Greetings From D.C

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Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, USCG January - February - March 2006 I would like to apologize for all the confusing messages that have been circulating throughout the Association. I will address this issue, but first I 9d like to share some good news. CWO2 (BOSN) J.T.Green is the newAssociation Vice President.

J.T. was elected at a special meeting on February 7, 2006, and he has quickly become an active member on the Board of Directors (BOD). P a y Compression: Could we finally see targeted pay raises for Warrant Officers?

This is something that the Association, as a member of the Military Coalition, has been working on for several years and it appears that we could see them in 2007. We have been told that the pay raises are in the President 9s budget for 2007 so, while all indications are that we will see these rais- es in 2007, they must still be approved by Congress. You might want to take a minute and write your Congressman.

Okay, I know many of you are wondering what is going on in D.C. I will try my best to summarize the events that have occurred over the past couple months without writing ... more. less.

a book. CWO3 Darryl Ransom submitted his resignation as Association President on February 2, 2006. This put into motion sever- al events that have led to much confusion and left several of our members feeling disenfranchised. I can assure you that this was never the intention of the BOD. At the time Darryl resigned, he was also a candidate on the ballot that was included in the Oct-Nov-Dec 804 issue of CWO News. The members of the BOD, with the counsel of several past presidents, came to the conclusion that the first ballot was no longer valid due to Darryl 9s name being removed. The Association By-Laws require that there be two candidates for each position. During the February 7th Special Meeting we accepted nominations for president. A new ballot was created, sent to the print- er, and instructions were enclosed to disregard the initial ballot. In addition, we sent an e-mail to all chapter presidents a nd the same instructions were placed on the Association 9s web page. In an attempt to follow the By-Laws we did not change the March 1, 2006 deadline for ballots to arrive at the Association office. The one factor we did not foresee was that the U.S. Postal S ervice would take three or more weeks to deliver the revised ballots. These events led to a meeting on March 8, 2006 with the BOD, several members of the Executive Committee, and several Association Past Presidents. After a long discussion, the BOD followed the advice of the members present and nullified the second ballot. The only votes that were to be counted would be from the first ballot, and then only those that had arrived at the Association office by March 1, 2006. As the current president, I apologize for the confusion caused by these occurrences. The decision to invalidate the second ballot was not an easy one, but one we felt was necessary due to the constraints of the Association By-Laws. The BOD does not have the authority to deviate from the By-Laws, even under emergency circumstances. The intent of the BOD was to have an election with two candidates for each office while also pro- viding all members the opportunity to vote. Although we knew we did not have much time, we thought that in this mod- ern time, when you can send a letter from Washington, D.C. to California in three days, we would be able to do it. I know this will be a major topic at our Annual Meeting in April, as well it should be. But for now, I ask that we all try to place this behind us and focus on the principles that this Association was founded on -- Warrant Officers working together on issues that affect the lives of our members and those that will follow. I look forward to seeing many of you in Bowie, Maryland in April. Semper Paratus! Doug Greetings From D.C Contents From the PresidentPage 1 From the EditorPage 2 Member News & ReunionsPage 3-5 Notices & Chapter NewsPage 6-9 Coast Guard LeadershipPage 10-12 MiscellaneousPage 13 Membership NewsPage14-15 Association CalendarPage 16 ATimely Message From Association President,CWO3 Douglas W.Van Oort From the Editor CWONews is published for members of the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, U.S. Coast Guard, a non-profit organiza- tion, from its national office, c/o James Creek Marina, 200 V Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 554- 7753 or 1-(800) 792-8447. Fax: (202) 484-0641. E-mail: cw oauscg@v erizon.net Web: www .cw oauscg.or g President CWO3Douglas W.Van Oort (202) 493-1643 dv anoor t@ballston.uscg.mil V ice President CWO2 J.T.Green (202) 267-0537 JTGreen@comdt.uscg.mil V ice President for Retired Af f airs CWO4 Bill Reetz,USCG(Ret.) (727) 588-0070 billreetz@spr ynet.com V ice President for Reser v e Af f airs CWO2 GeorgeW.Young (301) 669-3363 gy oung@comdt.uscg.mil Secretar y CWO4 Michael R.Lewis (202) 267-1288 mle wis@comdt.uscg.mil T reasurer CWO2 Mitzie A.Robinson (202) 267-1947 mrobinson@comdt.uscg.mil Ex ecuti v e Director & Editor LCDREd Swift,USCG(Ret.) (202) 554-7753 FellowWarrants: The term cwork in progress d definitely applies to your national office. New computers were purchased just after Christmas, we have changed com- panies for our phone service, and established a new e-mail address which uses DSL rather than the previous dial-up service or satellite dish. Hopefully, the high-speed service will expedite Association business. Please use: c w o a u s c g @ v e r i z o n . n e t to replace our previous e-mail addresses: cw oauscg@aol.com and cw oauscg@direcw a y .com . This issue of CWONews is again reporting on activities covering a three- month period although it was my intent to publish the magazine bi-monthly. The situation with the ballots necessitated that this issue be delayed. I expect some discussion regarding the magazine 9s format and publishing schedule to take place at the Annual Meeting so if you have opinion on the subject, please let your chapter representative know ahead of time or simply e-mail one of the Association officers or myself. I receive about 25-30 mag- azines returned after each mailing due to bad addresses or forwarding expi- rations. To make sure you continue to receive the magazine and any other Association correspondence, please use the Change of Address form locat- ed on page 13 of this issue. Thanks! Ed Swift Check out our website: www.cwoauscg.org The Sea Spoilers -- A Universal Picture (1936). Cast: John Wayne, Nan Grey,William Bakewell, Fuzzy Knight, Russell Hicks, George Irving, Lotus Long, HarryWorth, and Ernest Hillars. Synopsis:As a Coast Guard WO1 (BOSN), John Wayne is temporarily in charge of a cutter patrolling Alaskan waters. Commander Mays, his boss and Mays 9son take over as commanding officers. Academy graduate LieutenantMays has a fear of the sea and pleads with his father to transfer him back to the Coast Guard 9s air arm. With the lieutenant gone, Wayne is again in charge and captures a gang of seal poachers. Member News &Reunions Letter fr om the Association Vice Pr esident First, I want to convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to my fellow Chief Warrant Officers for their confidence in me by electing me as Vice President of this very prestigious Association. Next a little background. My name is James Green; how- ever, I go by cJ.T. d. I 9ve been called a few other choice names but I 9ll save that for another time. Although I 9ve been a Bos 9n all my life, the Coast