The Commandant, Adm. Linda Fagan, focused on operations, the workforce, and the future as she delivered her 2nd State of the Coast Guard address to Congress last night. You can view it on YouTube or Vimeo.
Operations
Adm. Fagan highlighted the response to Lahaina wildfires on Maui, narcotics interdictions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, and maritime migrant interdictions in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Straits of Florida. She cited the HARRIET LANE’s homeport shift from Portsmouth, Virginia, to Honolulu, Hawaii, as evidence of the importance of the Indo-Pacific region. She also pointed to the HEALY’s Artic transit as an important step to ensuring our national sovereignty in the northern high latitudes.
“Last year, the United States Coast Guard saved nearly five thousand lives, and ensured the safety of thousands more through our work to prevent maritime accidents before they happen,” said Adm. Fagan.
People
The Talent Management Transformation Task Force “hit the ground running, challenged long-held assumptions, and are writing new personnel policies that make it easier to join and serve in the United States Coast Guard,” said Adm. Fagan.
Adm. Fagan advocated for our families to have access to affordable housing, childcare, and medical facilities. She pointed to the creation of the Talent Acquisition Specialist rating, the opening of new recruiting offices, and broadening the applicant pool as key steps to closing our current workforce shortage. The Commandant celebrated the tailored approach offered by Agile A-Schools that get trained Petty Officers to the field quicker than before. She celebrated the changes to how the Service manages talent and makes it easier to serve.
“The Coast Guard of the future will increasingly rely on data, analytics, and artificial intelligence to inform our missions,” said Adm. Fagan.
Future
Adm. Fagan expressed her excitement in launching the ARGUS, the first offshore patrol cutter (OPC). She set her top acquisition priority as starting construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the first new heavy icebreaker built in the United States since the 1970s. She cited the Office of Data Analytics and use of unmanned systems as force multipliers. Finally, Adm. Fagan highlighted efforts to strengthen service culture.
The State of the Coast Guard Address is mainly intended for Congress and external stakeholders. The Commandant will hold a Townhall for all members of the Service on April 3. Stay tuned to find out how you can be a part of the Townhall.
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