WASHINGTON, DC, July 16, 2024 —
Dozens of people. Four engagements. One air station.
Capt. Laura Collins, U.S. Coast Guard, retired, the Service’s Enterprise Victim Advocate (EVA), traveled to Air Station Miami to connect with stakeholders to hear a wide range of viewpoints. Her role is to advance efforts to address sexual assault and sexual harassment issues within the workforce, and ensure the Service supports victims of harmful behaviors.
From military leadership to active duty to civilian staff, everyone was eager to hear about the Enterprise Victim Advocate office. Notable themes that developed out of these sessions included understanding the position’s day-to-day responsibilities and improving communication about initiatives.
Individuals from across the air station listened intently as Capt. Collins spoke about the EVA position and how it aligned with the Commandant’s Strengthening Service Culture initiative. Attendees came prepared with ideas to improve procedures. For example, they identified opportunities to reinforce behaviors expected from early career recruits through the senior staff level. Personnel had clear asks of the EVA to increase communication to those in the field, and more information about enterprise and local resources.
HSC Paul A Cavalier, IDHS, Clinic Supervisor after attending the session, “...with the state of the Coast Guard right now, I firmly believe that Captain Collins is the perfect candidate for this position and the work that she is doing and will do in the future will benefit the Coast Guard for years to come. Her passion and dedication to the people of the Coast Guard stood out the most for me during the training.”
A prominent theme from the nearly 100 individuals from the Civil Engineering Unit and other organizations, was how the Coast Guard is supporting survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Top of mind were news stories and the Service’s steps to move forward. In response to questions, Capt. Collins offered guidance on creating safe spaces for difficult conversations. Cmdr. Clay McKinney, Commanding Officer, Civil Engineering Unit Miami shared, “It was a great opportunity to learn directly from the Coast Guard’s Enterprise Victim Advocate about the steps our Service is taking to ensure the well-being and recovery for those who experience trauma.”
Leaders are responsible for setting the direction of an organization. As such, they have unique challenges and needs. Members from two leadership groups, including the Miami Leadership Diversity and Advisory Council, shared perspectives on supporting their teams and rebuilding trust in the Coast Guard. While they appreciated the importance of the Coast Guard addressing situations externally, they would like more transparency on how concerns are handled internally.
Capt. Eric Smith said, “I greatly appreciate Capt. Collins’ visit to Air Station Miami and providing a candid conversation about her role as the Enterprise Victim Advocate and the steps the Coast Guard is taking to strengthen our service culture. She brings a wealth of experience to her new position along with a clearly demonstrated compassion, commitment and advocacy for the men and women of the service....as the Coast Guard works to regain the trust, confidence and credibility amongst internal and external stakeholders.”
The Miami visit provided a valuable glimpse into the workforce’s perceptions and is the first of many stops planned to engage Service members. Regardless of rank or job duty, people cared about the same thing: how the Coast Guard is fostering a safe work environment, and how personnel can play a role in those efforts.