Dec. 2, 2006 – U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Daniel Gautier keeps on making a path for others to follow.
Gautier is a 1996 graduate of Central High School, who joined the U.S. Coast Guard in February 2003 after a stint with the U.S. Army. He received a Commandant's Letter of Commendation Medal from Coast Guard District 17 Rear Adm. Arthur E. Brooks for demonstrating exceptional fiscal stewardship, technical skills and dedication to the unit's moral.
While assigned to Coast Guard Long Range Station (LORAN) St. Paul, Alaska, he maintained a budget of $160,000 and processed over 200 procurement requests in excess of $149,000, meticulously tracking them from order placement to receipt. Knowing that the unit financial records needed to be kept current in his absence, he voluntarily took a Remote Access Service token with him on his mid-tour leave in order to maintain financial records. When the RAS token malfunctioned, he made several trips to another Coast Guard unit near his leave address to complete weekly budget and finance reconciliation reports.
His efforts significantly improved the station's budget performance as indicated by scores above 90 percent on the newly implemented Budget Metrics Tracking System. Showing keen attention to detail, he recognized that approximately $40,000 worth of property was in excess of the unit's need. He expertly processed all documentation necessary to transfer the property for proper disposal.
Since joining the service, he has gone from a journeyman seaman to a first class petty officer storekeeper in less than four years. He is very competitive, confident and mature and performs well above his duties. His wife, Claricia, is also serving in the Coast Guard Sector Miami and became a first class petty officer two months ahead of him in September. Both are assigned to Coast Guard units in Florida and have a five year-old son, Lionel.
The Gautier's said, "We're both happy we made the Coast Guard our career choice and would like to see other young Virgin Islanders consider a career in the service." They both participate in the Coast Guard Partnership in Education program and return annually to St. Croix to mentor students and conduct Coast Guard COMPASS outreach. Their advice to high school students wanting to join the Coast Guard is to study, learn how to swim and to stay away from drugs.
