To the Men and Women of the Coast Guard,
It is my great honor and privilege to serve you and the American people as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. We are an organization with a rich history of service to our nation. Coast Guard men and women have made remarkable contributions to the safety, security and economic well-being of America. Our heroes have served in war and in peace and their legacy is a constant challenge to us today as we extend proud Coast Guard traditions into the future.
A change of command, even at the Commandant level, is as much about continuity as it is about change. The Coast Guard has undergone significant change over the past few years. We all welcome the leadership challenge that comes with such times. However, we must also recognize the need to preserve the things that represent stability — constants like our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. Together with our enduring characteristics as a military, maritime, multi-mission service, they define the discipline, the adaptability and the skills we need to accomplish the difficult things America demands of us.
I am proud to have been selected as the 21st Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, the Commandant who will lead you into the 21st century. You will find the phrase Preparation Equals Performance throughout this brochure. Preparation Equals Performance is the slogan I have lived by for the past 13 years. It was born as a bond among the crew of MIDGETT at refresher training in 1985. It has consistently focused my attention to tasks at hand. Its simplicity is its greatest strength. I want you each to internalize this simple credo — to prepare well so you perform well at whatever the Coast Guard asks you to do. I look forward to meeting you on the messdeck and in the wardroom, on the flight line and in the conference rooms. Our future as a nation and as a service is bright. Much of that future is laid out in this document. Please read it carefully as we begin our time on watch together.
[Commandant's Corner] [Direction index]
[USCG Home Page]
MLapinski#comdt.uscg.mil
Created: June 1998