Guard decided to pay me for it some time after I enlisted in 1983. My prior assignments include three ships, four stations, a SARDET, a cboathouse d, two Groups, twoANTs, and most recently, after accepting my commission, I ended up here, at HQ in the logistics office (don 9t ask). Positions I 9ve held in Military Associations include: char- ter member and treasurer for the Liberty Bell (PA) chap- ter of the CGEA, president of the PortAngeles (WA) chapter of the CPOA, and Vice President of the R e d wood/Empire (CA) chapter of the CPOA. I 9m married with two sons. I try to spend my off-time with either my camping trailer or my Harley. As the VP, I will continue to actively educate potential new members and encour- age participation by new and existing members alike. As with any credible organ- ization, we are only as strong as our membership allows us to be, and towards that, I ask for your assis- tance and offer my services. Please take the opportunity to speak with your fellow CWOs, new and old, and encourage them to join the organization. If we focus on retaining our existing members, serving our membership 9s interests, and expanding our membership to include new blood, we will all reap the benefits. Beyond the strong legislative voice we share, important benefits for members and/or dependent chil- dren include, health & insurance benefits; educational assis- tance; discounted membership to Boat/US; and a rental car discount program. As a reminder, newWarrants receive a dis- counted membership cost if they join right after their commis- sioning. Lastly, I want to remind everyone that as a cost sav- ing measure and in an effort to speed up our electronic con- nection to the outside world, including increased reliability, we have changed our e-mail service and address. This meas- ure will save the Association several hundred dollars a year and provide a reliable communication link to the rest of the Association. Please update your address books with our new e-mail address: cw oauscg@v erizon.net .This change will be reflected in the newsletter as well as the web page. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting. J.T.Green CGC Southwind & USS Atka Reunion A joint Coast Guard/Navy reunion is planned for crewmembers from the USCGC Southwind (WAGB- 280) and USS Atka (AGB-3) on 27-29 April 2006 in Baltimore, Md. Contact: CWO4 Henry G.Giles, USNR (Ret.) at (734) 591-3068. Details available at: www .ussatka.or g . Ice br eak er Muster All past and present Coast Guard icebreaker sailors are invited to attend the first Coast Guard Icebreaker Muster to be held May 1-5, 2006 at the Ramada Express Hotel/Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Hotel room rate is only $17. Optional events will include a riverboat dinner cruise, horseback trail ride steak din- ner, golf, keno and slot tournaments, and a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Banquet entertainment will be a Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin Tribute. Get more information and download registration form at: www .icebreak er - muster .com . W estern Gr eat Lak es Reunion On Saturday, May 20, 2006, the 45th Annual Western Great Lakes Reunion will be held at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 2580 South Ashland Ave., Green Bay,Wisc. All persons who are, or ever were, affiliat- ed with the active duty Coast Guard, SPARS, Coast Guard Reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary, their spouses, family members, companions and friends are invited and encouraged to attend. Many attendees are or were stationed in the Western Great Lakes at some point and reunion attendance is usually about 160 persons. Contacts: John Ingram at 21030 Coral Sea Rd., Miami, Fla. 33189. Phone: (305) 251-8206. E-mail: JHI8409@aol.com or Bill Oldenburg at 4530 Weber Rd., Sturgeon Bay,Wisc. 54235. Phone: (920) 743-1176. E- mail: botse@itol.com . CWO News3Jan-Feb-Mar 806 CWOAmember CWO4 (PERS) John W. Laine,USCG(Ret.) gives a sharp salute to celebrate his 91st birthday.The Association sent John a congratulatory letter and CWOA coin for his birthday. John retired in September 1969 and now resides in Hancock,Mich.Happy birth- day John! Member News &Reunions 327 9 Secr etary Class Cutters Reunion The 70th anniversary celebration of the Coast Guard 9s 327 9 cSecretary d Class Cutters (1936-2006) will be held Oct. 5-8, 2006 at the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn, 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Hwy. 17, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Anyone who served on a ny of the cutters ( Bibb, Campbell, Duane, Hamilton, Ingham, Spencer or Taney ) is invited to this once-in-a-lifetime event. Plans include a trip to Patriots Point, a Memorial Service presented by the CGCIngham honoring all 327 9er sailors who have crossed the bar, a luncheon aboard USS Yorktown , dockside tours of Charleston and the Coast Guard 378 9s at the Navy Yard, and a trip to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center to see the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley . Contact: Gordon Bell at (215) 393-6195. E-mail: 327CuttersCele@comcast.net. For reservations, call 1-800- 290-4004 and use Code: CGC. CGC Ingham Reunion A reunion of CGCIngham (WHEC-35) will be held in con- junction with the 70th Anniversary Celebration for the Coast Guard 9s 327 9 cSecretary d Class Cutters Oct. 5-7, 2006 at Mt. Pleasant, S.C. If you are interested in attending or have infor- mation regarding Ingham shipmates, please contact Jack L. Elam at 1659 W. Jenny St., Lecanto, Fla. 34461. Phone: (352) 746-0079. E-mail: jlecpe10058@ear thlink.net . Sailing Into The Ab yss In previous issues of the CWONews, we have mentioned the book, Sailing Into The Abyss, ATrue Story of Extreme Heroism on the High Seas , written by CWOAmember CWO4 William Benedetto (Ret.) . Due to the success of the hard- c over edition, Bill is proud to report that Ke n s i n g t o n Publishing is now bringing out a paperback version as well. The paperback will be available at bookstores and websites in March. The book is a true account of the tragic voyage of the merchant freighter S SB a d ger State which departed the Seattle area in 1969 with a load of bombs destined for Vietnam. Congratulations Bill! Maintenance Engineer W anted The Baltimore Maritime Museum is looking for a mainte- nance engineer for the historic ships USCGCTaney , Lightship 116 cChesapeake d , and USSTorsk .This would be a great 8retirement job 9with flexible hours and would be ideally suit- ed to a retired MK, Machinists Mate, or possibly electrician, or a retired YARDtechnician with experience. The job requires operating and maintaining HVAC, plumbing and shipboard electrical. Contact: Paul Cora , Curator, Baltimore Maritime Museum, c/o USCGCTaney at 701 E. Pratt Street, Pier 5, Baltimore, Md. 21202. Ph: (410) 382-0200. E-mail: paul@baltomaritimemuseum.or g . TRICARE and Other Health Insur ance Editor 9 s Note:This article, provided by DM Bob Lewis, combines information in the TRICARE Standard Health Matters for 2006 and the Health Net Provider News 2-2006. Coor dinating Health Co v er ag e Do you have other health insurance (OHI)? TRICARE Standard beneficiaries with OHI can follow these basic guidelines to help ensure claims are paid correctly and with- out hassle. -- Find out which plan pays first. Your OHI is required to pay before TRICARE makes a payment. If you are entitled to a public program, be aware that TRICARE pays second to Medicare, but pays primary to Medicaid,TRICARE supple- ments, the Indian