Mrs. Allen-Yearout was a driving force in establishing the Coast Guard Ombudsman Program and symbolizes voluntary commitment to the Coast Guard mission by supporting our members and their families. This award honors Wanda Allen-Yearout for her service to the Coast Guard.
The Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year (OOY) Award Program annually recognizes a unit ombudsman that has demonstrated the greatest commitment serving as a Coast Guard Ombudsman.
ALCOAST 488/25 - DEC 2025 SOLICITATION FOR THE 2025 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Have served as an ombudsman for at least one year at the nominating command by 31 December 2025. Their service must have started on or before 31 December 2024.
2. Be registered and assigned in the Coast Guard Ombudsman Registry.
3. Have successfully completed in person or virtual Coast Guard Ombudsman Training (CGOT).
4. Completed Information Technology Security Awareness and Protecting Personal Information trainings.
5. Be compliant with monthly worksheets in accordance with COMDTINST 1750.4F.
Please Note: Nominations must be in compliance with COMDTINST 1750.4F to qualify for consideration. Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinators will assist commands with screening nominations for award eligibility and ombudsman program compliance.
Ombudsman of the Year Sample Documents:
- District Commander’s endorsement that all eligibility requirements and selection criteria have been met, (sample)
- The nomination, in standard memorandum format, using 12-pitch Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins, not to exceed two pages, (sample) – OOY sample memo document
- Biographical information, to include information about the spouse and family (sample)
- A draft citation. (sample)
Selection Criteria:
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Strengthened connection between the families and command.
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Served as a reliable source of preparation, assistance, and support to Coast Guard families during times of local or national emergency, mobilization, deployment, evacuation, and crisis.
- Assisted in identifying unit family support needs and provided appropriate information regarding referral services.
- Promoted a healthy sense of community for the families and command.
- Exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
- Provided noteworthy special acts, projects, or accomplishments in support of their families, unit, and the Coast Guard.
Nomination Process
1. Commandant (CG-WFS) solicits electronic OOY nominations via ALCOAST message annually.
2. Commands that wish to nominate an ombudsman must submit the most current Ombudsman Activities Questionnaire. Additionally, the OOY Nomination Worksheet outlines the selection criteria and will assist commands in identifying the best candidate.
3. If the ombudsman serves more than one unit only one nomination package will be accepted. The submitting command should solicit amplifying information from the other commands served.
4. Commands that have more than one Ombudsman; it is at the Commands discretion to submit one or all as a joint nomination.
5. All commands within the geographic boundaries of a District who desire to nominate their ombudsman must submit nominations to their respective Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinator (ROC) for Atlantic Area, Ms. Lori Gordy and for Pacific Area, Mr. Ryan Fahlenkamp by 23 January 2026. The Area ROC will review nomination packages for alignment with policy and tracking. All nominations are screened for award eligibility and Ombudsman Program compliance.
6. The Area ROC will forward all screened nomination packages to the appropriate District Command Master Chief (CMC) by 13 February 2026 for a panel selection.
7. District CMCs administer the District OOY process and convene a District OOY selection committee in accordance with applicable District instructions and,
I. Chair the OOY selection committee and tally individual scores to determine the District nominee. The District CMC will only vote in the event of a tie.
II. Upon selection the District CMC shall notify the District Commander, the sponsoring Flag Officer, and the Commanding Officer of the District’s OOY.
III. Submit to their respective Regional Ombudsman Coordinator (Atlantic or Pacific) one ombudsman nomination package to represent all units geographically within the District.
IV. Ensure the following additional information is included in the nomination package:
a. District Commander’s endorsement that all eligibility requirements and selection criteria have been met,
b. The nomination, in standard memorandum format not to exceed two pages,
c. Biographical information, to include information about the spouse and family, and
d. A draft citation.
8. The District CMC must forward scanned PDF of signed nomination, endorsement, and all required information to their respective Area Regional Ombudsman Coordinator, for Atlantic Area, Lori.A.Gordy@uscg.mil; for Pacific Area Ryan.J.Fahlenkamp2@uscg.mil no later than 02 March 2026. The Area ROCs will forward packages to (CG-WFS-2) by 06 March 2026.
9. A Coast Guard Headquarters selection panel will review District nominations and provide a recommendation to the Commandant for approval of the 2025 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year selection.
10. The Ombudsman of the Year will be announced via message traffic. The Coast Guard OOY and their spouse will be invited to a Coast Guard Headquarters award presentation. Detailed logistical information regarding the award presentation will be provided in separate correspondence after selections are made.
All Districts should announce their OOY via message traffic and hold an appropriate recognition ceremony.