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Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: CG-0931
Phone: (202) 372-4579
Email: innovation@uscg.mil
12 MAR 2008
COMDTINST 5224.13
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5224.13
Subj: COAST GUARD INNOVATION PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction formally establishes the Coast Guard Innovation Program and
Commandant’s Innovation Council, including policy and guidelines for the Innovation Database,
Innovation Account, Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Awards, and annual Innovation Expo.
2. ACTION. Area, district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
commander deployable operations group, commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant
commandants for directorates, Judge Advocate General and special staff offices at Headquarters
shall ensure that the provisions of this Instruction are followed. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Award, COMDTINST 1650.8,
is hereby cancelled.
4. BACKGROUND. The Coast Guard initially established the Innovation Program when the
Commandant’s Innovation Council was created in November 2000. The Innovation Council was
established to leverage the creative potential of our talented workforce, facilitate full enterprise
implementation of worthy innovations, and nurture a culture where innovative thinking and risk-
taking are encouraged throughout the Coast Guard.
5. DISCUSSION.
a. Innovation Council Philosophy. Innovation is not a new concept; across commercial and
government sectors, leaders continuously search for new ways to obtain better results. The
Coast Guard Innovation Program aids Coast Guard leaders in promoting innovation by:
(1) Providing a testing ground for innovative solutions to existing challenges;
(2) Prioritizing and championing Coast Guard innovation projects; and
(3) Encouraging, recognizing, and rewarding innovative people and teams.
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