Health Service and other programs/plans as identified by the TRICARE Management Activity. -- When you have OHI, follow your plan 9s guidelines for referrals and prior authorizations. For TRICARE, it also is critical to obtain prior authorization for certain services (see cCoordinating Referrals and Authorizations with OHI for a list) or your claims may be denied. -- If your OHI denies your claim because you did not fol- low the plan 9s rules, TRICARE will not make a primary pay- ment and may not make a secondary payment. For TRICARE to make a secondary payment in such cases, you must obtain a statement from the OHI indicating the amount it would have paid had requirements been met. -- If your OHI is a health maintenance organization (HMO), make sure your provider is an authorized provider for both your OHI and TRICARE. Otherwise, you may be required to pay out of pocket for the care. Don 9 t T oss the EOB Statements The TRICARE explanation of benefits (EOB) statement provides a record of your medical care and TRICARE pay- ments. You will receive an EOB following every health care visit when you are responsible for a portion of the visit 9s costs. The TRICARE EOB Statement 3 which is not a bill 4 tells you which processes to follow if you are not satisfied with the TRICARE payment and it, serves as documentation for a possible income tax deduction. EOB statements also are critical to coordinating your TRI- CARE and OHI claims. When TRICARE P a ys Second Following a health care visit, your provider submits a CWO News4Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Member News &Reunions CWO News5Jan-Feb-Mar 806 claim to your OHI plan first. The OHI pays its benefits as the first payment and then sends you and the provider an EOB state- ment indicating the amount paid. Next, your provider should send a claim form (CMS 1500) or you should send a claim form (DD Form 2642) with informa- tion from the primary insurer 9s EOB statement to TRICARE for secondary.TRICARE does not always pay the beneficiary 9s copayment or balance remaining after the OHI payment. Refer to the TRICARE Web site at www.tricare.osd.mil for details. Calculating P a yments Payments from the primary payer and TRICARE as the second payer will not collectively exceed the TRICARE allowable charge. Providers may not collect any out-of-pocket cost from the beneficiary after the payment of the claim unless TRICARE and the OHI combined have failed to pay: the negotiated rate if a network provider, the allowable charge if a non-network provider accepting assignment; or 115 percent of the allowable charge if a non-network provider not accepting assignment. If the primary insurer has paid more than what TRICARE would have allowed for the service, then no additional payment will be made. The beneficiary should not be charged the cost-share when the explanation of benefits (EOB) shows no patient responsibility. When TRICARE P a ys Fir st Besides serving as primary payer to Medicaid,TRICARE supplements, the Indian Health Service and other TMA-identified programs, TRICARE pays first when your OHI benefits have been exhausted or when a service is not covered under your OHI but is covered under TRICARE. However, you must first submit your claim to your OHI for a denial, which must then be attached to the claim submitted to TRICARE. If the service is not covered under the OHI, you may submit other creditable documentation showing the noncoverage. In these cases, you or your provider should send a claim form directly to TRICARE for. Pr escription Drug Claims and OHI If you have prescription drug coverage from another plan, you must use that policy first when filling prescriptions at a retail pharmacy.You may seek full or partial reimbursement from TRICARE for out-of-pocket costs by mailing a DD Form 2642 pharmacy claim to: Express Scripts,Inc.,P.O.Box 66518,St.Louis,MO 63166-6518 . Claims must be filed within one year of the date of service, but it is best not to wait. File your claims as soon as possible after you pay for your prescription. To receive maximum coverage from TRICARE, you should fill prescriptions either at a military treatment facility pharma- cy or at a pharmacy in the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy (TRRx) network. To find a TRICARE retail pharmacy or for more infor- mation about filing pharmacy claims, visit: www .e xpress-scripts.com/TRICARE or call 1-866-DoD-TRRX (1-866-363-8779) . TRICARE Standard beneficiaries with OHI prescription drug coverage may not use the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) program unless the medication is not covered under the other plan, or unless the dollar limit of coverage under the other plan has been exceeded. Coor dinating Referr als & A uthorizations with OHI Referrals and prior authorizations for TRICARE beneficiaries who have OHI are not required, except for the following cov- ered services: Adjunctive dental care; Extended Care Health Option (ECHO); Home health services; Hospice care; Inpatient behavioral health admissions (including substance abuse); Outpatient behavioral health care beyond the eighth visit; Psychoanalysis; and Transplants (solid organ and stem cell). Prior authorization for the above services is required in all three TRICARE Regions. AdditionallyTRICARE South Region (1-800-444-5445) and TRICARE West Region (1-888-TRIWEST) require prior authorization for the following services: Blepharoplasty; MRI or MRA; Hysterectomy; PET/SPECT/bone scans; Mammoplasty; Occupational, physical, and speech therapy; Septoplasty; Durable medical equipment; Speech therapy; Hearing aids; and Clinical trials. Additionally, if the OHI benefits are exhausted,TRICARE becomes the primary payer and additional authorization require- ments may apply. For more information about TRICARE Standard and OHI, visit: www .tricare.osd.mil/TRICAREStandard . Notices &Chapter News V A Home Loan Pr o gr am Effective Jan. 1, 2006, changes in the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guaranty limits mean that veterans are now able to get no-down-payment loans up to $417,000, up from the previous ceiling of $359,650. The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 tied increases in the VAguaranty to increases in the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 9s conforming loan limit. When this limit increases, VAguaran- ty limits also go up, allowing VA to keep pace with rising home values. VA-guaranteed home loans are made by banks and mortgage companies to veterans, service members and reservists. For more information about VA home loan bene- fits, go to: www .homeloans.v a.go v or call 1-800-827-1000. Helpful New W e bsite Military Connection is pleased to announce the launch of its new military website: www .militar yconnection.com .This site offers a comprehensive online directory of information and resources for each branch of the U.S. military, as well as for veterans, retirees, DoD civilians and their families. This military website provides military pay charts, salary calcula- tors, and federal, government and civilian job opportunities. It includes a Directory of Employers featuring thousands of employers, mil- itary school directories and military education benefits, as well as free coupons and databases of military commissaries, exchanges, military news and military benefits. CW OPD Class 03-06 Twenty three Chief Warrant Officers gathered on a cold and rainy M o n d ay, January 23, 2006 in New London, Connecticut to commence the C WO Professional Deve l o p m e n t Course Class 03/06. The class repre- sented almost all