Coast Guard Birthday - 4 August 2018

THE COAST GUARD: AMERICA’S OLDEST MARITIME DEFENDERS

The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government. Established in 1790, the Coast Guard served as the nation's only armed force on the sea until Congress launched the Navy Department eight years later.  Since then, the Coast Guard has protected the United States throughout its long history and served proudly in every one of the nation's conflicts.

THE COAST GUARD THROUGH HISTORY

4 August 1790 – President George Washington signs the Tariff Act that authorizes the construction of ten vessels, referred to as "cutters," to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling.  The Revenue Cutter Service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.

1915 – The Revenue Cutter Service merges with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, and is officially renamed the Coast Guard, making it the only maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.

1939 – President Franklin Roosevelt orders the transfer of the Lighthouse Service to the Coast Guard, putting it in charge of maritime navigation.

1946 - Congress permanently transfers the Commerce Department's Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast Guard, putting merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety in its control.

1967 – The Coast Guard is transferred to Department of Transportation.

2003 – The Coast Guard is again transferred, this time to the Department of Homeland Security, where it currently serves.

THE COAST GUARD TODAY

The Coast Guard is both a federal law enforcement agency and a military force, and therefore is a faithful protector of the United States in peacetime and war. In times of peace, the Coast Guard operates as part of the Department of Homeland Security, enforcing the nation's laws at sea, protecting the marine environment, guarding the nation's vast coastline and ports, and performing vital life saving missions. In times of war, or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves under the Department of the Navy, defending the nation against terrorism and foreign threats.

STATISTICS

The Coast Guard is the principal Federal agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in U.S. ports and waterways. In this capacity, the Coast Guard protects and defends more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing 4.5 million square miles stretching from North of the Arctic Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to Guam, encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world. As one of the five Armed Services of the United States, the Coast Guard is the only military branch within the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to its role as an Armed Service, the Coast Guard is a first responder and humanitarian service that provides aid to people in distress or impacted by natural and man-made disasters whether at sea or ashore. The Coast Guard is a member of the Intelligence Community, and is a law enforcement and regulatory agency with broad legal authorities associated with maritime transportation, hazardous materials shipping, bridge administration, oil spill response, pilotage, and vessel construction and operation.

The over 56,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of 243 Cutters, 201 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and over 1,600 boats. Operational control of surface and air assets is vested in two Coast Guard geographical Areas (Pacific and Atlantic), nine Coast Guard Districts, and 37 Sectors located at strategic ports throughout the country. Six Mission Support Logistics and Service Centers provide services for operational assets and shore facilities. Coast Guard program oversight, policy development, and personnel administration are carried out at Coast Guard Headquarters located on the St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, DC.

ON AN AVERAGE DAY, THE COAST GUARD:

• conducts 45 search and rescue cases;
• saves 10 lives;
• saves over $1.2M in property;
• seizes 874 pounds of cocaine and 214 pounds of marijuana;
• conducts 57 waterborne patrols of critical maritime infrastructure;
• interdicts 17 illegal migrants;
• escorts 5 high-capacity passenger vessels;
• conducts 24 security boardings in and around U.S. ports;
• screens 360 merchant vessels for potential security threats prior to arrival in U.S. ports;
• conducts 14 fisheries conservation boardings;
• services 82 buoys and fixed aids to navigation;
• investigates 35 pollution incidents;
• completes 26 safety examinations on foreign vessels;
• conducts 105 marine inspections;
• investigates 14 marine casualties involving commercial vessels;
• facilitates movement of $8.7B worth of goods and commodities through the Nation’s Maritime Transportation System.

Post #91 Disaster Preparedness & Response Team

Post #91 DPRT Training

2:30 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018

St. Francis Church in Hamilton, Montana

Go through FRC procedures

Post #91 Disaster Preparedness & Response Team

Post #91 DPRT Training

11 am, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018

St. Francis Church in Hamilton, Montana

Go through FRC procedures

Firefighter Award

15 January 2019

THE AMERICAN LEGION MONTANA FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM The purpose of this document is to provide the latest information that pertains to the Montana Firefighter of the year program. This program was established during the 2004 Fall Conference by the Department of Montana American Legion Executive Committee. Originally, the deadline for submitting applications for this award was 1 March of each year; as of December 2011 the deadline for submitting applications has been changed to 15 January of each year. American Legion Posts submitting recommendations for this award should select a fireman from their community that is not only an outstanding fireman but also supports various community activities. There is no age or position requirement for this award. This award is not limited to full-time fireman and can be awarded to a volunteer fireman as well as full-time employees of the fire department. The application for Montana Firefighter of the Year should be filled out in full and signed by the Post Commander and the Post Adjutant. The Post submitting this recommendation should include a letter which explains the activities of the firefighter and other information that can be considered for this award. Examples of information that can be considered include: community projects involvement; participating in children & youth activities; assisting members of the community; helping with church and school activities. In general, any activity that is a positive reflection about the firefighter being considered for this award. Selecting winners and determining awards for this program will be determined by the Montana Department Executive Committee. Applications are to be submitted to the following address: American Legion of Montana PO Box 6075 Helena, MT 59604 The deadline for submitting applications for this award is 15 January of each year. This will allow enough time to evaluate each application and determine who will receive first place honors.


