Performance, proficiency, leadership
A virtuoso coxswain and the Cdr. Ray Evans Trophy
Story and photo by Petty Officer Brandon Blackwell
Behind thin, black-rimmed glasses are the eyes of a focused and determined man. His squared jaw, tall frame and tattooed arms are intimidating-- until he introduces himself and proves that nice guys can finish first.
This year's recipient of the Cmdr. Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy, Petty Officer 2nd Class John Anderson, Operations Officer for Coast Guard Station St. Clair Shores, Mich., is a man with many responsibilities, but he is cool, calm and collected with a work ethic and positive attitude that add up to excellence.
Anderson's Coast Guard Story began in Cape May, N.J., where he completed Coast Guard basic training in February 2006. He attended Boatswain's Mate (BM) "A" School in Yorktown, Va., after graduation, where he was taught seamanship skills: everything from knot-tying and navigation to emergency procedure and leadership. Anderson graduated second in his "A" School class during April 2006. This earned him the chance to decide where his first duty station would be.
"I did a lot of homework on where I could go, what the options are," said Anderson. Having seen how multi-mission oriented Station St. Clair Shores is, the fact that they go through so many different seasons, deal with the international border and deal with a substantial amount of law enforcement and search-and-rescue spoke to Anderson.
"I knew it was the right choice for me", he explained. This decision gave way for Anderson to become a member of the Coast Guard's most versatile workforce in one of its most diverse district-the Ninth Coast Guard District, responsible for the Great Lakes region.
What makes the Ninth District so unique is its water's varied conditions. It's one of the only districts in the Coast Guard that conducts missions on ice. Whether the waters on the Great Lakes are rolling violently or are frozen-over, the Ninth District demands a master of seamanship.
That master of seamanship is the Coast Guard boatswains mate. They have the knowledge and skill necessary to navigate bodies of water, provide deck maintenance, supply leadership and take the helm as a certified coxswain. Anderson does all of this and more. That is in part why he was nominated for the Cmdr. Evans Trophy.
"Because of his outgoing nature and his willingness to train and help out, he's also a sponsor to a good many people that come to the station," said Chief Scott Cichoracki, Executive Petty Officer of Station St. Clair Shores (and the person who nominated Anderson). "We like to have him as a sponsor because he is easy to talk to and engaging."
Between mentoring newcomers, training his crew and managing operations, rests the meat of Anderson's job-taking the helm as a coxswain. And it's not just one helm he takes, it's three. Anderson is a certified coxswain on three different Coast Guard vessels: a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft - Law Enforcement vessel (SPC)-LE, a 25-foot Response Boat - Small (RB-S), and a 20-foot Air Ranger, used primarily for ice rescue. This means that, while at the helm, Anderson conducts law enforcement, search and rescue, ice rescue, migrant interdiction, and marine safety and counter drug operations. And he does them with virtuoso skill. With so much on his plate, Anderson manages to constantly better himself. From the time he arrived at Station St. Clair Shores, approximately more than three years ago, he has advanced from Seaman/Boatswains Mate to a Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer.
"He's advanced rapidly," said Cichoracki. "He's a quick learner. He's very smart. He always volunteers. We always get rave reviews."
These qualities fit nicely into the qualification requirements for the Cmdr. Evans Trophy: leadership, proficiency and performance of duty. The intent of the Cmdr. Evans Trophy is to recognize exemplary coxswains. Only those coxswains who demonstrate sustained superior performance, proficiencies and leadership should be nominated. They must reflect the Coast Guard Core Values of honor, respect and devotion to duty and be a role model whom his or her crew-members strive to emulate according to the Coast Guard's Commandant Instruction. Anderson takes satisfaction in his work, more so than receiving honors.
"I pride myself, first and foremost, on the fact that I'm a Coastie," said Anderson. "I don't see it as I'm just attached to this unit. I work at this unit, but I am a Coastie. I work for the Coast Guard and I'm happy to go and do whatever I can with any unit that I can."
Through mentoring his fellow crew members, expertly conducting multiple missions at the helm and working to better himself, his unit and the entire Coast Guard, Anderson is a living example of putting service before self. It's led to him to being awarded the Cdr. Evans Trophy, one of many honors a guy like him is likely to earn while serving in the Coast Guard.
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