Watchwords - There are many things we learn in the Auxiliary. Everything from military tradition and etiquette to the navigation rules, the list is endless. One of those things is that, every leader has his or her own Watchwords.
Usually, three words sum up the leader’s view of the Auxiliary. At some point in my career, I think it was when I became District Chief of Staff, I realized that I had to come up with my own watchwords. Think about it, it is not easy.
No one tells you how to do it, you are just supposed to come up with three words. At first, I looked at the watchwords used by other leaders and my initial impression was that all the good ones were taken. Now anyone who knows me understands that asking me to sum up my position on anything in just three words is just downright cruel. Let’s be serious, I am a lawyer by training and saying anything in just three words goes against every thing I have ever learned. All kidding aside, I gave it a lot of thought and came up with three words. Hard to believe I know, but I think they sum up what I feel about the Auxiliary.
SHARE CHALLENGE SERVE
SHARE
That is what we do as volunteers. We SHARE our time, talents, skills, expertise our ideas, vision and energy. We are there for each other and for the Coast Guard. Together we are so much more powerful and effective than we are alone. When we work together, when we SHARE, there are no limits to what we can accomplish.
CHALLENGE
One of the many things that I love about the Auxiliary is the neverending CHALLENGE. There is always a new one, as soon as it starts to get old, there is a new challenge to meet and overcome.
We must CHALLENGE ourselves to improve and be better Auxiliarist. We must CHALLENGE each other to be more productive, efficient and effective. When we SHARE those CHALLENGES together we will…
SERVE
This is why we are here. We all joined for different reasons, but the one thing that all of us who stayed SHARE is the desire to SERVE. To SERVE the Coast Guard, our Country, our Community and the Auxiliary.
These are the words, along with our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty, that I think of when I get tired, frustrated or when it starts to get old. I remember that I am part of the greatest organization in the world and that together, following these words and holding true to our core values we are capable of and do great things.
Semper Paratus,
Alex Malewski
Commodore Alex Malewski
District Commodore, First District Southern Region
District Commodore's Message
4 OVER THE BOW - Spring 2015