My unit is the best place to work because:
As a Fast Response Cutter (FRC) tasked with protecting the maritime border, our primary mission is to interdict illicit activity and save lives at sea. With a permanent crew of twenty-six, we operate as a tight-knit team committed to mission success. We take care of one another professionally and personally. While inport, we maintain our readiness through group workouts and sustain high morale through events like brewery happy hours, pontoon boat outings, barbecues, and bowling. We work hard, operate hard, and take care of each other on and off duty.
As a District Seven FRC, we are often busy conducting a variety of operations. The job is exciting and fulfilling. Being stationed in Key West, Florida, we enjoy a great geographic location with an unparallelled range of activities off-duty. There is something here for everyone and great weather year-round.
What we do:
Our primary mission is Alien Interdiction Operations (AIO). In this mission set, we conduct joint operations with other Department of Homeland Security agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol and work with other Coast Guard cutters and stations. We stop and interdict individuals from unseaworthy vessels, saving lives and protecting the integrity of the nation’s maritime border.
As a Coast Guard unit, we remain ready to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) at any time. We protect recreational boaters, scuba divers, and others enjoying Key West’s pristine waters. We also protect the Florida Keys National Maritime Sanctuary by conducting fisheries boardings and other Living Marine Resources (LMR) operations.
We have also had the privilege of representing the United States in international relations. In January 2024, we hosted the Governor of the Cayman Islands and other senior members of the country’s government, advocating for strong maritime partnerships to prevent drug and human trafficking in the Caribbean.
Why it's fulfilling:
We save lives at sea. We give back to the local community and the country. We ensure that the beautiful waters we patrol and enjoy are protected for future generations. Among the crew, we share close friendships and common purpose to ensure the security of our country and the safety of its citizens.
When not on watch, we:
In the evenings underway, we play Scrabble and Catan on the mess-deck and have Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings movie marathons. We’re also big fans of Talladega Nights, Master and Commander, and Captain Ron. On weekends, we have trivia and cornhole games. We have fish calls and often catch Mahi. Lots of the crew enjoys working out, and we have free weights, an erg machine, and a stationary bike onboard.
Why it’s great to live here:
Key West is a fantastic duty station. A singular and eclectic vacation destination, the island has a welcoming local community and widespread support and appreciation for the military. It hosts numerous festivals and special events for all interests and age groups and has a fascinating culture and history.
The FRC platform is perfect for anyone who wants a fast-paced professional environment and ability to work in a wide range of responsibilities. As a relatively small unit, junior members have the opportunity to earn numerous high-level qualifications such as Underway Officer of the Deck, Underway Engineer of the Watch, Small Boat Coxswain, and Non-Compliant Vessel – Pursuit (NCV-P) Coxswain and Crew. Members receive C-schools and on-the-job training in a variety of collaterals such as law enforcement (including weapons instruction), Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Baking, small boat operations, fisheries enforcement, and more. All rates and ranks form an integral part of the close-knit team.
Our amazing Ombudsman, Mrs. Kaylee Dowell, ensures that the many families among the crew have access to resources for hurricane preparedness, parenting, financial readiness, and more. We are blessed with a strong support system by and for spouses and partners.
What we do for fun:
Outside of work, we live in a fantastic location. Key Wests boasts world-class fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation in an incredibly unique and pristine environment, like paddleboarding and kayaking in the mangroves, scuba diving on the world’s third largest reef system, or taking a sport fishing charter. Many of the crew own recreational boats and go to the back-country's sandbars off-duty. We enjoy going out on the town on Duval Street. The island also has many museums (the lighthouse, Hemmingway House, Truman’s Little White House, butterfly conservatory, and more). The East Marbello Museum houses the haunted doll that inspired Chucky!
We also love spending time with our pets! We’re a big dog crew. Two folks have cats, but we like them anyway.
Best-kept secret:
We have the best ship’s sponsor in the fleet. Mrs. Audie Dodson is the great-great-great granddaughter of the ship’s namesake, Mr. Isaac Mayo. Although she resides in Mississippi, Audie makes one or two trips to the Florida Keys per year to support the boat. She’s treated us to several happy hours and countless jokes and gems of life advice. She has done in-depth research on Mr. Mayo’s life and shares inspiring stories that cement our shared purpose and motivation. Audie makes this boat a family.
We are also sponsored by the Key West chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition to grounding us to the country’s history, they’ve donated a hot dog roller, fishing gear, cornhole boards, and more to our morale program. We’re incredibly grateful for this partnership!
Our mission:
Our ship’s motto is “The will to serve, courage to protect.” We honor the legacy of our namesake, a surfman in Cape Cod who led the daring rescues of sailors from multiple shipwrecks and earned the Gold Lifesaving Medal from the U.S. Lifesaving Service for the rescue of the crew of the schooner Sarah J. Fort. Carrying on the Mayo legacy, we strive to protect safety of life at sea and humble ourselves to the higher purpose of serving the American people.
Our Captain’s command philosophy charges us to embody integrity, attitude, initiative, and professionalism. We achieve this challenge daily and are the best Fast Response Cutter in the Coast Guard!
Benefits to working here:
On several patrols a year, we have the opportunity to travel throughout southern Florida and the Caribbean region. Previous port calls include San Juan, Miami, Sint Maarten, Saint Croix, Puerto Plata, Grad Turk, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Saint Thomas. We frequently anchor at the Dry Tortugas, site of historic Fort Jefferson and the United States’ most isolated National Park.
We also have great cooks! Our favorite meals underway are enchiladas, steak, and BLTs. Our culinary team makes killer homemade bread about three times a week and always makes an effort to serve fresh salads and fruit with meals. As a small cutter with shorter times at sea, we have more fresh produce and good food than a lot of larger platforms.
Off duty, Key West offers easy access to Miami, Everglades National Park, and the Homestead Speedway. Several airlines offer cheap flights from Key West to the rest of Florida and the Southeastern United States. It is an easy drive to Miami for cruises, and many cruise lines offer good deals for military families.
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In the News: Is your unit the best place to work in the Coast Guard?