My Coast Guard News

Color photograph of the author, then Lt. Wayne Wheeler, on the bridge of Ironwood (WLB-297) in its home waters of Alaska. (Courtesy of the author)

Aug. 7, 2023

The Long Blue Line: The Ironwood—wartime ATON in Vietnam

"Back then it was less expensive to repair a ship in Japan than in a U.S. shipyard."

the PIE program at Base Miami Beach and hosted Career Day at Richard B. Ingram Elementary School in Nov. 2022. In the PIE program, Coast Guard members volunteer in local schools to work directly with students on a range of activities that promote students’ well-being and academic achievement. (U.S. Coast Guard photo taken by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ruth Hansen.)

Aug. 7, 2023

Has your unit commander appointed a PIE program coordinator?

The Partners in Education (PIE) program is a great way to volunteer in your community and represent the Coast Guard in local schools.

C5I is engineering compliance with new sensitivity labels to protect communications.

Aug. 3, 2023

Confidentiality: It’s your Fourth Amendment right

C5ISC is engineering compliance with new sensitivity labels to protect communications.

Aug. 3, 2023

Civilians: mission complete!

You pulled together to beat FEMA in their Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey response rate challenge.

Members of the USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) conduct a regular workout while at sea in the South Atlantic on Jan. 19, 2021. Maintaining physical fitness is key to performing operations safely. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower)

Aug. 3, 2023

Body composition screening requirements for October 2023, April 2024 semiannual screening updated for some commands during beta test

Members of identified operational units can choose to enter Boatcrew Physical Fitness Test instead of Body Composition Screening.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Mayer, a culinary specialist temporarily assigned to USCGC Bear (WMEC 901), reads his citation after being awarded a letter of commendation ribbon at quarters, Atlantic Ocean, Sep. 13, 2022. Mayer was being rewarded for his continued hard work demonstrated over the course of his time aboard the Bear. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Abban)

Aug. 2, 2023

Coast Guard expands limited award issuing authority to all unit commanders

All commanding officers and officers-in-charge can now award Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons and Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation awards.

Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder poses with FN Peele while taking a break during law enforcement training at the Portsmouth, Va., shooting range.

Aug. 2, 2023

“An experience you’re not gonna get anywhere else.” — Why Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder serves at sea  

I wanted a little direction and opportunity for adventure, so we drove 4 1/2 hours from Wyoming to the nearest recruiter — and here I am.

When changing station, manager or address, don’t forget to update your personal information.

Aug. 1, 2023

Changing duty station or supervisors? Check out these new ways to update your information online

These two resources make your transition easier.

Aug. 1, 2023

Changing the way we do business

Unmanned aircraft systems offer increased capabilities and reduced risks to crews.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk flies overhead while personnel assigned to the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific Strike teams scan for unaccounted people in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Sept. 29, 2022. Coast Guard National Strike Force teams mobilized to areas affected by Hurricane Ian to perform urban search and rescue. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Wisdom)

Aug. 1, 2023

Announcing the annual Coast Guard Emergency Manager and Unit of the Year awards

New awards will recognize emergency managers “embracing the challenges of a dynamic crisis landscape."