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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Aug. 4, 2020

Your Next Idea Could be the Game Changer for the Coast Guard Workforce

By Loretta Haring, CG-9

Specific innovative technologies are often referred to as game changers, however, the real game changers at the Coast Guard are the women and men who make up the workforce. You can be part of this force for change by submitting your ideas to the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation and Innovation (RDT&E) Program. You may be responsible for helping solve some of the Coast Guard’s most wicked challenges!

RDT&E wants to focus its energies on what will bring the most benefit to the Coast Guard. That’s where you come in because you know what frustrates you, slows you or impedes you as you go about your daily tasks. You’ve heard or thought of a process, a system or a gadget that could make things better. TELL RDT&E! Tenacity, creativity and disruption are all welcome.

Submit ideas/challenges/gaps/potential solutions to the “FY22 CG Research and Development Project Idea Submission” campaign using the Coast Guard’s crowdsourcing platform, CG_Ideas@Work. Our new icon is now located conveniently on your desktop!

The next deadline to submit ideas is Sept. 11, 2020. If you want to see what projects are currently underway, the FY20 RDT&E Project Portfolio is available here. More information about CG_Ideas@Work is available here.

Research, development, test, and evaluation is an exercise in shaping the future of the Coast Guard. The RDT&E program champions ideas that future-proof the workforce and optimize for today while continually innovating and adapting for tomorrow. Now is the time to lift your head from the day-to-day work and look toward the future, and help prepare for the mission environment and technology landscape yet to come. Participation is strongly encouraged. Questions? Contact research@uscg.mil.