Happy New Year!

Photo by: Petty Officer Conroy, PADET, San Diego

We had much to celebrate on 01 January 2010! We were honored to have Vice Admiral Breckenridge, Commander Pacific Area, visit us on 29 Dec 09. In conjunction with her visit, we conducted a ceremony for our members who were selected for the Coast Guard's newest rating, the Maritime Enforcement (ME) specialist. The establishment of this new enlisted rating will support and enhance the Coast Guard's law enforcement and security missions. The ME rating will also integrate the Port Security Specialist rating, and allow for the disestablishment of the Reserve-only rating. The ME rating officially took effect on 01 January 2010. Congratulations to all of our members who were selected to become founding members of this new rating!

Chief Carr, Chief Conroy, Chief Putnam, PO Boyle, PO Bush, PO Chase, PO Domingcil, PO Dominguez, PO Gregorczyk, PO Hooker, PO Johnson, PO Leland, PO Rodriguez, PO Schott, PO Acosta, PO Angcaya, PO Antis, PO Hammon, PO Hart, PO Houghton, PO Hyzak, PO Lindner-Maldonado, PO Makins, PO Narvaez, PO O'Connor, PO Richards, PO Rodau, PO Torres, PO Willey, PO Bousman, PO Hartung, PO Hutton, PO Latess, PO Lyons, PO Oh, PO Sparhawk, PO Tuengel, PO J. White, PO Olvera, and PO Velasquez.



01 January was also a very special day for 5 of our members who not only became ME's but were also advanced to Second Class Petty Officer. Congratulations to PO Acosta, PO Hammon, PO Makins, PO Richards and PO Willey!