DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT UNITED STATES COAST GUARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 20593-0001 2 September 2008 Dear Ms. Ruggiero, In reply to your recent query to the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Thad W. Allen, 1 offer the following comments/answers to your questions. Since 2006, the Coast Guard Investigative Service conducted four investigations involving Petty Officer Jeffrey R. Ruggiero. Three of the investigations were completed and. closed; the fourth investigation, initiated in July 2008, is ongoing. Investigative activity by the Coast Guard Investigative Service into allegations brought against Petty Officer Ruggiero will be conducted in accordance with established Coast Guard policies and procedures, and they will be concluded once the appropriate investigative leads have been exhausted. ‘Our Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Work-Life has undergone several changes and is currently updating the Coast Guard Family Advocacy Program and the Management of Family ‘Advocacy and Special Needs Cases. These new changes will update current practices and more closely align with Department of Defense (DoD) policies, including updated victim rights and prohibit the practice of mandating treatment for victims. In addition, the Office of Work-Life has begun using a DoD-adopted case review process; this new process will be formally documented in the upcoming policy revisions. Regarding your comment about the Coast Guard serving as the example for domestic and family abuse training, field unit commhand personnel are provided Family Advocacy training at commanding officer conferences, and all Coast Guard personnel are required to receive training by Family Advocacy Specialists on the identification of child, spouse, sibling, parent, and elder abuse every three years. Commanding officers are required to follow procedures established by the Family Advocacy Program to immediately protect victims of family violence. ‘You commented about Privacy Act concerns, and I want to assure you that everyone’s privacy is important, No information about Petty Officer Ruggiero or you will be released except in accordance with the Privacy Act and other laws. Commander James B. Pruett from the Seventh District Legal Staff continues to be your point of contact for matters related to Petty Officer Ruggiero. Sincerely, Piyt— D. A. NEPTUN Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard