Service members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces, to include National Guard and Reserve components, served on the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), the organization responsible for military support to ceremonies and civil authorities for the 58th Presidential Inauguration.
U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Shane Stidman, chief maritime enforcement specialist assigned to Coast Guard Sector San Diego, worked as the chief ceremonies and special events coordinator for the inauguration, which took place Jan. 20.
“Being one of only seven Coast Guard reservists to be activated for this, I am honored to [have been] selected to take part in this time-honored American tradition,” said Stidman of being selected for the JTF-NCR.
As chief ceremonies and special events coordinator, his responsibilities included planning, preparing and executing several special projects for the Presidential Inauguration, to include coordinating with hotels, local law enforcement agencies, catering companies and transportation organizations, and managing several other logistical factors that were required for the successful outcome of the event.
Stidman, a San Diego native and service member of over 10 years, said that he was specifically selected as the project officer for the JTF-NCR mission due to his experience in leading teams and supporting large events.
“I was stationed at Port Security Unit 305 as the squad leader for 15 junior members in the Shoreside Security Division,” said Stidman. “I was part of a team that was responsible for training members on tactics, techniques and procedures for the Coast Guard’s mission when deployed.”
Stidman is no stranger to working in a joint capacity and said that he considered himself fortunate to come together as one team and work on such a large-scale event.
“Best part of the job is being able to work in a joint environment with all of our sister services and watch how members from all five services can come up with an excellent plan of action, and then execute it,” said Stidman.
“It’s eye-opening.”