My Coast Guard
An artist’s rendering of LCPs evacuating an ambushed marine battalion at Guadalcanal, which provides an accurate depiction of the bow configuration of a Coast Guard LCP. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy U.S. Coast Guard)

Aug. 11, 2023

The Long Blue Line: Coxswain Canavan’s impossible story of survival at Guadalcanal 80 years ago

“I did more praying in those hours I spent in the water than I had done in the twenty previous years of my life.”

United States Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay ensures participant safety during the 2023 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo courtesy of Kurt Lentsch)

Aug. 10, 2023

An icebreaker’s summer break on the Great Lakes

Cutter crew, auxiliarists and Academy cadets enhance skillsets and camaraderie during fair weather months.

Marine Safety Unit Chicago partnered with the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee and Illinois Department of Natural Resources this summer to develop and publish a passenger safety tool, Research Before Renting, for the public and Coast Guard boarding officers (BOs) at ports with chartered passenger vessels.

Aug. 8, 2023

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago’s new tool aids passengers — and boarding officers

“Research Before Renting” campaign promotes more informed and safer charter practices.

The Coast Guard Foundation will award eight $1,000 scholarships to enlisted Coast Guard reservists or their eligible dependents.

Aug. 7, 2023

Coast Guard Foundation announces scholarships for reservists, dependents

Reservists: Apply by Aug. 15 for your chance to earn a scholarship for you or your family.

Color photograph of the author, then Lt. Wayne Wheeler, on the bridge of Ironwood (WLB-297) in its home waters of Alaska. (Courtesy of the author)

Aug. 7, 2023

The Long Blue Line: The Ironwood—wartime ATON in Vietnam

"Back then it was less expensive to repair a ship in Japan than in a U.S. shipyard."

the PIE program at Base Miami Beach and hosted Career Day at Richard B. Ingram Elementary School in Nov. 2022. In the PIE program, Coast Guard members volunteer in local schools to work directly with students on a range of activities that promote students’ well-being and academic achievement. (U.S. Coast Guard photo taken by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ruth Hansen.)

Aug. 7, 2023

Has your unit commander appointed a PIE program coordinator?

The Partners in Education (PIE) program is a great way to volunteer in your community and represent the Coast Guard in local schools.

C5I is engineering compliance with new sensitivity labels to protect communications.

Aug. 3, 2023

Confidentiality: It’s your Fourth Amendment right

C5ISC is engineering compliance with new sensitivity labels to protect communications.

Members of the USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) conduct a regular workout while at sea in the South Atlantic on Jan. 19, 2021. Maintaining physical fitness is key to performing operations safely. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower)

Aug. 3, 2023

Body composition screening requirements for October 2023, April 2024 semiannual screening updated for some commands during beta test

Members of identified operational units can choose to enter Boatcrew Physical Fitness Test instead of Body Composition Screening.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Mayer, a culinary specialist temporarily assigned to USCGC Bear (WMEC 901), reads his citation after being awarded a letter of commendation ribbon at quarters, Atlantic Ocean, Sep. 13, 2022. Mayer was being rewarded for his continued hard work demonstrated over the course of his time aboard the Bear. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Abban)

Aug. 2, 2023

Coast Guard expands limited award issuing authority to all unit commanders

All commanding officers and officers-in-charge can now award Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons and Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation awards.

Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder poses with FN Peele while taking a break during law enforcement training at the Portsmouth, Va., shooting range.

Aug. 2, 2023

“An experience you’re not gonna get anywhere else.” — Why Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Yoder serves at sea  

I wanted a little direction and opportunity for adventure, so we drove 4 1/2 hours from Wyoming to the nearest recruiter — and here I am.