BMC JOHN KEY, COAST GUARD RESERVE

2005 Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year
District/Unit: 13th, Station Portland, OR

CGR Career Highlights:

"I think the biggest highlight is meeting and working with all the different men and women who wear the uniform. I have made life long friends -- it is the people who make the Coast Guard," says Key.

While serving as a coxswain at Station Portland, Ore., he was a mentor, leader and trainer to the unit’s junior members. His fellow Coasties cite his dedication and enthusiasm as a factor that enabled the station to maintain its traditional search-and-rescue workload and fulfill the high operational tempo demands of the Coast Guard's ports, waterways and coastal security missions. Key says he has had a lot of good Coast Guard experiences, including field exercises with Port Security Unit 313. One big career highlight was being named the national Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year for 2005. The Coast Guard flew him to Washington, D.C., for a ceremony, where he met the top leadership of the Coast Guard.

Civilian Occupation: Portland, OR. Police Department

Community Service: Volunteer with the Portland Police Activity League (PAL) as a youth hockey coach and other PAL activities (Special Olympics, etc.)

How Recruited: He had Navy experience but joined the Coast Guard Reserve in October 1999 because a friend of his was interested in the port security units. That friend asked Key and another friend if they wanted to join, and the three enlisted together.