ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard 17th District 2013 Reserve Enlisted Petty Officer of the Year is Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicolai Tykalsky, a Wasilla native serving as a maritime enforcement specialist at Sector Anchorage.

Tykalsky’s nomination came as a result of his outstanding work with the Sector Anchorage enforcement division and the time he has devoted to the community of Anchorage.

The Coast Guard Reserve is an important resource for the Coast Guard and reserve members complement active duty personnel in a wide range of missions. During his time with Sector Anchorage, Tykalsky was instrumental in 22 boating safety operations and boarded more than 200 vessels during the busy summer season.

“Petty Officer Tykalsky quickly established himself as a superb shipmate and asset to our team,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Joseph Harwell, a reserve maritime enforcement specialist serving in Anchorage who nominated Tykalsky for this honor. “When I learned about all he’s done to improve his skills and to help the community I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this nomination.”

In addition to drilling with the Coast Guard, Tykalsky attended classes at the University of Alaska earning a degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. Furthermore, he went on to be accepted into the prestigious Alaska state law enforcement academy in Fairbanks. However, Tykalsky wasn’t nominated solely for his dedication to the Coast Guard and self-improvement.

“Petty Officer Tykalsky, like all other reserves, represents the U.S. Coast Guard in everything he does on and off duty,” said Harwell. “His involvement with the community has made a name for the Coast Guard in Alaska and for himself, but he isn’t doing it for the recognition.”

In his spare time Tykalsky regularly instructs a firearms safety course which promotes knowledgeable firearms handling to the general public. Tykalsky also teaches a women’s self defense course and volunteers time to the Alaska State Troopers’ Wish Upon a Northern Star program serving terminally ill children. During the holidays, Tykalsky worked with the Santa Cop and Heroes program providing Christmas gifts to senior citizens and helped serve 700 meals to the homeless Christmas Day.

“It’s an honor to accept the nomination for the 2013 17^th District Reserve Petty Officer of the Year,” said Tykalsky. “The Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the military, but the amount of good we do with so few people makes me extremely proud to be a Coast Guardsman.”

Source: USCG