of the CWO Specialties, having accumulated 429 combined years of service and 145 combined years of sea service. By making life difficult for all that walked through the door and adding some good-natured humor, the class took on the personality of Hoga n 9s Heroes. They did however, make a good impres- sion on the LDC staff by coming together quickly and tackling all the LDC 9s challenges head-on. Throughout the 2 week transitional course, the class was introduced to a number of professional development topics as well as a number of professionals. CWO Guy Cashman provided the tools we needed to quickly come together and begin the transition process. CWO Kathleen Parker administered (with a smile) daily booster shots of impromptu public speaking and history briefs. Pre- coffee Dr. Patrick made sure we didn 9t trip over our dangling modifiers and post-coffee Dr. Patrick assisted us with English triage. CWO O 9Hara taught the class to become a danger to everyone with his superb sword training. CDR Bald kept everyone on their toes by providing the class with a greater knowledge of CG legal and ethics as well as airborne candy and movie quotes. LT Brian Caudle provided outstanding instruction on the OER and squeezed the most out of a small block of time. A special thanks goes out to CAPT Brimblecom who engaged the class in a lively discussion on effective leadership. cLost In Transition d is the adopted motto of class 03/06. Though humorous, each Chief Warrant Officer graduated with greater knowledge and the additional tools needed to lead the Coast Guard into the future. A sin- cere thanks to the LDC staff for their professional insights, professionalism and instruction. CWO2 Richard B.Mankin CWO News6Jan-Feb-Mar 806 CWO Professional Development Class 03-06 23 January-03 February 2006.(Left to Right Front:Row):F&S2 Luis Cruz,AVI2 Scott Milstead,AVI2 Gilbert Hall,BOSN2 James Bigbie,ELC2 Alan Sease,OSS2 Richard Mankin,WEPS2 Nick Hall,BOSN2 Mark King.(Left to Right 2nd Row):MSS2 Paul Thunberg,BOSN2 Gale Howerton, PERS2 Tivo Romero,MSS2 Hermes Rodriguez,ENG2 Vincent Berg,OSS2 Jeffery Smith,MSS2 Galen Wetzel,ELC2 George Smith,ELC2 Chris McCann.(Left to Right Back Row):ELC2 Richard Slocum,ENG2 William Grace,OSS2 John Leary,MSS2 Kasim Bernable,ELC2 David Carraway,F&S2 Gary Hills Notices &Chapter News CW OPD Class 04-06 On 13 Fe b ru a ry 2006, class got underway for the members of CWO PD Class 04-06. That is not to say that it was a smooth start. A bliz- zard with driving snow and h owling winds arr ived the previous day and that caused the USCG Academy as well as the entire Nort h e a s t e rn United States to come to a screeching halt, but all our members safely made it. We came from as far away as duty locations in A l a s k a , C a l i f o rnia, Michiga n , Illinois, and Florida, and as close by as NewYork and Boston, with others arriving from Vi rginia, Nort h Carolina, and Wa s h i n g t o n , DC.. From the very first day, we bonded strongly with each other. Each of us had diverse family backgrounds with two members growing up in the countries of Mexico and Chile, while others grew up in the states of South Dakota, Illinois, Oregon, NewYork, Mississippi, Alabama, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Georgia, and North Carolina. Our accompanying class picture says it all!!!! Class members were Jon Adams, Eneida Bull, Allison Chandler, Drew Clapp, Mack Coleman, Mark Gilmore, Tom Gough, Chuck Hall, Chris Jones, Tim Jones, Dave Ladomirak, Kelly Merchen, Max Ortiz, Darren Schumake r, Chris Siebenschuh, Ti m Stevens, and Bob Stewart. We had real inspiration from class instructor CWO Kathleen Parker, guitar picking and rope techniques from class instructor CWO Guy Cashman, and true leadership from the CWOPD School Chief, LT Brian Caudle. They were each an important asset to our class and they are all outstanding officers. We participated fully in all the course exercises; mentally and physically. Our morale events were the best and all of us had fun participating. Also, as a class, we were able to attend the great leadership speech given byVADM Allen at the Academy on 23 February, and other class members were able to attend the classic play cOliver d performed by the cadets on 25 February. Another eventful time that our class will never forget was our community service day. Several of our class members went to the Women 9s Center of Southeastern Connecticut located in New London. They painted several rooms at the facility and personally donated needed supplies. Their work was greatly appreciated by the center 9s staff. The other class members went to the Hasbro Children 9s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. While there, they enthusiastically devoted their energy and time by entertaining the kids. The kids were able to forget their health problems for several hours and our members enjoyed every minute they were able to spend with them. Finally, class graduation arrived on 3 March 2006. RDML David Pekoske, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, was the guest speaker. He gave an inspirational speech and followed up with presenting each CWOPD student a D1 coin, challenging us to share what we learned at the CWOPD School. CWOAPresident CWO3 Doug Van Oort, presented the CWO Spirit Award to ELC2 Chris Jones. CWO2 Drew Clapp, our class leader, rounded out the ceremony by giving a humorous as well as a moving graduation speech. At the end, we all bid each other farewell and departed for our jour- neys back to our units. Semper Paratus CWOs! CWO2Chris Siebenschuh CW O PD Class 05-06 On 24 March 2006, all 25 members of the CWO Professional Course 05-06 successfully completed the profes- sional development requirements for the two-week course. The challenging leadership curriculum covered a wide range of topics that included team building exercises, English com- CWO News7Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Members of CWOPDClass 04-06 Notices &Chapter News position, public speaking, Coast Guard history, military eti- quette, swordsmanship, military law, project management, written communications, and various other leadership-train- ing sessions. Captain Brimblecom ceremoniously presented certificates of accomplishment to each CWO. This was one of the largest classes and was truly a mile- stone for each Chief Warrant Officer that attended. The skills learned helped to sharpen the lessons learned during the pre- vious 5-week Chief Petty Officer course of instruction. Dr. Patrick 9s English composition class was extremely beneficial 4 his positive style and enthusiasm fostered a great learning experience for all. With over 467 years of active duty experi- ence and 129 years of cumulative sea service, the diverse background of broad based knowledge shared from each Chief Warrant Officer Specialty enhanced this experience. Social and extracurricular activities added to a productive and memorable part of the networking experience. Our morale bowling event at the Academy provided a relaxing environ- ment to enjoy the camaraderie that developed over the previ- ous two weeks. The class event was hallmarked by a visit and presentation from Admiral Loy (USCG Ret). A special thanks to CWO Guy Cashman and to CWO Kathleen Parker for providing this excellent course of instruction. Congratulations to all of the newly appointed Chief Warrant Officers for a job well done! J ob Oppor tunities The following two executive positions are being offered by International Registries, Inc. of Reston, VA, Interested appli- cants should contact the HR Director as