First and Foremost - US Coast Guard Auxiliary, First District ...

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My fellow Shipmates
We have just completed a very successful and productive March Conference at the
Mystic Marriott Hotel. We had more than 500 members attend this year’s conference
and a Bravo Zulu goes out to everyone who had anything to do with this
year’s program. The dedication of the conference committee, the professionalism
and knowledge of the workshop presenters and the willingness of our members to
see the benefit in attending is a testament to why 1SR is First and Foremost.
This year, 1SR was honored to have CAPT Servidio, D1 Chief of Staff, deliver the
banquet address. CAPT Mark Rizzo, Chief Director of the Auxiliary and VNACO Tom Mallison also
joined us for both the conference and the District Board meeting. I can tell each member of 1SR that
all three spoke very highly of the District and thanked us for all we do.
Your participation in the conference supports the concept of being ready, flexible, adaptable, and
willing to have fun. When I took the helm at the January Board meeting I discussed my watch words
for my term. I explained that 1SR must “Be Ready-Flexible-Adaptable”, if we were going to continue
to be an asset to our customer, the U. S. Coast Guard. At the same time I added we will have Fun
along the way.
We must be ready for whatever comes our way. Our training must be focused on sustaining mission
excellence, not settling for just meeting basic qualifications. There can be no room for complacence.
The new mentor program has been designed to give the selection of mentors back to the Flotilla Commanders.
With that autonomy comes the responsibility to select the most qualified Auxiliarist for the
mentor position. We need to take every opportunity to train to insure our readiness. 1SR will provide
trained crews and facilities to augment the Coast Guard and insure safety and security of our ports,
waterways and coastal region.
Being ready also means increasing the capacity of the Auxiliary to meet the ever changing role of the
Coast Guard. We will expand our involvement in PATON verification, MDA patrols, station watchstanding,
the chef program, and outreach efforts to the non-traditional boating public. We must continue
to expand our efforts in our core program, Recreation Boating Safety, as well as, the nontraditional
mission areas.
I am confident that we will meet all challenges and I want to thank each and every member of 1SR for
all you do.
COMO Hal Marschall
DCO 1SR
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