My path to the Coast Guard started when I worked as a sea-kayak-ing guide and as a commercial fisherman in Half Moon Bay, California. I had friends who experienced emergencies at sea, and hearing their stories of being saved by the Coast Guard is why I enlisted. Assisting those in need is why I put on my uniform each day and am proud to serve.
I have come to realize, however, that my pride is not solely in our missions, but also in the people with whom I have the privilege to serve. The Coast Guard is full of men and women with the acumen to make the service better. Organizations such as the Naval Institute can help lay the groundwork for these changes.
I first learned about the Naval Institute while reading about the winners of the 2019 Coast Guard Essay Contest. As a junior enlisted, opportunities for your ideas to find a national platform are rare. This is what prompted me to join the Institute. In Proceedings, writers can share ideas, and readers can continue to learn. For as long as I am a service member (and probably long after), I will be a member of the Institute and a lifelong learner.
Proceedings is full of thought-provoking content; however, I believe the essay contests are the most important. Judged in the blind, they put all participants on an even playing field. It does not matter if you are a seaman or an admiral, what counts is your idea and your ability to communicate it. The belief that, regardless of rank, you have the ability to make change is not widespread. The Naval Institute provides all of us the same platform and the same opportunities. To me, this is where the Institute really excels. Empowering people empowers our service.
I kept my eyes open for the announcement of the 2020 Coast Guard Essay Contest, ready to take a no-holds-barred shot on goal. To be honest, my first thought was, “Hey, there’s some money on the line!” I enjoy writing but had never thought to do so competitively. I struggled at first to come up with an idea, but once I did, I was lucky to have my coworkers at the Sector San Francisco Command Center help with editing. I was proud of my work but still didn’t think it would amount to anything meaningful.
It wasn’t until I saw my essay in a physical issue of Proceedings that I realized the impact of committing my thoughts in writing and sharing them. The fact that, as a third-class petty officer, my idea was published nationally has empowered me to know that every person can make an impact. Writing the essay was an opportunity to continue to grow professionally, and its impact showed me that being a lifelong learner is how I can do my part to improve my service.
The Naval Institute is more than just a platform, though; it is a community of people who strive to make improvements—to be the best individuals, leaders, units, and services. To catalyze that is the value of the Institute. If I were to make a suggestion, it would be for the Institute to host more online events to enable greater participation. Town halls and panels—in coordination with other associations such as the National Naval Officers Association, the Association of Naval Services Officers, or the Sea Services Leadership Association—would build a larger community. Coordination with the U.S. Naval Community College could begin a dialogue for students to realize that what they study matters. Offering the space for members to interact and have discussions on the topics most vital to our services will drive change. As engaging as Proceedings can be, bringing in new members to the Institute should be a priority, and offering events is a way to do so.
One thing is certain: I will continue to support the Naval Institute—both as a member and as a benefactor—because I know that it supports us. The Institute continues to dare us to think and provides those thinkers with a platform. I am inspired by what I read in Proceedings and by knowing that we have critical thinkers across our ranks. I will be looking forward to the next issue—with each one I find myself learning a new perspective. If I could end on one message, it would be to use the resources available to us all to make your voice heard, because sometimes words do speak louder than actions.
