Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-I
Phone: (202) 267-1530
Fax: (202) 493-7692
Email:
COMDTINST 5720.3
MAR 19 2003
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5720.3
Subj: DOCUMENTING THE 2003 USCG OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction sets out policy, doctrine and procedure for units deploying overseas to
preserve the record of their Operation Enduring Freedom operations and incorporate operational
lessons learned.
2. ACTION
. All Commanding Officers and Officers in Charge shall familiarize themselves with the
requirements of the policies, doctrine and procedures contained in this Instruction. Internet release
authorized
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED
. None
4. BACKGROUND
. A complete historical record of Coast Guard overseas operations in Operation
Enduring Freedom is vital to the institutional memory of the Service. History is used to document
important events and accomplishments in order to build esprit de corps and develop operational
documentation in order to provide all levels of the service with lessons-learned and strategic insights
from missions.
5. DISCUSSION
. It is the combination of traditional historical sources (logbooks, situation reports,
statements of commander intent, operations plans, operations and planning orders, and after action
reports) with oral history interviews of key participants of Coast Guard operations that provides the
historical data necessary to support strategic analysis required by senior service leadership and esprit
de corps indoctrination to the operational forces.
6. POLICY
. Commandant (G-I) policy is to gather Coast Guard operational documentation and oral
histories in a logical and efficient manner to support the strategic analysis of operations. This
facilitates the writing of Coast Guard history and preserves the record of our proud service for the
American people.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 140
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