indicated. Seafarer Documentation Service Area Manager. Location: Reston, VA (25 mi NW of DC) The candidate reports directly to the Senior V.P., Maritime Operations. The Service Area Manager is authorized to exe- cute the functions of the Seafarer Documentation Service Area for a major maritime ship registry.The Manager has direct control over daily operations, review of all official doc- uments, routine correspondence, and quality customer service for domestic and international clientele. Information about the Administration may be found at www.register-iri.com . The Service Area Manager reviews and evaluates applica- tions on a daily basis for ship 9s navigation and engineering O fficer Cert i fication, seafarer Special Qualifi c a t i o n s Certification and seafarer Identity Documents, and serves in the capacity of cExamination Administrator d supervising examinations, serves as a member of the Investigation Review Board, handles supply and service procurement requests, maintains employee oversight and performance evaluations for staff and other tasks as directed. The candidate should have strong managerial and commu- nications skills in addition to five or more years of commer- cial sea service as a deck officer, or equivalent experience in licensing and documentation of mariners. A thorough knowl- edge of STCW, SOLAS, and ISM requirements is needed. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. A full benefit package including medical, dental, vacation and 401-K plan is available. Interested can- didates should send resume along with salary requirements by email to: hr@re gister -iri.com , or Fax to Human Resources at (703) 716-1345. USAA Loan F or New Of f icers USAAnow offers a $25,000 loan with fixed rates starting as low as 2% (AT 2%). It 9s called a Pre-Commissioning or Career Starter Loan. Coast Guard CWO2 9s are eligible if they apply for it within one year of their date of rank to CWO2. In addition, they must have the following: -- a USAAchecking account (or open one). -- Direct Deposit for your primary income deposited into the account. CWO News8Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Members of CWOProfessional Development Course 05-06 Notices &Chapter News CWO News9Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Payments on the loan are pulled directly from the account. Loan funds are disbursed into the checking account and payments are pulled from it. Overdraft pro- tection must be set up (savings account or credit card, even if not USAA). EFT transfers to other bank accounts are free so it might be easier to do this manually from time to time instead of setting up an allotment to another bank account. You do have to send in a transfer approval document before making transfers to another finan- cial institution. This appears to be a much bet- ter deal than the $5,000 loan from Navy Mutual Aid, which also requires you to have some sort of insurance with their loan. For more information, con- tact USAABank at 1-800-531- 2265 Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 Central Time. CWOAVP for Retired Affairs Bill Reet (above), represented the Association and the Suncoast Chapter January 28,2006 at the annual USCGC Buckthorn Memorial Ceremony. Have our donations helped our shipmates? You bet! Left to right,CWO4 Garry M.Ortner (Ret.) of Sidell,La.,CWO3 Brandt A.Martin of New Orleans,and CWO4 Tony M.Robinson (Ret.) of Gretna,La.were all recipients of funds donated by the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.Chapters,CW&WOA,for Hurricane Katrina Relief.Also receiving needed funds was CWO2 John W.Ward (not pictured) who works at Stennis Space Center.The donations were most welcome by the recipients and they wish to thank the members of the two chapters for their concern and financial assistance.Several of the recipients are currently living in FEMAtrailers while others are able to live in part of their homes while repairs are being done. Coast Guard Leadership VADM Thad W.Allen Statement regarding his nomination to be Commandant of the U.S.Coast Guard, given before the Senate Committee on Commerce,Science and Transportation on March 9,2006 Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee. I am honored to be before you today and look forward to listening to your views and answering your questions. I am grateful for the confidence of President Bush in nominat- ing me to be the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. I can think of no greater honor and no better way to continue serving our Nation than through our Coast Guard, a Service whose embedded responsibilities impact everyAmerican. Today I will discuss my priorities and objectives and provide an overview of where I intend to lead the Coast Guard. First, let me comment on our world of work. The Coast Guard's "world of work" is our oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, bays, sounds, harbors and our waterways - this is the mar - itime domain and it is unique. Distinct from land borders characterized by clear legal boundaries, our oceans represent the las t global commons. As the Committee knows well, we live in an interconnected world. Nowhere is this fact more exemplified than in the maritime domain. It is fundamental to our own and the international community's economic prosperity.As a result, mar- itime safety and security are not just issues of U.S. national interest and security, but of global stability.The maritime doma in is also enormously complex, with an unparalleled variety of users. From the world's largest cruise ships and tankers to profession al fishermen and weekend boaters, the profiles of maritime users are as varied as the jagged coastlines surrounding our country. Thankfully, the nation has built a Coast Guard able to successfully operate in this complex and unique environment. Single- purpose agencies such as the Revenue Cutter Service, the Lifesaving Service, and the Lighthouse Service have been integrated over the last century into the uniquely effective and efficient Service we are today.The Coast Guard you oversee, the Coast Gua rd that we have collectively built has a relatively straightforward purpose - exercise authorities and deploy capability to guaran tee the safety and security of the U.S. maritime domain. That is who we are, what we are charged to do, and represents the core charac- ter of the service. We are military, multi-mission, and maritime. While the character and nature of our Service are clear, our missions are not static. New threats emerge as others are mitigat- ed and Coast Guard capabilities, competencies, organizational structure, and processes must change accordingly. If confirmed, m y enduring goal will be to lead a Coast Guard that is steadfast in its character but adaptive in its methods. The work of this Committee helped ensure that the Coast Guard was transferred intact to the Department of Homeland Security.We now must adapt to the reality of an ever-changing maritime domain. Our mandate and responsibility, indeed our pas- sion, is serving the Nation with the best leadership, authorities and capability we can muster. Secretary Chertoff has set forth a six-point agenda to guide near term Department of Homeland Security priorities and initia- tives. Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events; Create better transportation security systems; Str engthen border security, interior enforcement, and reform immigration processes; Enhance information sharing with our partners; Realign the Department of Homeland Security organization to maximize mission performance; and Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement, and information technology.These are the Secretary's priorities, and they are mine. If confirmed, I will work collaboratively throughout the Administration and with the Congress to translate this agenda into action. I will focus on: Mission execution ... performing the right tasks with the right doctrine that reduce risk, mitigate threats, improve response, increase preparedness, and enhance our ability to recover from events that occur; Capabilities and competencies ... we are noth - ing without our people, and our people cannot be effective without the right tools; and Coast Guard organizational structure th at optimizes mission execution ... aimed at field support, leveraging partnerships at all levels of government, and internally ali gned with DHS systems. The nature of the maritime domain requires an integrated, layered approach to its security.With 95,000 miles of coastline and 360 primary commercial ports, there is no fence or barrier that can be erected to protect our maritime borders. We are bounded CWO News10Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Coast Guard Leadership CWO News11Jan-Feb-Mar 806 by the oceans but we're not protected by them. It is precisely this reality that led the President to issue in September 2005 the National Strategy for Maritime Security.This strategy is unprecedented in its dedicated focus on the maritime domain and the neces- sity for its global security.The NSMS addresses the full range of maritime threats and is not limited to terrorism. With the structure provided by the Congress in both the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, together with the International Ship and Port facility Security code, the requisi te pieces are in place to provide a maritime policy framework appropriate to the risks we collectively face. To further strengthen maritime border security, I will develop and deploy a supporting Coast Guard Maritime Strategy. In December 2002, the Coast Guard published its Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security and it has served us exceedingly well. Under Admiral Collins' leadership, we have moved boldly to accomplish its objectives and execute its directed initiatives. Now is an appropriate time to "take a fix", and lay out a track line for the future. The Coast Guard's Maritime Strategy will directly sup- port both the NSMS and MTSA and integrate our activities related to security, safety, preparedness, response and recovery.With that strategy as a foundation, I will work closely with DHS, the Administration and with the Congress to align legislative, bud g- etary, and rulemaking activity in support of national policy. The Coast Guard's capstone doctrinal publication, what we call "Pub 1," is entitled America's Maritime Guardian. It describes how, while executing multiple missions, we "harmonize what seem to be contradictory mandates. We are charged at once to be policemen and sailors, warriors, humanitarians, regulators, stewards of the environment, diplomats, and guardians of the coast. Thus we are military, multi-mission, and maritime." Our value proposition to the American public lies in our ability to shift among roles with the same platforms and personnel, capable and competent of performing a range of missions. This is made possible by adhering to Coast Guard principles of oper- ations that have evolved, and been tested, over two centuries of maritime operations. They are codified in "Pub 1" and listed b elow: Clear objective, Effective presence, Unity of effort, On-scene initiative, Flexibility, Managed risk, and Restraint. The application of these principles across a wide-ranging mission portfolio is the mission model of the Coast Guard. The exer- cise of these principles by our ship captains, pilots, aircrews, and boat crews was never more evident than in the response to Hurricane Katrina. These principles were also the tools I used in the execution of my duties as Principal Federal Official for the response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From national incidents to day-to-day operations, from local responses to interagency efforts across broad regions, from domestic enforcement to international partnership - these principles empower and enable exe- cution of all our missions. If confirmed, I intend to build on the time-tested strength of this operational model and ensure it is ready for the dynamic maritime domain we face. The Coast Guard is well versed in operating land-based and large mobile assets such as cutters and maritime patrol aircraft. However, deployable units such as strike teams and port security units have evolved in the last thirty years and are relatively new force structures in the Coast Guard. After September 11, 2001, additional capability was added to these forces in the creation of Maritime Safety and Security Teams. Based on my experience leading the Federal response to the Gulf hurricanes, I am convinced we can better exploit the special operational capabilities inherent in these deployable units. By grouping these capabilities i nto tai- lored force packages under a unified chain of command, we will sharpen our own tool kit for maritime disaster and threat response. More importantly, we will be better able to integrate these Coast Guard capabilities with other DHS and Federal capa- bilities such as Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement, urban search and rescue teams, disaster medical assistance teams and, when deployed, DOD forces. If confirmed, my first step will be to align Coast Guard deployable forces internally and then seek opportunities to integrate these forces with other DHS and Federal capabilities. The Coast Guard has embarked on a comprehensive re-capitalization of our cutters, aircraft, and C4ISR architecture through the Integrated Deepwater System. Delivery of these assets to relieve aging ships, aircraft, and systems is essential to our for ces' near-term readiness and long-term effectiveness. Extensive effort has been expended to adjust this program to meet new post-9/1 1 requirements and address gaps arising from the increased operations tempo required to meet current threats. I am personally com - mitted to executing this program in the most effective manner possible. Our nation needs these platforms and the improved oper- ational capability they deliver. My focus will be on program management, effective cost control, integrated logistics support, and platform effectiveness. In addition, successful stewardship and program execution associated with both the Rescue 21 and Response Boat - Medium acquisitions are critical to current and future operations of our shore-based and coastal operating forc es. Under Admiral Collins' watchwords of Readiness, People, and Stewardship, we have significantly grown and improved the competency of the Coast Guard's work force. This unflinching focus on people has benefited the Service at every level. The chal - CWO News12Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Coast Guard Leadership lenge I accept is to continue to provide Coast Guard personnel the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to effectively co n- tribute to mission execution and at the same time further individual growth, career development, and life-long learning. Identification of core competencies needed to operate and maintain new boats, cutters, aircraft, and sensors must be accelerate d and completed to allow delivery of new platforms at full operational capability.The terrific work of the current Master Chief o f the