May 1, 2020: Six weeks into the pandemic and we’re still discovering how lock downs affect everyday life. It seemed that society was in such disarray, dealing with covid unrest while trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy, it was becoming numb and fatigued. Many thought the curve would have been flattened at this point. But the future is unpredictable.
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.
May 1, 2020: May Day, May Day, May Day
May Day, May Day, May Day,
No, seriously, literally. It is May Day; the first day in May. In a seemingly subtle nod to the impact of an epidemic the City of Portland is not protesting. For a city that doesn’t ever seem to turn down the opportunity for a good protest, not having one on May Day is awfully close to sacrilegious. I was expecting a protest against the epidemic at a minimum. I mean, we can all agree to protest an epidemic, right? Portland reminds me of that relative we all have; you know, the one everyone talks about at the family reunion in hushed voices. You’ve probably never met them, but the family folklore keeps them alive in memory. The relative who would win the lottery only to find themselves bankrupt and worse off 3 years later because they had only won the $3M lottery and what they really needed was the $5M jackpot.
Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan …
Much to my daughter’s dismay she is my covid barber. She gave me my first covid cut a couple of weeks ago. Apparently #covidcut is a thing, which I didn’t know, but being a 20 year old she did and was terrified I’d end up bald. So, like any good History major with an English minor in her second year of studies, she turned to the internet to get educated up before her practical exam. She watched a few minutes of YouTube videos and then begrudgingly agreed to cut my hair. She did make me sign a consent form and release of liability waiver. When she thought she was done (I did ask for a little more from around the ears for which she needed to use the scissors, and that scared both of us) she asked what every barber asks, “So, what do you think?” I have always found this to be a loaded question. What am I going to say, to my daughter barber’s first attempt or a professional’s $25 cut, “Gee, I was expecting something a little more spectacular.” Of course I told her she did a great job. I’m in this for the long game so need to bolster the confidence after her inaugural cut. To be honest, I have paid for worse. She gave me my second covid cut last night. When I thought she was done she asked, “Dad, do you want me to get more from the sides?” Nah, I think we’re good there and she responded, “Well, you won’t need to wear a uniform for people to know you’re a pilot because your head has hair wings.” So yeah, she got after the sides a little more. As she is trimming more she delivers the kidney punch, “Dad, your grey is really coming in nicely.” Thanks, kiddo.
Securite, Securite, Securite …
Covid-19? Having weigh-ins cancelled for April quickly led to the covid-5. I don’t know about you all, but I’m finding myself building a plan to get it back to covid-0 before everyday living turns it into the covid-30. I don’t think the Coast Guard will cancel the October weigh-ins and I don’t need that kind of stress. My daughter forces the 15 year old to do living room yoga or body weight training during the day. She tried to get both her brothers to go for a walk with her but they said they didn’t have that much motivation. Her reply- I’ll air fry you some Oreos and, just like that, they found their motivation. I never imagined wrapping a double stuffed Oreo cookie in a croissant pastry, and then placing it in the air fryer, could taste so good. I told my daughter they can’t air fry Oreos after 1400, and they all have to be eaten before I get home. This week we ate an entire Party Size package of double-stuffed Oreos (that is one step above Family and two above regular) and 4 full-sized Pillsbury croissant roll tubes. Yeah, I am keeping to my exercise schedule but having a Betty Crocker wanna-be in the house lends itself to sloppy eating. And, because for them every night is Friday night, they have taken to every night is movie night. I like to treat myself to some chips and dip during a movie and doing that every night vice just Friday night isn’t helping with the covid-5 reduction plan. With May the Fourth and The Revenge of the Fifth next week they are planning their Star Wars movie viewing schedule. It took a little bit of debate but we did settle on the appropriate order and it is: 4, 2, 5, Solo, Rogue One, 6, and 3. No, we didn’t forget any; they’re all accounted for in the line-up. Convince me otherwise.
with admiration, gratitude, optimism, and slightly more grey hair,
your Sector Commander
PS And don’t forget to call your Mom!