North Carolina Newspapers Silent on John Vick Trial

The Daily Advance is one of several newspapers out of Elizabeth City North Carolina  that missed the story on Edenton, NC concert promoter John Vick. Virginia media didn’t miss the story:

• Danville concert promoter turns himself in
• City of Danville Police
• Concert Promoter Wanted For Fraud Turns Himself In
• Man Wanted In NC And VA For $85,000 In Bad Checks

Vick turned himself in on two warrants charging him with obtaining money under false pretenses in Danville, VA.  Vick’s company Radio Media Productions out of Edenton, NC was the promoter of the very successful Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in Elizabeth City, NC.  Following the concert in Elizabeth City, more than one entity was left waiting for payment.  Chief among them, the United States Coast Guard who hosted the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert  in September 2008.

After months of waiting, Coast Guard MWR received a check for $39,000.00 from Vick, which was returned for insufficient funds.  Soon after an Outer Banks tour bus company who provided transportation for the concert was also looking for payment.  Other vendors voiced  concerns, then to the surprise of many vendors came contact by FBI.

This story is far from over.  Mr. Vick has been charged but not convicted.  He goes to trial in Virginia on the 13th of November.  Until then he is presumed innocent.

More to follow on this developing story.

Can Coast Guard Auxilliarist – Any Requirements to Represent the U.S. Coast Guard?

The Nick Khamhou Dethoudom Chaleunphone story we have been following has led to some new questions by our readers.  The question is what qualifies a member of the public to become a member of the Coast Guard Auxillary?  We have the answer, but does Coasat Guard have the answer?

United States Code TITLE 14 > PART II > CHAPTER 23 > § 823 says

The Auxiliary shall be composed of citizens of the United States and its territories and possessions, who are owners, sole or part, of motorboats, yachts, aircraft, or radio stations or who by reason of their special training or experience are deemed by the Commandant to be qualified for duty in the Auxiliary, and who may be enrolled therein pursuant to applicable regulations.

Is Coast Guard Acquisition on Target for Success

Coast Guards much  besieged Major Acquisition program has been under the eye of congress, and now a multi-million dollar law suit.  Has Coast Guard positioned itself for success?  The latest addition to the CG-9 Acquisition leadership is Rear Admiral John Korn.  His on-line biography indicates that he does not have a background in Acquisition.  Is Coast Guard setting the right course, or should more emphasis be placed on bringing in SES acquisition talent.

Rear Admiral John H. Korn assumed duties as the Coast Guard Program Executive Officer (PEO) and Director of Acquisition Programs on June 16, 2009. His duties as PEO include management oversight of all Coast Guard acquisition programs and projects, which provide for the sustainment, modernization, and recapitalization of surface, air, command and control, and logistics assets for the Coast Guard’s multiple maritime missions.

FBI Investigation Continues Into Fort Hood Shooting

The FBI continues to work closely with the Department of the Army in the joint, ongoing investigation into the tragic events that occurred last Thursday at Fort Hood. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.

With respect to the investigation—the Army Criminal Investigative Division is leading a coordinated criminal investigation with the support of the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice and the Texas Rangers. The investigation is in its early stages and the information we can provide now is limited.

Communication and Cooperation are no Substitute for Command and Control – The Civilianization of the U.S. Coast Guard

The Field Mission Support Delivery Integration Team (iTeam) being led by CAPT Timothy Heitsch the Logistics Directorate (CG-44), are meeting New Orleans today.  The iTeam (you have to love the names they keep coming up with), is working with 5 other teams on how to make a modernized Coast Guard work, and move to the next level.

Admiral Thad Allen currently has dozens upon dozens of employees and contractors devoted to making modernization work.  The coast in terms of active duty, civilians and contractors is in the millions of dollars.  The costs continue to rise at a time President Obama is asking American’s to tighten up their belts.  Allen’s rush to modernization has left his Coast Guard fractured and adrift.  The split up of the former Integrated Support Commands (ISC) created 14 Base Support Units with Commanding Officers but without Executive Officers.  Allen created new spin-off commands such as Personnel Services Support Units that operate without Executive Officers, but have a span of control equal to that of an Officer in Charge.

One PSSU Commanding Officer has created his own command hierarchy outside of what was presented, briefed and negotiated with the Unions.

Jeff Orner suggested at the first meeting of the iTeam last month that they needed better “communications and cooperation,” at the field level to make this work.  At the end of the day “Communication and Cooperation are no substitute for Command and Control.”

Modernization 2.0: Evolving Mission Support

Guest Post by Coast Guard Chief of Staff, VADM John Currier.

Coast Guard Mission Support has undergone substantial changes in the past year, but our work is not yet complete. I refer to our current mission support structure, which was just implemented in the field on 27 September 2009, as Modernization Version 1.0. Effort focused primarily on establishing five Service and Logistics Centers and the Asset Project Office (APO) to support the Coast Guard Logistics Business Model. The recent changes were a realignment of our organization intended to prepare the field to receive support through product lines. The command and control design for local delivery of that support has not been adequately developed, so I have commissioned an analysis, which when complete, will lead to a defined construct for service delivery to the field level.