CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF

THE AUXILIARY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
(GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF A SECOND)

TO

COMMODORE GENE M. SEIBERT

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Commodore SEIBERT is cited for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a position of great responsibility as National Commodore from November 2004 to September 2006. Exercising exceptional vision and exemplary leadership prowess, Commodore SEIBERT guided the Auxiliary to remarkable success and dedicated support of Coast Guard missions despite daunting challenges. With superlative business acumen and organizational skill, he crafted an unprecedented Auxiliary Business Plan that enabled the Auxiliary to overcome considerable adversity which raised readiness and capabilities by clearly defining three fundamental Auxiliary watch-words, Ready – Responsive – Resolute. Commodore SEIBERT’s unwavering determination and confidence were essential to stemming the substantial loss of membership induced by the establishment of background checks for all Auxiliarists in 2004. In spite of a declining membership, he led the Auxiliary to deliver more than 420,000 hours of annual operational effort, over 4.2 million hours of total annual Coast Guard mission activity, and a stellar performance in support of Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency response in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, Commodore SEIBERT thoughtfully established Operation Life Ring which yielded over $125,000 in direct contributions to Coast Guard families devastated by these storms. A consummate professional and team player, he was selected by the Commandant as the first Auxiliary member of the Coast Guard Leadership Council. His steadfast vision and tireless advocacy inspired the Auxiliary to explore and establish revolutionary new fields of Coast Guard support including development of the Auxiliary dive program, Regional Examination Center assistance, and the Self-contained Mobile Auxiliary Response Team (SMART) concept. Commodore SEIBERT’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

SUMMARY OF ACTION
FOR AWARD OF
THE AUXILIARY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
TO COMMODORE GENE M. SEIBERT
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

1. Commodore Seibert served the U.S. Coast Guard and the nation with distinction as National Commodore of the Coast Guard Auxiliary from November 2004 to September 2006.
2. During this period, the Auxiliary experienced a significant loss of membership (approx 4,000) members due to first-year implementation of background check requirements for all Auxiliarists in 2004.  This reduced Auxiliary membership to about 30,500.  Faced with the prospects of additional major losses during the next two years of the three-year phase-in period, and committed to ensuring the Auxiliary was able to bridge the gaps as the Coast Guard continued to establish new units and take on its burgeoning maritime homeland security responsibilities, Commodore Seibert focused Auxiliary leadership on recruiting and retention efforts.  As a result of his superb vision and motivation, further Auxiliary membership loss was stemmed.
3. Despite the preliminary loss of membership, including the loss of many qualified operational Auxiliarists and their boats, air planes, and radios, Commodore Seibert led the Auxiliary to sustain an overall annual optempo of more than 420,000 hours of direct operational support of Coast Guard missions as well as more than 4.2 million hours of total support to Coast Guard units.
4. Exercising remarkable stewardship and insight, Commodore Seibert provided extraordinary direction and management of Coast Guard resources that enabled the Auxiliary to achieve these performance goals despite an overall reduction in programmatic funding (Auxiliary budget model funding decreased approximately $200 thousand, Auxiliary fuel model funding decreased approximately $100 thousand,  and G-PCX funding decreased approximately $100 thousand).
5. Uniquely qualified and a consummate team player, Commodore Seibert was selected by the Commandant to join the Coast Guard’s three-star Admirals, Senior Executive Service representative, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard as the first Auxiliary member of the Coast Guard Leadership Council
6. With unparalleled business acumen and organizational skills, Commodore Seibert crafted a comprehensive Business Plan to provide the strategic blueprint for the Auxiliary through 2007.  This plan described the key strategic imperatives, identified missions and directions, and charted critical waypoints for the Auxiliary to attain success.  It served as a model for Coast Guard and Auxiliary leaders to follow in their articulation of organizational purpose, spirit, and performance.
7. Fully embracing a philosophy of achievement characterized by his three watch-words, Ready – Responsive – Resolute, Commodore Seibert supplied the driving inspirational force behind the Auxiliary’s: enthusiastic adoption of Incident Command System training (over one-third of the entire Auxiliary has completed basic ICS training); establishment of comprehensive certification processes for Auxiliary State Liaison Offices, Auxiliary instructors, and Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitors, and Auxiliary elected officers; and enthusiastic development of new initiatives like the Auxiliary dive program, Regional Examination Center support, and Self-contained Mobile Auxiliary Response Team (SMART).
8. Commodore Seibert ardently pursued enhancement and development of strong and progressive partnerships with other recreational boating safety organizations.  His exemplary knowledge and diplomacy were instrumental to the implementation of a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unprecedented exposure through “Soundings” magazine, and remarkable boating safety educational support with boat manufacturer,  Skier’s Choice.