Coast Guard Frank Welch to provide leadership training at key accession and transition points must be sustained. Leadership training and broader exposure to homeland security policy and operations should be provided to mid-level managers. Finally, ini - tiatives to improve law enforcement competencies, language proficiency, and officer specialty management must continue. The Coast Guard has taken bold steps to consolidate shore-based forces at the port level into single, mission-focused Sector commands. This consolidation will provide a single point of accountability for operations. It will also unify resource allocati on and enable risk based decision-making tools to focus Coast Guard capability and competencies to reduce risk and mitigate threat s. Based on the new Sector mission delivery system and the new requirements for deployable forces, I will conduct a compre- hensive review of existing command and control structures, and logistics and maintenance systems to ensure that the Coast Guard is optimally organized to support field operations. In addition, we will develop and enhance partnerships within DHS and at all levels of government to improve interoperability, joint operating procedures, and employment of finite resources. The vastness and complexity of the maritime domain make public and private partnerships a prerequisite of preparedness and effective response. For example, the standards-based approach of MTSA and ISPS regulatory efforts explicitly recognize that security and commerce cannot be competing interests. The combination of detailed performance standards and rigorous Coast Guard enforcement has made us safer.Additionally, the creation and regulatory enforcement of security partnerships at the port and national level will allow us to make continual enhancements to our collective effort. In the public arena, I believe the Coast Guard is well positioned and uniquely equipped to contribute to the growing relation- ships between DHS and the Departments of Defense and Justice, as well as the Director of National Intelligence. For example, the recent issuance of a revised Navy-Coast Guard National Fleet Policy by the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant focuses on our shared world of work and the best combined use of our respective capabilities and competencies in support of the NSMS. Similarly, the recently published Quadrennial Defense Review speaks directly to the need and value of fully integrating Coast Guard capabilities into defense planning. Further, the President has laid out a specific vision for glo bal maritime intelligence integration. As a member of the Intelligence Community, I will seek to strengthen the Coast Guard's rela- tionship across the community to help facilitate DHS' achievement of the President's vision. In too many cases, the Coast Guard's current finance, maintenance, and logistics systems are based upon platforms (e.g., avi- ation, surface) rather than common functions or processes. A unified financial accounting system is a requirement for effective support to the field, necessary for the deployment of internal control systems, and fundamental in addressing material weakness - es identified in recent audits. At the same time, the Integrated Deepwater System acquisition is transforming our maintenance a nd logistics systems. The inadequacy of the status quo as well as future requirements require that the Coast Guard develop and dep loy an integrated, transformational business architecture that aligns with DHS and, above all, facilitates more effective mission e xe- cution. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee - I have spent my entire life in the United States Coast Guard. I was born while my enlisted father, a Seaman on the deck force, was underway on a Coast Guard cutter. In 1967, I traded my dependent's ID card for an active duty card when I entered the United States Coast Guard Academy. I have seen life from the junior enlisted ranks a s a dependent, and I have been lucky enough to advance through the organization as an active duty officer. The entirety of this experience has prepared me to sit before you today, and I am truly honored by the trust that the President and Secretary Chertoff have placed in me. My Coast Guard service has ingrained in me an abiding respect for its people, their work, and the value this work provides to the Nation. My pledge to the Committee and the public we serve is to effectively lead and improve a tested and trusted organization that provides value to people's lives every day. Editor 9 s Note:On March 29,2006,Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the con- firmation of VADMThad W.Allen.His statement read: cI am delighted that Thad Allen has been confirmed by the Senate as the 23rd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.Thad is a highly-respected Coast Guard veteran who has served our nation with distinction for more than three decades.He will more than justify the confidence that the President and Senate place in him.I commend the Senate for acting quickly to confirm Thad,and I look forward to his continued lead- ership at the department. d From the entire CW&WOAmembership,congratulations Admiral! CWO News13Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Miscellaneous CWOA Coin The CWOSteven Shields - Alexandria Chapter presents the CWOACoin, a beauti- ful, full-color coin that is a perfect gift for the newest members of your chapter, as an addi- tion to shadow boxes for retiring members, or for the military coin collector. Each coin is protected in a clear acrylic case. Order one for only $12.00 (includes shipping) or pick one up for only $10.00. ORDER FORM Name: ________________________________ Number of Coins Ordered: ___________________ Address: _______________________________________ State: ____________ Zip:___________ Send check or money order to:CWOSteven Shields -- Alexandria Chapter CWOA c/o Commanding Officer, USCGTISCOM 7323 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, VA22315 Attn: CWO Frank Hesson Both sides of the CWOCoin ADDRESS CHANGE FORM Help us keep in contact with you. If you are planning to move, have recently moved, or the address label on your CWO News is incorrect, please complete this form and return it to us at: Chief Warrant &Warrant Officers Association, USCG, c/o James Creek Marina, 200 V Street, SW, Washington, DC20024. ________________________________________________________________________________ (First Name)(M.I.)