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Commentary | Sept. 9, 2025

Coast Guard launches Futures Development and Integration (FD&I) Directorate to chart path forward and drive innovation

By Cmdr. David Garden, Deputy Chief (DCO-5D)

The Coast Guard just established a new directorate to help revolutionize Coast Guard capabilities.  

The Futures Development and Integration Directorate (FD&I)—a key Force Design 2028 initiative—serves as the central hub for planning the Coast Guard of the future, helping us adapt quickly and stay ready for the challenges that lie ahead.  

Think of it as "think-tank" meets deck plate. 

FD&I is designed to address issues identified in the Force Design 2028 Executive Report, including declining readiness, outdated systems, slow requirements processes, and the need to better operationalize long-term Coast Guard strategy.  By consolidating and aligning legacy siloed staffs (including CG-PAE, DCO-X, the CG R&D Center, CG-926, and parts of CG-7), FD&I is organized into five offices to deliver a unified, future-focused force development process:  

  • Foresight and Strategy: Identifies and analyzes future challenges and develops strategy that informs Coast Guard legislation, policy, and plans.  
  • Wargaming and Innovation: Tests strategies and operational concepts and drives the implementation of cutting-edge technology.  
  • Research and Development Center (field command): FD&I’s execution arm conducting research, modeling and simulation, and rapid prototyping of concepts and emerging technologies. 
  • Strategic Capabilities: Focuses on developing, integrating, and governing future capabilities. 
  • Program Analysis and Evaluation: Integrates long-term planning and performance analysis providing comprehensive decision support. 

By treating these functions as an interconnected "system of systems," FD&I will strengthen the service’s foresight and agility. We are building FD&I based on successful strategies used by the Department of Defense and private industry, while also incorporating existing strengths from across the Coast Guard. 

The historic $24.5 billion investment in the Coast Guard through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has changed what is possible, and FD&I will ensure future investments enable the right capabilities to be in the right place at the right time. 

Rear Adm. Amy Grable leads FD&I and currently reports to the Acting Chief of Staff. FD&I will transition to the Coast Guard Secretariat when a future Secretary of the Coast Guard is confirmed. 

More information on engaging with FD&I will follow as the team gets its sea legs. 

-USCG- 

Resources:  

feature news FD&I Futures Development and Integration