Photo By Emily McCamy | Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr. presents a "Good Shipmate" coin to Coast...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Emily Russell
Joint Task Force Guantanamo
Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr., Atlantic Area and Defense Force East commander, visited U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to examine area operations and meet with members of Coast Guard Reserve Port Security Unit 305.
"Getting a chance to get out and meet with my shipmates is probably the most important thing," Papp said. "When I come out, I like to get feedback from you because that helps to inform me and help me do my job better."
Papp's responsibility includes five Coast Guard districts stretching across 14 million square miles, with more than 51,000 military and civilian employees and auxiliarists.
"All hands meetings are important because they give me a chance to speak from my heart and let you know what is on my mind," Papp explained to the group of Coast Guardsmen from PSU 305 and the Naval Station's Coast Guard Aviation Detachment.
Papp encouraged his audience to ask him questions because "as a leader, finding out what's on their minds is very valuable.
"Take a leap of faith that what you tell me has value," Papp said.
While here, Papp presented the "Good Shipmate" award to Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Love and Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Pam Smith.
"What I look for in a Shipmate is a person who does their job well," Papp said. "Not only do they do their job well, they also take the time to lead others, teach them and go out and do things above and beyond [their job]."
Papp illustrated his definition of a good shipmate with words of praise for Love and Smith.
"Not only does [Love] do his job well," Papp said, "he takes time to train others [and] supported the Wounded Warriors."
Papp complimented Smith, a facilities engineer, on her work to make the facility safe as well as her work as an "ace outboard mechanic who takes the time to teach junior mechanics."
"I'm very please to get the award," Smith said. "It's all because of the people that work for me and above me."
"If it wasn't for the unit, said Love, "we wouldn't be getting the awards. Our shipmates are the ones who make us look good enough to receive something like this."
In addition to the Good Shipmate award, Boat Coxswain certifications were awarded to Coast Guard Petty Officers 3rd Class Donald DeGorgis, Kyle Viele, Sean Griffin and Brad Hanna.
| Date Taken: | 01.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2009 09:30 |
| Story ID: | 29013 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 235 |
This work, 'All hands' salute Good Shipmate, by Emily McCamy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT