R 011841Z APR 15
ALCOAST 126/15
COMDTNOTE 16100
SUBJ: ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA GOLD AND SILVER AWARDS
A. MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25 (SERIES)
1. THIS ALCOAST SOLICITS FOR NOMINEES FOR THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESCUE AT SEA (AFRAS) 2014 AWARDS.
2. BACKGROUND. A. FORMED IN 1976, AFRAS IS A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION WHICH SUPPORTS MARITIME SERVICES INVOLVED WITH SAVING LIVES AT SEA. THE AFRAS AWARDS PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AREA AND DISTRICT COMMANDERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE TO RECOGNIZE DESERVING COAST GUARD PERSONNEL FOR BRAVERY IN THE CONDUCT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS. B. THE AFRAS GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS ARE THE HIGHEST SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARDS PRESENTED TO COAST GUARD MEMBERS BY A CIVILIAN ORGANIZATION.
(1) GOLD MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 1982, THE GOLD MEDAL IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO A COAST GUARD ENLISTED MEMBER FOR AN ACT OF EXTRAORDINARY BRAVERY DURING A RESCUE AT SEA.
(2) SILVER MEDAL. ESTABLISHED IN 2000, THE SILVER MEDAL (SILVER REFLECTS THE DISTINCTIVE AUXILIARY UNIFORM) IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO A DESERVING COAST GUARD AUXILIARIST. THE NOMINEE MUST HAVE PERFORMED A RESCUE INVOLVING LIVES SAVED IN EITHER INLAND OR COASTAL WATERS WHERE THE HEROIC ACTION OF THE NOMINEE WAS UNIQUELY DISTINGUISHED. CONSIDERATION, HOWEVER, WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES INVOLVING LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.
3. AWARDS PRESENTATION. BOTH THE GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS WILL BE PRESENTED ON 09 SEPTEMBER 2015 AT A CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON, DC. CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES, AFRAS LEADERSHIP, THE COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD AND VARIOUS SENIOR COAST GUARD LEADERS. AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE HONORED AT THE CEREMONY AND FAMILY MEMBERS INVITED TO ATTEND.
4. AFRAS AWARD ELIGIBILITY. AFRAS SELECTS RECIPIENTS FROM AMONG NOMINATIONS SUBMITTED. AWARD CRITERIA IS SET FORTH IN REF (A) AND REITERATED BELOW:
A. GOLD MEDAL NOMINEES MUST BE ENLISTED MEMBERS ON ACTIVE DUTY AT THE TIME OF THE RESCUE BEING RECOGNIZED. SILVER MEDAL NOMINEES MUST BE COAST GUARD AUXILIARISTS AT THE TIME OF THE RESCUE BEING RECOGNIZED.
B. THE RESPONSE MUST INVOLVE A LIFESAVING RESCUE INVOLVING PERILS FROM THE SEA WHERE THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF THE NOMINEE ARE UNIQUELY DISTINGUISHED. HOWEVER, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL RESCUES INVOLVING LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS.
C. NOMINATIONS MUST INVOLVE CALENDAR YEAR 2014 RESCUES. 5. ADMINISTRATION. A. UNITS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO COMDT (CG-SAR) VIA THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND. DISTRICT AWARDS BOARDS SHOULD REVIEW ALL NOMINATIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CRITERIA SET FORTH ABOVE.
B. NOMINATIONS SHALL INCLUDE:
(1) A BRIEF COVER LETTER IDENTIFYING THE NOMINEE AND PAY GRADE (IF APPLICABLE), CURRENT DUTY STATION/AUXILIARY FLOTILLA, AND EXPIRATION OF ENLISTMENT (IF APPLICABLE).
(2) COAST GUARD AWARD RECOMMENDATION, FORM CG-1650.
(3) ONE PAGE AWARD CITATION.
(4) 1-2 PAGE SUMMARY OF ACTION THAT FULLY DESCRIBES THE RESCUE.
(5) ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO AFRAS EVALUATION OF THE NOMINATION.
C. FORWARD COMMAND ENDORSED NOMINATIONS TO: COMMANDANT (CG-SAR), U.S. COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVE SE, STOP 7516, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7518. ATTN: AFRAS NOMINATION.
D. ALL AWARD NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY COMDT (CG-SAR) NLT 08 MAY 2015.
6. COMDT (CG-SAR) AFRAS AWARDS POC: MS. WILLIE FOSTER (202) 372-2090. AWARD NOMINATIONS ADVANCED COPY CAN BE EMAILED TO MS. FOSTER AT: WILLIE.M.FOSTER(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. ADDITIONAL AFRAS AWARDS INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.RESCUEATSEA.ORG.
8. RDML P.J. BROWN, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR RESPONSE POLICY, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
