April 10, 2020: A few weeks into the pandemic and we were just learning how disruptive this event was going to be. And, unlike the many hurricanes we have weathered, there didn’t seem to be a known end in sight. As the shelves of toilet paper, bottled water, and other staples sat empty, it became readily apparent our lives were going to be impacted in ways yet unforeseen. How does a leader balance the need to prepare for scarcity without being alarmist?
Being in command is the most challenging and rewarding tour of a military career. My last US Coast Guard tour was as both Commander, Sector Columbia River and Commanding Officer, Air Station Astoria. I was in command from June 2018 to August 2021 and it was during this tour that the Covid-19 pandemic struck. As we all know it changed our lives in the most fundamental of ways.
While many companies were able to adopt a remote work strategy, the Armed Forces were required to continue to provide in-person response services while moving non-mission critical activities to a remote environment. While we continued to operate in siloed teams, the unit could no longer meet all together, in person. I recognized I would need to find another way to connect with my over 500 unit members.
I would need to find a new way to communicate. Leading without meeting, establishing a connection and creating a common bond with each of the over 500 members, was my new challenge. How was I going to lead without being able to meet in person? I took to the written word to not only communicate professional updates but also to connect with members on a personal level.
These thoughts were on my mind when I wrote the following to my unit.
April, 10 2020: Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!
Or eyes, in this case, but I think we can all agree on the intent. Stay at Home orders are oddities with many second and third order effects. For example, my daughter has decided baking will help her remain sane. It isn’t working, for her, her brothers, or me. I’m not a baker so I had very limited quantities of flour on hand. She quickly used the 2 cups and started rummaging in the cupboards. She found Miso soup mix, that expired in 2009 (so, when does that mean I purchased it?). She found almonds from 2012 and sunflower seeds from 2014. She eventually stopped asking ‘why, Dad? WHY!??!’ and just threw things away. She eventually found almond flour. Like I said, I’m not a baker and have no idea why there is almond and coconut flour in my cupboard. The cookies were dense, flat, and delicious. But they caused an awful stomach ache so I started looking for regular flour. That was 2 weeks ago and none was to be found. I did find 40 pound bags at Costco but refused to purchase such an obscene quantity. She isn’t opening her own bakery just making some cookies. I did eventually find some and her cookie skills are getting better, with fewer second order effects.
As I expanded my flour search it got me to thinking- what other items might become scare? My son needed a computer for college and I noticed the inventory was thin. My daughter needed more pants (she lives on the Gulf Coast and hasn’t been warm since she arrived in Astoria) and those were limited, too. Makes sense, as the Asian markets closed (which is where we get many of our goods) the inventory dried up. What else may become scarce? Are we prepared for a Cascadia earthquake?
I’m not a prepper. In fact, I’m their worst nightmare with 3 days of food on hand. I’m not advocating for hoarding. No need to make a run on toilet paper and ammo. But I did buy some extra canned goods. I’m set to make tuna noodle casserole for weeks. I also took this opportunity to rationalize upgrading my camping supplies with a better water filtration system. To wash down all that casserole. Are you and your families positioned to weather the next storm?
There are other second and third order effects, too. For example, my youngest shared an article with me about how the reduced traffic has made the earth quieter. Seismologists are getting more tectonic data than ever. And in northern India, for the first time in 30 years, the Himalayas are visible 100 miles distant. They’re reading ‘good’ air quality day after day when a year ago they may have had 1 or 2 a month.
For my family, it has meant cleaner cupboards, chocolate chip cookies, and family time. Although that last one has consequences. My burgeoning Betty Crocker has declared ‘no more bored games’ and no, that wasn’t misspelled. She saw on TikTok where a family presented each other’s PowerPoints. I’m not sure how that is fun but she is very excited to try it out this weekend.
I’m not a religious person, but I do consider myself spiritual and want to recognize the importance of this month for the religious and spiritual among us. The weather is forecast to be gorgeous for the next week. I encourage everyone to take time to relax, reconnect, and recharge. Stay at Home orders are oddities with many second and third order effects. Not all are bad. I encourage you to find the good in our current circumstances and lift each other up.
With admiration, gratitude, and optimism,
Your Sector Commander
PS Call your Mom!