When the mission calls, some stories are too extraordinary to stay classified. In this episode, we sit down with CDR Michael Bennett, USCG (Ret.), founder of the website Guardian Spies and one of the leading voices in modern Coast Guard intelligence. From the daring missions of OSS maritime units in World War II to today’s intelligence-driven boat forces, CDR Bennett unpacks a hidden history of small-boat capability in WWII.

Listeners will hear how lessons from the Coast Guard’s earliest intelligence operators, frogmen, and boat crews helped form the tactics, planning, and leadership decisions that still shape missions across Services today. Whether it’s understanding the human element of intelligence, leveraging small crews for outsized impact, or leading in the unknown, this conversation connects the dots between past and present in a way that hits home. It’s more than history. It’s a call to see the mission differently and to understand that sometimes the smallest boats carry the biggest weight in the fight. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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This episode welcomes CDR Noel Johnson, Chief of the 2-side (CG-7312) in the Office of Boat Forces, for a deep dive into the Coast Guard’s small boat community. From managing fleet readiness to tackling the challenges behind the scenes, CDR Johnson offers valuable perspective on how policy decisions translate into operational capability. He shares updates relevant to units across the service, highlights successes that keep the mission moving forward, and provides insights useful for anyone tracking the evolution of the small boat fleet. A candid conversation offering listeners a front-row seat into the work shaping today’s Boat Forces. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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In this episode, CDR Leo Danaher (CG-7311) walks us through his firsthand experience with an OIC screening panel. He shares invaluable advice on strengthening your panel package, from highlighting mission-aligned competencies to framing leadership accomplishments effectively. CDR Danaher ultimately unpacks the OIC panel process, offering clarity on what review panels expect and common pitfalls to avoid. He also offers guidance for mentors and supervisors: encouraging early preparation and thoughtful attention to evals. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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In this episode, CAPT Matthew Fine offers a flyover of CG-741’s role in connecting with Boat Forces programs. From ensuring readiness through data-driven training initiatives to deepening reserve integration under the Shore Forces Reserve Management Plan, CAPT Fine explains how CG-741 is the connective tissue behind every SAR case, flood response, and patrol. He tackles the operational impact of staffing shifts, challenges in field-to-HQ communication, and the need for greater situational awareness at the deck-plate level. Listeners will walk away with a clearer view of how Shore Forces shapes daily missions and why understanding the “why” behind tasking is critical to mission success. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard or the Office of BoatForces.

We shift the lens from deck-plate operations to the broader national security picture. Drawing from a recent Atlantic Council report, we explore how Coast Guard missions, especially those in Boat Forces, fit into evolving defense strategies shaped by global competition, emerging threats, and interagency cooperation. It’s not a change in mission; it’s a change in awareness.

Whether you’re focused on ATON, SAR, or law enforcement, understanding how your work connects to strategic priorities matters more than ever. Join us as we unpack the ideas shaping the conversation at senior levels and why they matter to cutters, stations, and small boats alike.

Atlantic Council Panel: Strategic shifts: Insights from the Commission on the National Defense Strategy

COMDT Addresses Congress on National Security: (22) LIVE: US Coast Guard's Addresses Congress on National Security! - YouTube

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Today we’re breaking down how workforce transparency and talent management shape your career, and how they might tie into Force Design 28. 

We unpack the RAND report Workforce 2040: Better Management Through Transparency and explore its suggestions for assignment fairness, operational flexibility, and career clarity. 

From deck-plate experience to data-driven decisions, we ask: are we rowing in the same direction? Or drifting apart? This episode looks at how structure and people must align to keep the Coast Guard relevant and ready.

Read the RAND report here: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE358.html

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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This week we sit down with Mr. Dave Shepard from the Office of Boat Forces, a key figure behind some of the Coast Guard’s most iconic platforms. From the early days of the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat to the development of the Response Boat–Medium, Mr. Shepard shares insights on how these boats came to define modern missions. We also get a look at what’s ahead for his portfolio as the Office of Boat Forces continues shaping the future of operations. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever trusted their life to hulls, seaworthiness, and smart design. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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We're joined by LT Chris Fuentes from the Office of Boat Forces 1-Side to discuss Electronic Asset Logbook (EAL). LT provides insight on the system’s role in capturing operational data, new changes to the way we capture information, and highlights some upcoming training opportunities. EAL, part of the Coast Guard’s broader data environment that includes OORS, AOPS, ALMIS, and MISLE, helps record mission activity vital for planning, resourcing, and staffing. When data isn’t captured digitally, the burden falls on manual surveys and anecdotal reports. This episode highlights EAL’s role in bridging that gap and ensuring operational status is accurately documented. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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We dive into the critical role of medical readiness in Coast Guard small boat operations. From heat casualties to trauma care in rough seas, we explore how EMT skills keep missions on track and save lives. We discuss medical gear, improvisation, and what crews can do to enhance their medical readiness capability. Our guest, HS1 Vinny Carracio of the White House Medical Staff, joins us to share insights from his recent role in the Coast Guard medical world. This one’s all about readiness when every second counts. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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In this episode, we sit down with CDR Leo Danaher from CG-7311 to gain sharp, firsthand insight into the evolving landscape of Coast Guard operations. With a wealth of experience from recent tours, CDR Danaher reflects on key lessons learned, the operational tempo facing Boat Forces today, and how strategic decisions at the program level ripple down to the deckplate. 

From policy shifts and resourcing realities to readiness challenges and leadership takeaways, this conversation is packed with actionable insight for coxswains, officers-in-charge, and aspiring leaders alike. 

This is an Unofficial Podcast. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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