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Commentary | May 5, 2025

Transform your leadership skills by serving as a Recruit Company Commander

By Zach Shapiro, MyCG Writer

Here’s your opportunity to shape the next generation of Coasties from the ground up. The Coast Guard is looking for the next batch of Recruit Company Commanders (RCCs) to serve at Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May for Assignment Year (AY) 2026. Petty Officers in pay grades E-5 through E-7 are eligible for this Special Assignment.  
 
This is a prime opportunity for enlisted members to hone their leadership skills, learn from their shipmates, and leave a lasting impact on the future of the Coast Guard. 
 
“There is no job like training our recruits,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Eric Perez, battalion commander at TRACEN Cape May. It’s a hands-on experience in leadership education, he explained. Every day, he told MyCG, is filled with moments where company commanders learn leadership in action—not just from the experience of mentoring recruits, but also from their fellow company commanders, who are extremely high-performing Petty Officers and Chief Petty Officers.  
 
Perez emphasized the impact of the role on the future of the Service: “Not only will you impact hundreds, and potentially thousands of lives and help these civilians who come [to boot camp] and don’t know what to expect, but ultimately, you are helping them build their professional careers.”  
 
If you are interested in this Special Assignment, please see enlisted messsage 025/25 for more information on application details and eligibility requirements. Below is a timeline of the application and selection process: 

  • Aug. 22, 2025: application deadline 
  • Aug. 29-Sept. 12: applicant interviews 
  • On or around Sept. 18: selections announced 
  • Jan.-May 2026: window for selected RCCs to complete CC Class “C” School  

If you have any questions about the position, you may contact any of the following members and teams: 

-USCG- 

Resources: 


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