1. 9/512015
To Whom it May Concern:
I am extremely pleased to be able to write this character reference letter for Commander
William "Dan" Harris, U.S. Coast Guard Retired.
Dan and I worked together during our time in the U.S. Coast Guard on two occasions. We were
both assigned to Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown where Dan was a Lieutenant assigned to the
Assistant Chief of Boat Forces, and later served as the Command Security Offrcer for the training
center. At the time, I was a Commander and Division Offrcer then later moved up to be the Executive
Officer for the Training Center responsible for the operations of the entire command. Throughout, Dan
clearly stood out from the rest as an energetic, dedicated, and mature young officeq displaying those
stellar attributes we look for in a top echelon officer.
It was during the offrcer assignment year of 2010 when I really came to know Dan. At the time,
I was the Comrnanding Officer of the newly formed Healtln" Safety, Work-Life Support Center in
Norfolk, VA. There, I was responsible for the operations of the entire medical, safety and worklife
systems throughout the entire Coast Guard. At the time, I had an officer that was desperately
struggling to perform in our southeast region, an arearesponsible for the delivery of health care and
work life services from South Carolin4 to South Florida, and throughout the Caribbean. Unfortunately,
the officer could not produce the perfornance needed and I, sadly, had to move the individual on to
other duties. I then had to find someone that could not only handle arguably one of the most difficult
areas in the nation, but I also needed someone who could rebuild trust with the people we served.
Fortune smiled on me when I found out Dan was available for assignment. I desperately needed the
strong leadership that I knew he would quickly provide. So, after talking with Dan, I personally worked
with the Coast Guard assignment offrcers to get Dan orders to the position. I wanted a'ogo-getter" and
someone I knew would get the things done that I needed to get done...Dan was the perfect choice.
During my time as the Commanding Offrcer, Dan proved to be the perfect choice. During his
first 18 months in that position, Dan managed to successfully deploy Critical lncident Stress
Management Teams in support ofthe Haitian Earthquake; he maintained medical readiness levels
above 94% (the Coast Guard standard is90Yo), he initiated the "Fatherhood Initiative" throughout his
area of responsibility he moved Health Promotion Managers into clinics to work hand in hand with
clinicians, and coordinated the stand up and renovation of two Coast Guard clinics.
Dan is a proven leader. If given the opporrunity, I would have Dan on my leadership team now,
and in the future. I am avulable, and happy to answer any questions you might have.
Most sincerely,
./(LGary Bruce, MS Ed
Captain, USCG, Retired
Bruce6l@cox.net
(7s7)784-s6ss