try not to touch the dirty tissues.
• Those with flu should use separate eating utensils that are washed in hot soapy water after each meal.
• Don’t share objects like remote controls or pens.
• Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched like door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles.  An effective disinfectant can be made using ¼ cup of household bleach and 1 gallon of cold water.
• If someone in your house is sick also stay at home.  Don’t go to work or school until they no longer feel sick.

If you think you have swine flu contact your health care provider.  They will be able to determine if you need testing or treatment.  If you experience any of the following warning signs seek emergency medical care right away.
      For Children:

• Fast breathing or having difficulty to breathe
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids and not urinating as often
• Not waking up or being able to interact with others
• Being so irritable that they do not want to be held
• Flu symptoms that improve but then return with a worse cough and fever
• Fever with a rash

      For adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu symptoms that improve but then return with a worse cough and fever

For more information check your local installation hot line or go to www.dod.mil/pandemicflu or www.cdc.gov/swineflu.