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Let’s Review Our Core Ethical Principles:
HONESTY - Be truthful, straight forward, sincere, candid. Do not mislead or deceive.
INTEGRITY - Live by principles, show the courage of your convictions. Stand behind your beliefs and put principle over expediency. Walk the talk.
COMMITMENT - Keep your promises, be reliable, take action, and accept responsibility.
LOYALTY – Be faithful, supportive, adhere to accepted cases, and pledge allegiance.
FAIRNESS - Strive to be equitable, be open-minded to people and ideas, recognize and overcome prejudice, do not discriminate on an improper basis.
COMPASSION - Be considerate, kind, caring, charitable, and unselfish.
RESPECT - Be courteous, deferential, and tolerant to policies & procedures, individuals and groups. Appreciate the freedom, dignity, and rights of others.
CIVIC - Willingly perform assignments and a fair share of the work. Abide by rules and laws; participate.
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE - Identify deficiencies. Do your best at all times, take pride in your work, always strive to improve.
ACCOUNTABILITY - Consider consequences and accept responsibility for actions and inactions, do not shift blame or make excuses. Correct errors and misunderstandings.
The core elements of Diversity that a person cannot change; birthplace, ethnicity, race, and gender. The elements of Diversity a person can change; language, religion, beliefs, educational level, profession, some cultural aspects, etc.
In understanding diversity, it is important to realize that diversity’s call for treating people as equal does not mean treating them as if they were similar. People are equal in their right to dignity and respect, but they are not equal in their abilities, nor should we mistakenly think that they are similar. Effective diversity training will help Auxiliarists become more open to differences in general, and more skilled in handling problematic Diversity issues.
View the D7 Diversity site for more information.
Diversity | USCGAUX D7 (uscga-district-7.org)
https://uscga-district-7.org/diversity-php
USCG Auxiliary Diversity Moment November 2023 Inclusion: A Key to Growth
Please take some time to start a discussion with this topic with your shipmates at your next meeting.
Utilizing these "Moments" fulfills Goal Category 1.3 in the NACO 3-Star Diversity application.
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"In order to ensure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
First known as Armistice Day, the day commemorating the signing of the treaty ending World War I, President Woodrow Wilson set aside November 11th, 1919, to recognize and thank American soldiers for their service. It became a national holiday in 1938, and in 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all American Veterans.
These veterans bring a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. Inclusion ensures that these diverse backgrounds are valued and respected, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation for the unique contributions everyone can make. Veterans often possess valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving; all of which are highly transferable to the Auxiliary workforce. Inclusion efforts help recognize and leverage these skills, enabling veterans to thrive in various roles in our organization. We should actively seek not only prior service from other branches to join us after they separate from their respective services, but to especially encourage our Gold-side colleagues to join us.
Since Coast Guard veterans will have experience with military equipment, technology, and procedures, all those can be relevant to the operations of the Auxiliary. This familiarity can facilitate a smoother integration into Auxiliary activities and conversely assist us our integration in active-duty operations. These veterans often have extensive networks within the Coast Guard and veteran communities. This can be leveraged to strengthen partnerships, enhance outreach efforts, and increase community engagement and recruiting opportunities for the Auxiliary.
These examples of Inclusion can open opportunities for veterans to continue their personal and professional growth. We need to represent well to show we are worthy of being together by growing in the same manner. Overall, the inclusion of military veterans in the Auxiliary enriches our organization with a diverse range of skills, experiences, and values that contribute to its effectiveness in supporting the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard.
By: Michael Brown, BC-DUP Outreach (Diversity & Inclusion Directorate)
The Test of Our Civilization
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“As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it."
~ Sandra Day O'Connor
Just last month, the Coast Guard recognized the pivotal 1973 ruling ending the branch of the Reserves known as the SPARS, thus integrating women fully into the enlisted and officer corps. There was a time when women rarely worked outside the home, and if they did, most were not in leadership roles. Exceptions were made temporarily during the World Wars, and participation at those levels increased in World War II. Despite being scaled back immediately following, the idea took hold and we never looked back since.
Chief Warrant Officer Alice T. Jefferson became the first woman to be commissioned as an active-duty officer in the Coast Guard at the 1973 ceremony held at Coast Guard Headquarters. Vice-Admiral Vivien Crea was the first female to be a presidential aide. YN2 Olivia Hooker was the first Black woman to join the Coast Guard. Captain Beverly Kelley became the first Coast Guard woman to command a military vessel of any branch of the armed services. These Coast Guard leaders broke multiple barriers and shattered long-held stereotypes.
Women were put to the test and passed superbly. As of 2023, the Coast Guard stands at the forefront of this transformation, with a remarkable surge in the inclusion of women in our ranks. The statistics reveal a significant stride with the Auxiliary boasting three times more women compared to active-duty. A journey that began with women serving as lighthouse keepers and support staff 200+ years ago has culminated in an environment where women are now integral to every domain within the Coast Guard, including its highest echelons of leadership. Today, those leaders include our Commandant and our Auxiliary Vice-National Commodore.
As we look forward to the next 50 years, we can confidently say that they have more than just passed the test. The Coast Guard has set the stage for many firsts for all women as a powerful indicator of the level of civilization and progress our society has achieved: understanding the imperative of inclusivity. The journey, begun two generations ago, is now a legacy of progress and a blueprint for a more inclusive future. That was the true test all along. Let’s empower our shipmates to contribute fully to the collective advancement of our organization, country, and civilization. Certainly, we will all be better off for it.
Michael Brown, BC-DUP Outreach (Diversity & Inclusion Directorate)