TRACEN Commander Delivers State of Training Center Address

CAPE MAY. – Capt. Bill Kelly, commanding officer of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, delivered the 2011 State of the Training Center Address, March 6. The address highlights the crew’s accomplishments in 2011 and outlines some of the challenges they’ll face in 2012.
Kelly spoke to an audience of more than 300 military, civilian and auxiliary personnel highlighting the significant accomplishments of the training center staff in 2011 and the challenges they face in 2012.
Kelly highlighted the completion of the $3.7 million gym renovation project, the $9 million beach replenishment effort, the renovation efforts to Etheridge Hall and the $2.5 million rehabilitation effort to Pier 3 aboard the facility. These construction projects are aimed at improving the quality of life and the mission readiness of the unit.
“The service has limited resources, and it must invest them wisely in a location where the Coast Guard can be confident it will be spent appropriately for projects that will ensure we maintain our shore infrastructure,” said Kelly during his address.
The commanding officer also pointed to the graduation of 3,271 new recruits, 22 company commanders and 82 new recruiters as a measurement of success as well. These men and women will be charged with conducting the front line missions of the Coast Guard, training the next generation of Coast Guardsmen and recruiting the most qualified applicants possible for the Coast Guard.“The manner in which we train, motivate, and lead our future shipmates sets the foundation for the service,” said Kelly. “We must execute our mission in a manner that secures the trust and confidence of our service and the families who entrust their loved ones to our cares.”
In his address, Kelly also pointed out several challenges that face the training center in 2012 including preparations for a full-scale active shooter exercise in May, continued reinvestment and improvements in Coast Guard housing, and the implementation of a second Learning Resource Center for recruits. These are just a few of the challenges Kelly outlined in his address.
“There is a lot to do in 2012,” concluded Kelly. “We have the opportunity to impact the organization’s success each and every day through our interactions with the recruits, our service to our shipmates, the way we develop ourselves personally and professionally, and through our efforts to make this the best place to live and work in the Coast Guard.”
Kelly also recognized Training Center Cape May’s award recipients during the address including Training Center Cape May’s Enlisted Person of the Year for 2011, Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Chase, 26, from Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Mrs. Kim Tangree was recognized as Training Center Cape May’s Civilian of the Year for 2011, and Mrs. Judy Dempsey was recognized as Training Center Cape May’s Auxiliarist of the Year for 2011.
Training Center Cape May is the birthplace of the Coast Guard’s enlisted corps as the service’s single accession point for enlisted personnel. New recruits undergo an intensive, eight-week basic training program to prepare them for the rigors of service in the Coast Guard. The training Center is also home to 14 tenant commands providing critical logistical and support services.