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USCG To Be More Aggressive Executing Trump’s Priorities

On May 21, 2025 Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem, addressed the cadets at U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.  She said she will pursue the legislation to establish a Coast Guard Service Secretary within the Department of Homeland Security. She said this would correct a historical institutional disadvantage that has left it less ready to protect the American people. 

“A Secretary of the Coast Guard will restore its readiness and strategic direction and fully align the Service to execute the President’s priorities,” said DHS Secretary Noem. 

To go into more detail the USCG has outlined those new programs on its website.  They are--

Military

People

The Coast Guard is not right-sized for its missions. The Service will grow its military workforce by at least 15,000 members by the end of Fiscal Year 2028. The Service will also fix the mismatched balance across grade levels and specialties by moving the Coast Guard away from the outdated and ineffective 50-year-old pyramid workforce structure.

Key Initiatives: 

  • Transform the workforce into a stronger, more ready and capable fighting force.
  • Restoring a skilled and ready enlisted workforce.
  • Invest in future officer leaders.
  • Revitalize the Coast Guard Reserve.
  • Remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for the civilian workforce.

USCG and helicopter

Organization

Creating a Secretary of the Coast Guard presents an opportunity to reform the Service’s organizational structure to become more efficient, enabling a leaner, more agile, and strategically focused Headquarters. FD2028 initiatives will streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and empower decision-making at all levels.

Key Initiatives:

  • Design the future Coast Guard force to win.
  • Create Program Executive Offices that fully integrate capabilities.
  • Establish a Deployable Specialized Forces command.
  • Strengthen Coast Guard Cyber Command.
  • Transfer operational and service-delivery functions out of Coast Guard Headquarters.
  • Establish a Director of Staff to streamline decision-making.

USCG vessel

Contracting and Acquisition

The Service will streamline its contracting and acquisitions (C&A) to respond to emerging threats. This historic opportunity for significant investment to renew the Coast Guard drives the imperative for the Service to be ready to successfully execute those investments. The Secretary of the Coast Guard will be responsible for senior acquisition decisions and direction to leverage collaboration with industry and the industrial base and ensure performance.

Key Initiatives: 

  • Streamline contracting approvals. 
  • Outsource procurement activity to increase efficiency. 
  • Establish single points of accountability. 

Person with a drone

Technology

The Coast Guard will become a leader within the military services and DHS for adoption and use of advanced technology, human-machine teaming, and data to conduct operations, support, and enterprise functions. Coast Guard forces will lead the way in rapid identification, integration, and use of technology to improve operations and deliver mission results.

Key Initiatives: 

  • Create a Coastal Sentinel next generation maritime surveillance capability.
  • Support a revitalized U.S. maritime industry.
  • Support workforce growth with Human Resources information technology.
  • Deliver a modern, effective logistics system.
  • Establish a Rapid Response Prototype Team.