Gear and Grit Blog View

The Coast Guard recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Sept. 11, 2024

Suicide Prevention Month Webinar Recording: Mental Health & Your Security Clearance

WASHINGTON, DC — On 3 Sep 2024, HSWL's Behavioral Health Services Division kicked off Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and invited DCMS-34 to host a webinar on “Mental Health and Your Security Clearance.”

A Coast Guard Gunners Mate conducts an Ordnance Safety Inspection via a table with real-time automation.

Sept. 6, 2024

GMs Effecting Positive Change throughout the Coast Guard

NORFOLK, VA — Have you ever been out in the field and gotten frustrated with a Coast Guard process? We’ve all been there. Hear how a small group of Coast Guard GMs and CWOs in FORCECOM found themselves asking that same question and decided to take action.

ASOFR LT Michael Gonzalez conducting daily rounds with the MV Dali in the background. The team went from barge to barge building rapport with the multiple contractors and oversaw safety for the entire operation as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator.

Sept. 6, 2024

Key Bridge Response 2024: An Inside Look from Three Response Team Members

BALTIMORE, MD — In the early hours of 26 March 2024, Merchant Vessel Dali, a 984-foot containership collided with the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, which resulted in eight persons in the water, severe damage and grounding of the vessel, catastrophic collapse of the bridge into the Patapsco River, and complete obstruction of the federal navigational channel. Get an inside look from three Coast Guard members who responded to the incident.

A blue, red, and gold seal for the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support.

Aug. 19, 2024

Introducing the 2024 Mission Support Leadership Team

WASHINGTON, DC — Introducing the 2024 Mission Support Leadership Team

Aug. 16, 2024

FORCECOM Bright Spot: AI for Living Marine Resources

NORFOLK, VA — The Northeast Regional Fisheries Training Center (NRFTC), Coast Guard Academy (CGA), and MIT Lincoln Laboratories (MIT LL) are partnering to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Automation, and Data Analytics into Living Marine Resources (LMR) operations.

July 16, 2024

Enterprise Victim Advocate Travels to Miami to Listen

WASHINGTON, DC — Capt. Laura Collins, U.S. Coast Guard, retired, the Service’s Enterprise Victim Advocate (EVA), traveled to Air Station Miami to connect with stakeholders to hear a wide range of viewpoints. Her role is to advance efforts to address sexual assault and sexual harassment issues within the workforce, and ensure the Service supports victims of harmful behaviors.

Among the attendees at the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Honorary Acquisition Program Management Awards are, from left: Debra Cox, executive director of the DHS Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management; Rear Adm. Chad Jacoby, Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer; and Joseph Wawro, executive director of the DHS Joint Requirements Council. DHS photo.

July 5, 2024

Coast Guard acquisition excellence honored at DHS awards ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC — Six members of the Coast Guard workforce were honored for superior performance during fiscal year 2023 with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Honorary Acquisition Program Management Awards. The annual awards recognize individuals and teams who have demonstrated the highest level of professional excellence in attaining acquisition program success.

Two hands covered in world map on sky background

July 5, 2024

Deckplate Diplomats Part I: Training Center Yorktown’s International Mobile Training Branch

TRACEN Yorktown, Yorktown, Va. — So, your Coast Guard needs detailed, quality training. Who you gonna call? For the U.S. Coast Guard’s partner nations, that’s when you call Training Center Yorktown’s Mobile Training Branch (MTB). The MTB dispatches Mobile Training Teams (MTT) packed with Coast Guard subject matter experts internationally to export the U.S. Coast Guard’s training curriculum.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton’s (WMSL 753) qualified Officer of the Deck boatswain’s mates pose for a photo with Hamilton’s commanding officer, Capt. Justin Carter, middle, while at sea in Eastern Pacific, March 13, 2024. Hamilton recently had 13 crewmembers qualified as underway OODs, four of whom were boatswain's mates (BM). Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Voutour, Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Anderson, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Kass, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Figueroa earned their qualification letters, completing an advancement requirement for Chief Petty Officer. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by LTJG Ray Corniel)

June 25, 2024

The Training Path from Coxswain to Conn

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton (WMSL 753) — Ryan Kass began his Coast Guard career as a seaman assigned to CGC Hamilton in 2019. He had his sights set high and swiftly began working on his various qualifications. But a big cutter means big responsibility – and plenty of critical training.

A trophy in the center of a star and ribbon graphic.

June 25, 2024

Bravo Zulu: 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Security Enterprise Professional Awards

WASHINGTON, DC — Congratulation to the U.S. Coast Guard winners of the 2023 DHS Security Enterprise Professional Awards!