The Coast Guard has created its first two cyber-focused reserve commands to bolster cybersecurity for the Service’s networks, the Marine Transportation System (MTS), and integrate into Joint Cyber Operations in alignment with United States Cyber Command (USCYBER).
Coast Guard Reserve Unit (CGRU) USCYBER and 1941 Cyber Protection Team (CPT) were officially established at a ceremony on Friday, October 18 at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday, presided over the event, and Rear Adm. Jason Tama, Commander, Coast Guard Cyber Command provided remarks highlighting the importance of the cyber mission to the Coast Guard and the MTS.
The new reserve commands follow the establishment of active duty 1790, 2013, and 2003 CPTs as commands over the past year, expanding commanding officer opportunities within the cyber career path and enlisted positions for the new Cyber Mission Specialist (CMS) rating.
The addition of cyber reserve units will boost Service wide capabilities and allow the Coast Guard to retain cyber talent that would otherwise be lost, says Lt. Cmdr. Theodore Borny of the Office of Cyberspace Forces (CG-791), which began putting together these units in early 2023.
These reserve commands include personnel from all over the country, bringing together a wide range of experience from the private and public sector. “Coast Guard Cyber is already benefitting from its reserve members,” Borny said. “Formalizing reserves with cyber talent into cohesive units will give us the ability to channel a skillset that is very hard to acquire and retain.”
What the new units will do
Coast Guard Reserve Unit (CGRU) US Cyber Command will have 15 billets to start and be led by Capt. Ronzelle Green, who developed expertise in intelligence, maritime security, and cyber security while on active duty with the Coast Guard. He is currently a senior executive in the Department of Defense, and most recently served as Reserve Chief of Staff and Senior Reserve Officer, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. In his new role, Green will head a team that includes members with cyber security and resilience skills from the DHS Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Navy, and other government agencies and as well as corporate organization in finance, banking, and other cyber-related fields. The CGRU will primarily work out of Fort Meade, where U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency (NSA) are located, assisting in threat assessment and protecting systems and networks in addition to other US Cyber Command Joint Directorates.
1941 CPT has 39 billets and will be led by Lt. Cmdr. Nathaniel Toll. Toll previously served at Coast Guard Cyber, where he led the stand up of 1790 CPT, 2013 CPTs and also led the Coast Guard’s enterprise cybersecurity operations center. Toll transitioned from active duty to the reserves in 2022 to help establish 1941 CPT and become a cybersecurity consultant in private industry. A number of 1941 CPT reserve members formerly served on active duty at Coast Guard Cyber and in their civilian capacity are cybersecurity professionals at DHS CISA, federal law enforcement agents, civilians and contractors in the DoD & Intelligence Community, and professionals in large technology organizations, financial institutions and U.S. critical infrastructure operators.
1941 CPT will initially augment and stand ready for recall to assist the Coast Guard’s three active duty CPTs in threat hunting, incident response and assessments to secure the MTS.
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