THE AMERICAN LEGION MONTANA FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Date:______________
Name:______________________________________________________ Sex: M / F Age:___________
Home Address:________________________________________________________________________ City/State______________________ Zip Code: ____________ Phone #:_____________________ Marital Status: _____________________ Spouses Name:______________________________________ Time as Firefighter: _____Yrs. ______ Mo. Agency Name:____________________________________________________________________ Agency Director:_________________________________________ Title:__________________________ Nominee’s Supervisor:________________________________ Title:__________________________ Agency Address:__________________________________________ Zip Code:_____________ Phone #:______________________________ Post Submitting Application: Post #___________ Post Firefighter of the Year Chairman:___________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________ City/State______________________ Zip Code: ____________ Phone #:_____________________ Post Submitting Nomination:__________________________________________________________ Post Law and Order Chairman:__________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________ City/State______________________ Zip Code: ____________ Phone #:_____________________ Post Commander:____________________________________________________________________ (Signature)
Post Adjutant:_________________________________________________________________________ (

Law Enforcement Award

15 January 2019

AMERICAN LEGION OF MONTANA

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR APPLICATION FORM

                                                                                                            Date _____________

Name ___________________________________________                    Sex ______________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

City & State ______________________________ Zip ____________  Phone ____________

Age _________  Marital Status _______________  Spouse’s Name _____________________

Length of Service as Law Officer ________________________________________________

Agency Name _______________________________________________________________

Agency Director _____________________________  Title ___________________________

Nominee’s Supervisor ______________________________  Title _____________________

Agency Address ____________________________________________________________

City & State _______________________________ Zip ____________ Phone _____________

Post Submitting Nomination ___________________________________________________

Post Law & Order Chairman ___________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

City & State _____________________________ Zip __________ Phone ________________

Post Commander _________________________   _________________________________

                                                (Name)                                                      (Signature)

Post Adjutant ____________________________  __________________________________

                                            (Name)                                                  (Signature)

**Application Due NO later than January 15^th to Department Headquarters**

PROGRAM GOAL

The Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion includes as one of its major objectives “….to maintain Law and Order.”  The goal of the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award is to select a well rounded Law Enforcement Officer who has exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected of his/her position and has demonstrated a distinctive patter of community service coupled with professional achievement.  Episodes of heroism will, of course, also be included where noted.  A major secondary purpose of this award is to encourage the further development of Department and Post Law and Order Committees in all Departments in recognition of enforcement officers by Post, Departments and the National Headquarters of The American Legion.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

ü  Be a citizen of the United States

ü  Be a living, active, full-time paid, sworn law enforcement officer entrusted with full authority and with powers of arrest.

ü  Reside or be assigned for duty to a City, County, District, State or Federal Law Enforcement Agency within the Department for which they are selected.

ü  Be selected as the Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and then submitted into National competition. 

ü  Federal  agents serving in overseas Departments may be nominated by that overseas Department.

ü  Department nominees are not required to be veterans or members of The American Legion.

ü  Military police officers or investigators are not eligible to participate in this competition.

ü  Nominees selected for this award should be available to receive this award at the American Legion National Convention. 

DEPARTMENT APPLICATION

Application packets should include a completed application form used as the cover page of this application.  Also included should be 12 pages of service documentation, the first 6 pages will be on sided 8/12” x 11” bond paper and include approximately four or five pages of the individual’s service narrative.  The second 6 pages may be two-sided and include press articles.  Within the service documentation, a letter from the nominee’s commanding officer or supervisor must be included.  Specific acts of community service, heroism and meritorious performance recognized by his/her law enforcement agency should also be included and documented.  Outstanding service to Community, State or Nation by the officer, in both on-duty and off-duty activities, should be explained for the past year and may include previous years.  Also include a 5” x 7” photograph of the nominee as well as a copy of your nominee’s State or Federal certification as a law enforcement officer.  Departments should submit 3 copies of the completed application to:

The American Legion

National Security – Foreign Relations Division

1608 K Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006                                                                    Due by February 1^st each year.

JUDGING AND GUIDELINES

Guidelines will be based on the following criteria and maximum percentage points will be allocated as follows:

·         Community Service ……………. 50 Points

·         Professional Career ……………. 25 Points

·         Heroism………………………………. 20 Points

·         Letters of Recognition, news clippings, etc…. 5 Points

Judges will be selected by the Chairman of the Law and Order Committee from members of this committee and the National Security Commission.  Each Judge will represent his/her Region and will select a Regional winner from Regions other than their own.  Alternate-at-large judges may also be selected at the Washington Conference.  The National winner will be selected from the Regional winners during the Spring meeting of the National Executive Committee. 

Employer Awards

1 January 2019

Employer awards are due to the Department of Montana

Here is a listing and links of these awards:

1) THE EMPLOYER OF OLDER WORKERS AWARD

http://mtlegion.org/images/THE_EMPLOYER_OF_OLDER_WORKERS_AWARD.pdf

2) THE EMPLOYER OF VETERANS AWARD

http://mtlegion.org/images/THE_EMPLOYER_OF_VETERANS_AWARD.pdf

3) THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AWARDS

http://mtlegion.org/images/THE_EMPLOYMENT_SERVICE_AWARDS.pdf

4) THE VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION COMMISSION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AWARDS

http://mtlegion.org/images/THE_VETERANS_EMPLOYMENT_AND_EDUCATION_COMMISSION.pdf

Online Update July

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