Congratulations to MK3 Bennette Swanson of Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, the Coast Guard’s 2024 Enlisted Person of the Year – Active Duty, and ME2 Joseph Williams, of Port Security Unit (PSU) 309, the Coast Guard’s 2024 Enlisted Person of the Year - Reserve Component!
The Coast Guard will honor – AND meritoriously advance – MK3 Swanson and ME2 Williams on April 30, 2025, in Washington, DC.
Petty Officers Swanson and Williams each showed incredible proficiency in craft, inspiring ability to make those around them better, a truly selfless spirit of volunteerism, and a drive to pursue their own educational goals.
MK3 Bennette Swanson
Having started year serving at Station St. Ignace, Michigan, MK3 Swanson volunteered to transfer early to ANT Sault Ste Marie to help alleviate a challenging transfer season. Within 90 days of reporting, he earned all required qualifications including. He serves as the unit’s Competent Person for Structure Climbing, Rescuer and Trainer — a key and hefty responsibility to inspect all climbing gear and conduct a thorough risk assessment prior to any climbing. This is particularly crucial during operations during the winter months when the structures are surrounded by feet of snow and ice.
PO Swanson’s bias for action was not restricted to on duty hours. He happened across a vehicle collision one day driving home from the gym. Discovering an unconscious person in the locked vehicle, he broke the rear window, entered the car, and provided initial first aid and a calming presence when she regained consciousness until emergency medical services arrived. In true humble Coastie fashion, PO Swanson did not tell anyone about the incident until the unit received a letter from the local fire chief detailing his bravery and thanking the Coast Guard.
ME2 Joseph Williams
PO Williams is permanently assigned as a Shoreside Security Division Fire Team Member at PSU 309 in Port Clinton, Ohio. He deployed to support the Maritime Expeditionary and Security Group ONE Detachment in Guam for nine-months as part of the first Coast Guard Embarked Security Team mission in the SEVENTH Fleet. While deployed, he attended the U.S. Navy Embarked Security Combat Skills Course and earned the title of Honor Graduate – outperforming all his Department of Defense counterparts. ME2 Williams also led in his off time while deployed by coordinating a beach cleanup, fundraising at a gala to support single mothers, and volunteering with the Salvation Army.
Back at PSU 309, he sponsored six newly reported members and trained 38 members on embarked security best practices and weapons safety and operations. ME2 Williams filled out of rating roles by volunteering in the Supply Division to manage the mission essential protective equipment program, outfitting all members of PSU 309 and procuring over $100,000 in needed gear. He also jumped in to serve as Authorizing Official and aided 12 members recoup a total of over $20,000 in travel expenses.
Honorable Mention
Congratulations to the following members for earning the title of 2024 EPOY at the District level:
- MK2 Garrison Reed, Station Southwest Harbor
- EM1 Matthew Lotito, PSU 301
- MK1 Efren Ortiz-Colon, Station Portsmouth
- ME1 Jaime Cornejo, Training Center Cape May
- MK1 Bradley Fox, CGC Resolute
- BM1 Dillon Durando, Station Ft. Lauderdale
- SK1 Cody Scott, CGC Reliance
- YN1 Julia Skrabacz, Sector Upper Mississippi River
- MK1 Christian Sena, MSRT-W
- BM1 Zachary Dominquez, Station Channel Islands
- BM1 Joshua Tangermann, CGC Polar Star
- CS1 Blake Baldwin, Base Seattle
- BM1 Sydney Adams, Station Honolulu
- IT3 James Barnes, Base Honolulu
- AMT3 Connor Beuthin, Air Station Kodiak
- IS1 Thea Ritter, Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic
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