The Long Blue Line (Summer 2022)

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION ACTIVE DUTY
CPO Michael Rushane fosters an environment
in which everyone feels valued and
empowered to ensure effectiveness and
timely mission execution. This approach
applies, whether it is conducting a vessel
examination to ensure oceangoing ships are
fit for operation, responding to a pollution
incident, identifying critical safety or security
issues at waterfront facilities, or executing
Honor Guard and military funeral duties.
Rushane has been a staunch advocate for the
Women's Leadership Initiative, an organization
created to foster diversity through inclusion.
His work helped encourage others to speak up
about injustices they see in the workplace and
offered tangible solutions to create a supportive
environment based on eliminating negative
and unproductive behaviors. The Chief further
showcased his dedication to the workforce
through spearheading a Women’s Equality
Day event, which hosted a panel of speakers
including the vice commandant, First District
commander, retired Coast Guard admiral, City of
Bridgeport Chief of Police and a Seventh District
sector commander.
Rushane’s enthusiasm for mentoring and
coaching was evident in all that he did
throughout the Chief's Mess and sector, and
in his leadership of the sector’s marine science
technicians. He hosted several cadets from the
Coast Guard Academy and Officer Candidates
to offer familiarization on Coast Guard missions
and Sector operations. He also managed the
sector’s Prevention and Response Department
professional development for members. Chief's
encouragement and advice led to six junior
members pursuing graduate and undergraduate
degrees to further their professional competence
and expertise, and to some of the highest service
wide scores in the Coast Guard.
Reserve Recipient: Chief Petty Officer Rafael
Ortiz, maritime enforcement specialist,
Coast Guard Reserve Unit SOUTHCOM
CPO Rafael Ortiz is a leader who unfailingly
supports and guides the command and
models our core values in all aspects of his
life. His eagerness, passion, and insight are
invaluable to the professional development for
officers and enlisted.
Ortiz demonstrated superior leadership
volunteering to support SOUTHCOM operations
for the August 2021 Haiti earthquake and
subsequent humanitarian assistance/
disaster response. Acting as the Coast Guard
Liaison Officer, he prioritized capabilities and
managed limited resources against mounting
and competing demands. Ortiz’s exceptional
leadership directly impacted JTF-Haiti’s ability to
mobilize 19 helicopters, six ships, eight transport
aircraft, and approximately 1,200 response
members. He was also instrumental in the delivery
of almost 600,000 pounds of humanitarian cargo
(food, water, medical equipment, and other
critical relief supplies), and assistance or rescue
of 477 people.
Combatant Commands are notoriously good
opportunities for officers to gain proficiency in
joint operations, making them diverse leaders
capable of partnering and coordinating
operations with Department of Defense entities.
Through Ortiz’s leadership and insight, enlisted
members are increasing their footprint at reserve
unit SOUTHCOM and gaining unprecedented
opportunities to contribute to and benefit from
the knowledge transfers associated with such
an assignment. Recognizing the skillsets and
professional knowledge enlisted members offer,
he researched and compiled the ideal E-PAL
to maximize impact to operations and ensure
opportunities for growth and advancement for
the enlisted member. His dedication to diversity
resulted in a 500% increase in junior enlisted
assignments to the command.
Chief Ortiz is a servant leader, dedicated to the
betterment of the unit, reserve program, and
the Coast Guard as a whole. In addition to his
dedication to the service, Ortiz is devoted to his
local community. As the president of his local
motorcycle club, he spearheaded efforts to raise
approximately $4,000 to purchase Christmas
gifts for local families in need.
George R. Putnam Inspirational
Leadership Award
Recognizing a Coast Guard civilian employee
and named for the first commissioner of the U.S.
Lighthouse Service. He exemplified inspirational
leadership and his accomplishments during
civilian service have stood the test of time,
46 SUMMER 2022
THE LONG BLUE LINE