My Coast Guard News

3) The all-African American Life-Saving Service crew at Pea Island. For decades, the station served as a singular success story in a service with few other examples of racial progress. (Coast Guard Collection)

Feb. 2, 2024

First to serve, first to fight and first to sacrifice — African Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard

The history of African American participation in the Coast Guard and its predecessor services dates back to the very founding of the Service in 1790.

A portrait of Silver Star Medal recipient Seaman First Class Rollin Fritch, one of the heroic Coast Guardsmen to die on board the Callaway during the kamikaze attack on January 8, 1945. (Courtesy of the Fritch family)

Callaway in camouflage paint scheme during World War II. (U.S. Navy)

Jan. 26, 2024

Rollin Fritch — Silver Star hero of Attack Transport Callaway

“Rollin Fritch’s devotion to duty reminds us how to conduct ourselves aboard this ship. He manned his gun until the very end.” — Lt. Jason McCarthey, Cutter Rollin Fritch’s first commanding officer

A coast guard blue background with a red square around the border. In the middle is a cap with dog tags hanging from it. Underneath is the text GI Bill.

Jan. 19, 2024

Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Program new requirement

The opt-out timeline for the MGIB Program has been extended. Here’s what you need to know.

Every year the Coast Guard participates in national civil rights awards programs to enable you to recognize and celebrate your coworkers and their contributions to civil rights and equal opportunity. In 2024, you can recognize and celebrate your coworkers by nominating them for any of the following awards.

Jan. 19, 2024

Recognize, celebrate your coworker’s contributions to Civil Rights

Between January and May, ALCOASTS soliciting nominations for each award will be posted on the Civil Rights Directorate Civil Rights Award Program webpage.

Jan. 16, 2024

MyCG 2023 Year-in-Review

We take a look back at our top articles, changes from the past year.

A graphic with a white background and a blue rectangular border. In the middle of the graphic is the text "DES" and underneath that in smaller print is "Disability Evaluation System:

Jan. 10, 2024

When Plans Change: Facing Medical Separation in the Coast Guard

Office of Member Advocacy is your lifeline when faced with medical separation challenges.

Boarding officers in an interceptor boat from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton take suspected smugglers into custody during the boarding of a suspected smuggling vessel in international waters in the drug transit zone of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Feb. 23, 2017. The Stratton seized a total of 3,700 pounds of cocaine during their counter-smuggling patrol. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Barney)

Jan. 8, 2024

From Mission Analysis Report to action: Reshaping Coast Guard maritime enforcement

Changing times means changing missions - expectations for safety remain.

Two men pose together at parade rest in front of a U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Team building.

Jan. 5, 2024

The World War II Beach Patrol in Jacksonville Beach

Coast Guard Headquarters authorized the institution of beach patrols in all areas adjacent to the coast. The patrol members came to be known colloquially as “sand pounders.” By August of 1942, the first patrols with dogs were instituted.

Photo of coins stacked up in ascending order. On the left hand side is bold text that reads CONUS COLA

Jan. 2, 2024

Help DOD set cost of living allowance rates by taking the Living Patterns Survey

You can take the LPS now to influence COLA rates.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Rollins, a machinery technician at Station Sabine, poses for a portrait at the pier after an award ceremony at the station in Sabine Pass, Texas, Dec. 13, 2023. Rollins received a Meritorious Service Medal for rescuing two men from a sinking tugboat on March 31, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Corinne Zilnicki)

Dec. 27, 2023

Strong enough — Coast Guardsman frees 2 trapped in sinking tugboat

“The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to those who truly go above and beyond. Petty Officer Rollins acted selflessly and embodied the motto ‘So others may live.’” — Master Chief Petty Officer Steven Beasley.