NAVEX 1st Quarter 2017 Edition First Edition | Page 6

N-Train Observations
Continued from page 5
Admiral Throop stated, “Tom, I wanted to recognize
you for the tremendous job you do in Boating Safety
and for everything you are doing to connect our
Coast Guard Auxiliary to our Coast Guard missions.”
Admiral Throop extended his right hand to Captain
Boross as he was saying, “please accept my coin
of excellence,” there was a lengthy, well-deserved
standing ovation from all in attendance. After
humbly accepting Admiral Throop’s challenge coin,
Captain Boross resumed his introduction of Captain
Scott Johnson.
Captain Scott Johnson addressed the audience and
thanked everybody for their hospitality. He stated that
in preparation for N-Train he reviewed the Auxiliary
strategic plan and he believes that it is a good plan.
While attending some of the earlier sessions at
N-Train, he overheard opinionated discussions about
the strategic plan. He referenced President Dwight D.
Eisenhower’s thoughts on planning. “In preparation
for battle, I have always found that plans are useless
but the planning process is indispensable.” He further
stated that there were many watchwords in the plan
but there were especially two words buried in the
plan that really struck him. Those two words were
Servant Leadership. He explained that those two
words, Servant Leadership, are permanently affixed
to his desk and they are there to remind him that it
is not about him but about others. He stated - “I
am here to serve you the Auxiliary, you the national
bridge, and I am here to serve the great men and
women throughout the Coast Guard Auxiliary.” In
closing, Captain Johnson thanked Captain Boross for
setting the course to follow and he invited members
of the Auxiliary to continue introducing themselves to
him and informing him of their roles in the Auxiliary
as it is valued information that will assist him in the
transition into his new position.
Captain Boross returned to the lectern and stated,
“Henry Ford once said, ‘you cannot build a reputation
on what you are going to do.’” He complemented
Commodores Mallison, Simoni, and Washburn for an
excellent job and further stated that serving with them
and the Coast Guard Auxiliary was the highest honor
of his 28-year Coast Guard career. He continued to
thank many of the national bridge and staff members
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that he served with over the past four years even
stating that their consistency in mission focus, their
unassailable integrity and purposeful dignity was
awesome to witness. As a final statement, he said, “I
thank you all for your contributions and I am prodding
you all that until we can spend a year without losing
anybody on those waters subject to the jurisdiction
of the U.S. Coast Guard, there is absolute necessity
for the Coast Guard to continue to fund and support
your activities.”
Captain Boross then requested the audio-visual team
to cue the music. The song, Wetsuit, by the group
The Vaccines filled the room. As a final gesture of
servant leadership, and for the next three minutes
and fifty-four seconds, Captain Boross systematically
worked his way throughout the entire room shaking
the hands of all in attendance. He stated that the
lyrics to the song are a message to his successor and
to the entire Auxiliary to help his successor. Upon
completion of the song, there was an extended
standing ovation in appreciation of Captain Boross
and his servant leadership. Commodore Washburn
then officially adjourned the meeting of the national
board.
N-TRAIN Leadership
Interview with Commodore Fred Gates,
Deputy National Commodore – Pacific Area
& Mission Support (DNACO–MS)
NAVEX: What was the focus for the Auxiliary at
N-TRAIN this year?
COMO Gates: The focus at this year’s N-TRAIN
was leadership training. District Captains were
all new this cycle and for the first time, all but
two, who had to work, attended NTRAIN 2017.
Their week began for them with the AUX-05
C-School (AMLOC) Saturday, Jan. 22 through
Tuesday, Jan. 24. They then joined with their
District Chiefs of Staff (DCOS) and District