(Last Name)(Membership Number) ________________________________________________________________________________ (Street Address) ________________________________________________________________________________ (City)(State)(Zip Code)(Date of Change) ________________________________________________________________________________ Membership News CWO News14Jan-Feb-Mar 806 N AME UNIT SPONSOR CWO2 (F&S) Todd M. Shields, , USCG ISC KodiakThe Association CWO2 (MSS) Douglas J.Weber, , USCG Sector Northern New EnglandThe Association CWO2 (ENG) Dallas L. Brown, , USCG CGC VigorousThe Association CWO2 (OSS) Michele C. Roe, , USCG MSSTLA/LB(91103)The Association CWO2 (MED) Daniel S. Speer, , USCG MLCPAC (kma)The Association CWO2 (MAT) Jason D. Briggs, , USCG CEU ProvidenceThe Association CWO2 (BOSN) Christopher W.Acklin, USCG D7 TACLETThe Association CWO2 (MSS) Earl E. Schlemmer, , USCG Sector Corpus ChristiThe Association CWO2 (AVI) Keith C. Pinto, , USCG USCG AR&SCThe Association CWO2 (F&S) Melvin B. Howard, , USCG ISC ClevelandThe Association CWO2 (F&S) Anthony G. Parker, , USCG CGC MorganthauThe Association CWO2 (ENG) Guy D.Wall, , USCG MSO PortArthur,TXThe Association CWO2 (ENG) Michael S. Dykema, , USCG NESU PortsmouthThe Association CWO2 (BOSN) Mark P. Gilmore, , USCG ISC KodiakThe Association CWO2 (BOSN) Michael R. Lemay, , USCG Sector BaltimoreThe Association CWO2 (COMM) Richard E. Morris, , USCGRThe Association CWO2 (ELC) George S. Smith, , USCG USCGC Midgett (WHEC-726)The Association CWO2 (ISM) Steven L. Chapman, , USCG ICCThe Association CWO2 (ENG) William E. Grace, , USCG CGC TahomaThe Association CWO2 (ELC) Nelson E. Hall, , USCG USCG Headquarters (G-RPC)The Association CWO2 (ENG) Kasim Bernabe, , USCG Sector San JuanThe Association CWO2 (MSS) Paul D.Thunberry, , USCG Sector Portland,WAThe Association CWO2 (PERS) Tivo M. Romero, , USCG Tracen YorktownThe Association CWO2 (ELC) David E. Carraway, , USCG MLCAThe Association CWO2 (BOSN) Gale W. Howerton, , USCG Group Upper MississippiiThe Association CWO3 (PERS) Robert M. Fisher, , USCG D14 HonoluluThe Association CWO2 (BOSN) James R. Bigbie, , USCG USGC MorganthauThe Association CWO2 (ELC) Richard S. Slocum, , USCG MLC-LANTThe Association CWO2 (OSS) Richard B. Mankin, , USCG ATC MobileThe Association CWO2 (ELC) Christopher J. McCann, , USCG TISCOMThe Association CWO2 (F&S) Michelle B. Sawyer, , USCG USCGC Tahoma (WMEC-908)The Association CWO2 (ELC) Timothy M. Stevens, , USCG ESUBostonThe Association New Members Welcome aboard wishes to the following new CW&WOA members: Membership Statistics as of 20 March 2006 Active Duty Full Dues (879)Active Duty Dues Free (1)Active Duty Life (8) Retired Full Dues (2023)Retired Dues Free (317)Retired Life (27) Reserve Full Dues (96)Reserve Dues Free (2)Reserve Life (2) Total Regular Members 3,355 CW O A Scholar ship Donation fr om CW O4 W illiam J . Merritt Membership News Cr ossed The Bar L T W illiam A. McCarr on, USCG (Retir ed) died on 17 November 2005. LT McCarron was born on 4 February 1922 and retired on 1 March 1951. He was a member of the Association 34 years. CW O3 (BOSN) Cr aig A. Maxw ell, USCG (Retir ed) died on 24 November 2005. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Brenda I. Maxwell of 901 NE 7th Street, Coupeville, WA 98239. CWO3 Maxwell was born on 10 June 1948 and retired on 1 November 1985. He was a member of the Association 24 years. CW O2 (ELC) F r ank R. Adams, USCG (Retir ed) died on 29 November 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Ms. Victoria F. Oefinger of 6 Lilly Drive, Little Egg Harbo, NJ 08087. CWO2 Adams was born on 26 June 1925 and retired on 1 August 1968. He was a member of the Association 41 years. CW O2 (ENG) Har land D . Speer , USCG (Retir ed) died on 10 December 2005. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Janice F. Speer of P.O. Box 75, Central Lake, MI 49622. CWO2 Speer was born on 28 October 1933 and retired on 1 January 1971. He was a member of the Association 39 years. LCDR Melvin W . Ellis, USCG (Retir ed) died on 11 December 2005. He is survived by his son, Mr. Michael W. Ellis of 16031 32nd Avenue, SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012. LCDR Ellis was born on 6 September 1928 and retired on 1 July 1977. He was a member of the Association 46 years. L T J ames W . Baile y , USCG (Retir ed) died on 17 December 2005. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Jean M. Bailey of 13415 S. Hills Drive, Reno, NV 89511-9236. LT Bailey was born on 27 July 1932 and retired on 1 September 1974. He was a member of the Association 38 years. CW O3 (CHBOSN) Rober t E. P enn y , Sr ., USCG (Retir ed) died on 22 December 2005. He is survived by his son, Mr. Robert E. Penny, Jr. of 22707 E Carla Vista Drive, Mesa, AZ 85212-7014. CWO3 Penny was born on 27 September 1924 and retired on 1 April 1968. He was a member of the Association 45 years. CW O4 (F&S) W arr en E. Rile y , USCG (Retir ed) died on 25 December 2005. He is survived by his son, Mr. Douglas H. Riley of 1166 Banyon Court, Naperville, IL 60540-6344. CWO4 Riley was born on 3 February 1922 and retired on 1 February 1971. He was a member of the Association 42 years. CW O4 (ELC) Ar thur R. Cha v onelle , USCG (Retir ed) died on 25 December 2005. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Portia S. Chavonelle of 462 Gephart St., S.W., Palm Bay, FL 32908. CWO4 Chavonelle was born on 26 February 1935 and retired on 1 June 1985. He was a member of the Association 40 years. CW O4 (BOSN) T ruxton W . P a yne , USCG (Retir ed) died on 27 December 2005. He is survived by his son, Mr. Gene D. Payne of 1620 Laurel Avenue, Chesapeake, VA 23325 and his daughter, Mrs. MaryAnn Dooley of 206 Reggie Owens Drive, Harbinger, NC 27941. CWO4 Payne was born on 13 August 1921 and retired on 1 August 1971. He was a member of the Association 44 years. CW O4 (F&S) W illiam S. O'Neill, USCG (Retir ed) died on 1 January 2006. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Linda A. O'Neill of 404 Parkwood Pl, Niceville, FL 32578. CWO4 O'Neill was born on 21 May 1924 and retired on 1 September 1974. He was a member of the Association 43 years. CW O2 (F&S) Le wis C. Moch, USCG (Retir ed) died on 6 January 2006. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Thelma H. Moch of 428 E. Markton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90061. CWO2 Moch was born on 13 September 1929 and retired on 1 July 1968. He was a member of the Association 43 years. CW O3 (MA T) K enneth L. Betchel, USCG (Retir ed) died on 18 January 2006. He is survived by his daughter, Ms. Cathy O'Malley of P O Box 486, Wellington, CO 80549. CWO3 Betchel was born on 4 june 1941 and retired on 1 June 1980. He was a member of the Association 30 years. CW O4 (BOSN) Cliff or d R. W attam, USCG (Retir ed) died on 23 January 2006. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Virginia Wattam of 495 Hickory Dr, Buchanan, TN 38222. CWO4 Wattam was born on 12 November 1921 and retired on 1 June 1970. He was a member of the Association 44 years. CW O3 (F&S) Casimir Malino vsk y , USCG (Retir ed) died on 23 January 2006. He is survived by his son, Mr. Joseph Malinovsky of 15696 Piedmont Place, Woodbridge, VA 22193. CWO3 Malinovsky was born on 15 November 1929 and retired on 1 June 1974. He was a member of the Association 39 years. CW O4 (PERS) W illiam J . Merritt, USCG (Retir ed) died on 30 January 2006. He is survived by his son, Mr. Richard A. Merritt of 13500 Rodgers Avenue, #913, Largo, FL 33771. CWO4 Merritt was born on 12 January 1919 and retired on 1 November 1970. He was a member of the Association 47 years. L T Har old G. W eber , USCG (Retir ed) died on 12 February 2006. He is survived by his son, Mr. Harry E. Weber of 21173 Smoker Road, San Benito, TX 78586-6744. LTWeber was born on 10 October 1912 and retired on 1 August 1956. He was a member of the Association 56 years. CWO News15Jan-Feb-Mar 806 Association Calendar 2006 Annual Association Meeting April 20-22, 2006 Comfort Inn and Conference Center U.S. 50 & MD 301 Bowie, MD 20718 CHIEF WARRANT AND WARRANT OFFICERS ASSOCIATION,USCG c/o James Creek MarinaJan-Feb-Mar 806 200 V Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20024-3321 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PRSRTSTD USPOSTAGE PAID Woodbridge, VA PERMIT#9 ATLANTA (March 18,2006) -- Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon (left) and NASCAR driver Jeff Burton (right) hold the victory trophy from the Nicorette 300,Busch Series NASCAR race.Burton's victory marks the first win for team Coast Guard this season.(Photo by Lt.Col.William Thurmond,U.S.Army)

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