During a recent address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that the Coast Guard is undergoing its most significant readiness crisis since World War II. As part of a larger overhaul strategy, Noem announced a comprehensive plan to expand the service by 15,000 personnel by the close of the 2028 fiscal year. This initiative not only seeks to grow the military workforce but also proposes a 25% reduction in admirals, a boost in recruiting efforts, and an expansion of the fleet, including critical icebreakers for Arctic missions.
Addressing the 256 graduating cadets who were commissioned as officers in New London, Connecticut, Noem described this as the inception of a pivotal period for the Coast Guard. She highlighted serious manpower shortages and outdated equipment, sharing an encounter with President Donald Trump in which she frankly communicated the extensive needs of the service.
Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, who was named the next commandant of the Coast Guard, underscored the immense transformation anticipated under the administration’s newly launched modernization initiative dubbed Force Design 2028. This plan lays the groundwork for appointing a civilian leader to steer the service, aligning it with the command structures of other military branches.
The envisaged civilian post, dubbed Coast Guard Service Secretary, would serve as an advocate for a force currently impacted by limited investment and strategic oversight. This role, requiring presidential nomination and Senate confirmation, would introduce a level of accountability paralleling that of other military services, pending congressional approval.
In supporting this initiative, a bill put forth by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell, who chairs the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, argues for this dedicated secretarial position. The Coast Guard, currently under the domain of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since its transfer from the Department of Transportation in 2003, could benefit from an overhaul of its organizational structure and improved advocacy.
The restructuring plan aims to make the Coast Guard a more agile and efficient entity, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and streamlining the acquisition of essential assets like cutters and icebreakers. It proposes the elimination of a dozen admirals to foster more effective decision-making across the ranks.
The graduates responded positively to these reforms, with Cadet Veronica Krystofik, the Class of 2025’s Distinguished Graduate, celebrating the monumental changes as a critical shift. She expressed confidence in her class’s ability to rise to the new challenges.
Accompanying the graduation ceremony were more than 200 protesters gathered near the academy, voicing opposition to Secretary Noem’s immigration policies with placards reading “Kristi Noem Go Home,” further urging the Coast Guard’s defiance in the face of questioned orders related to immigration enforcement.