In today’s fast-moving threat environment, speed, coordination and decisive advantage are critical to mission success. That is why the Coast Guard has released the Digital Transformation (DTX) Strategy, a blueprint designed to deliver maritime advantage by improving how we gather, share, and act on information across the Service.
The DTX Strategy provides a Service-wide roadmap to:
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Empower the workforce to use new technologies through targeted professional development, enabling faster adoption, greater effectiveness, and more impact on the mission.
A strategy for the modern Coast Guard
Ultimately, DTX means improved access to the data, tools, and systems that help the workforce make quicker, more informed decisions at every level. It means getting new capabilities into the field faster, reducing unscheduled maintenance, strengthening our cyber defenses, and cutting down on the administrative burdens and manual processes that reduce time on task.
In the digitally transformed Coast Guard, for example, boarding officials will be equipped with handheld mobile devices containing secure, digital versions of required forms and operational systems. Instead of spending valuable time filling out duplicate forms by hand and reentering information into required databases, boarding officers will be able to capture key data in real time while staying focused on their primary mission: boarding vessels and keeping the American people safe.
The result is a faster, more transparent experience for the public and reduced administrative burden on Coast Guard boarding personnel, allowing crews to spend less time on paperwork and more time focused on mission execution and public safety.
Most importantly, DTX is about sharpening the Coast Guard’s operational edge. By offloading manual administrative work to modern technology, we can reduce the friction that pulls crews away from mission-critical work, allowing them to focus on operations that require human judgment, leadership, and expertise. This means fewer barriers to action, improved situational awareness, and greater agility in responding to emerging threats.
“Digital transformation is a cultural shift in how we operate,” said Brian Campo, director of technology readiness and chief data and artificial intelligence officer (CDAO). “This strategy calls for strengthening the workforce’s digital literacy, encouraging adoption of new tools, and fostering a culture that embraces digital innovation and continuous learning.”
Looking ahead
Digital transformation is already underway. The new Technical Readiness Transformation (TRT) office, established by the Technology Readiness Directorate (CG-TECH) to oversee implementation efforts, is advancing DTX through targeted pilots, training, and enterprise data initiatives designed to deliver operational value quickly and at scale. Early efforts, including automation of workflows and improved data integration, are closing readiness gaps and increasing the Service’s ability to respond quickly when the stakes are high.
In the coming months, CG-TECH teams will bring these capabilities directly to units across the Service in a series of roadshows. These hands-on engagements will pair operators with technical experts who will deliver practical training on AI and automation, while working side by side to identify opportunities to streamline processes and enhance mission execution. The roadshows are designed to help units apply technology to their specific operational challenges and deliver immediate impact.
“We are committed to building a modern Coast Guard where technology amplifies human capability, data informs every decision, and our workforce is equipped to meet emerging challenges with confidence,” said Lindsay Abbott, TRT office chief. “Our goal is to ensure that the historic investments provided by the Fiscal Year 2025 Reconciliation Bill become enduring capabilities for a digitally fluent force that can adapt at the speed of change.”
To learn more, visit the DTX Strategy SharePoint site at https://go.uscg.mil/dtx.
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