Recognition!

Good evening, I'd like to start out by saying that the past few weeks have been extremely busy across the entire unit. Between preparing and participating in local deployments, high-end training schedules, and planning for upcoming missions there has been no shortage of work on our plates and as usual the men and women of MSST 91103 have been nothing short of amazing!

Ombudsman Appreciation Day - I'd like to say a special "Thank You" to Stephanie Norton as this past March 25th was Ombudsman Appreciation Day. Your efforts to the command are noted and we look forward to "re-introducing" you to the unit this weekend!

Enlisted Person of the Year (EPOY) and Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year (REPOY) - I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of PO Standiford our unit's Enlisted Person of the Year nominee and PO Hooker as the unit's Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year. Both of your efforts this past quarter and throughout your tenure at MSST 91103 have set an example for others to follow. It was an honor to attend the D11 EPOY/REPOY Dinner Ceremony in Alameda, CA with you and your families. Although we are awaiting official photos, please see a photo of PO Hooker and his wife during the pre-dinner reception. Thank you to the Golden Gate Chapter of the Chief's Mess for hosting such a tremendous and worthwhile event. Bravo Zulu!

Qualifications:

A few noteworthy qualifications include:

PO Lyons - Boarding Officer Certification

LTJG Boyle - Deployable Team Leader Qualification

PO Hart - Boat Crewman Certification

LTJG McShane - ITOC/BTOC Graduate

MSST 91103 Family Additions:

I'd like to say congratulations to PO Ogo and her spouse for the new arrival of their little boy. Ty Ogo was born 28Feb, both mom and baby are doing well. I'd also like to congratulate PO Gibson for their new addition to their family with the arrival of their new little girl Isabella. Congrats to both of your families!

Reserve Family Readiness Award Ceremony - As promised in my last blog I promised some pics from the RFRA Ceremony on 18Feb at the Pentagon. Below are two pics from the ceremony. The first pic is the Coast Guard MSST 91103 and Deployable Operations Group contingent. From left to right: LT Vera, LT Foley (DOG), LT Burkhalter, LCDR Margita, Mrs. Stephanie Norton, LT Rudolf, CDR Chambliss (DOG), and CAPT Hemann (DOG). Thank you to all that attended this noteworthy event for this national-level award!

The below pic is another taken from the RFRA Ceremony that took place in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Second from the left is Secretary Dennis McCarthy the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs who hosted the event. Also present at the far right is VADM Ryan, USN (Retired) the current President of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) who presented a gift of $1000 to MSST LA/LB!

For additional info on the ceremony please see the below link for a great article on the event:

http://ra.defense.gov/html/familyAward.html

Hollywood - I also wanted to mention that MSST 91103 (boat/boatcrew) will be featured for the first time in an upcoming episode of "The Mentalist". This was a first for our unit and the episode is to be aired on 07April on CBS. Keep your weather eye out!

Lastly, I wanted to throw out a sincere thanks to every member of MSST 91103 for their hardwork the past few weeks. As I've told many of you directly your efforts and work ethic inspire me and motivate me each day. I applaud your efforts and the results of your hard work speaks for itself! I see many more good things coming our way - keep it up!

Have a goodnight!

v/r

LCDR T. J. Margita