Born in Chapel Hill, NC, CAPT(Ret.) Mark Ogle graduated the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1986 and the Naval War College in 2007. He has commanded 4 units: The Cutter KEY LARGO, Group Eastern Shore, PACTACLET and Sector Hampton Roads, now known as Sector Virginia.  Other field units include service as the first Operations Chief for the Deployable Operations Group, Chief of the Coast Guard’s International Training Team, tours aboard Cutters VALIANT and VASHON, and Port Security Unit 305.  His...

Check out what tools CAPT Woityra has found most helpful for his growth and development as a leader throughout his distinguished career.

Hailing from Rochester NY, Captain Woityra completed a 2018 Fulbright Scholarship studying icebreakers in Finland. He is a Coast Guard Academy graduate, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Advanced degrees include a Master of Science in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, an MBA from Chancellor University, and an Advanced Diploma in Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute. He is a graduate of the Joint Military Attaché School and...

One of the Coast Guard's foremost experts on arctic operations, policy and what life is really like in the red hull fleet. Captain William Woityra, Commanding Officer of the USCGC POLAR STAR (WAGB 10), shares a little bit about his most memorable deployment in this brief snippet. Don't forget to tune in for the full episode on September 1st!

Commander Higgins-Bloom shares one of the most significant leadership lessons she learned on her journey to becoming a senior officer. -------------------------------------------------------------- Fellowship Opportunities CNAS NextGen National Security Leaders Fellowship - https://www.cnas.org/next-generation-programs/nextgeneration White House Fellowship - https://whff.org/ SAIS Phillip Merrill National Security Scholars and Practitioners Seminar...

Commander Kate Higgins-Bloom is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Office of Emerging Policy (CG-DCO-X), where she works as a strategist and the Director of Project Evergreen, the U.S. Coast Guard’s strategic foresight initiative. Kate’s previous staff tours include White House Fellow and Acting Chief of Staff DHS Office of Legislative Affairs. As a White House fellow, Kate worked for First Lady Michelle Obama developing public-private partnerships in support of veteran employment, mental...

Did you know that the Coast Guard has Strategists and Strategic Planners? Curious about what they do and the important role they play? Here is a brief snippet from our discussion with CDR Kate Higgins-Bloom, who is currently assigned to the Coast Guard Office of Emerging Policy (CG-DCO-X) where she works as a strategist and the Director of Project Evergreen, the Coast Guard’s strategic foresight initiative. Tune in to the full episode on August 1st!

From the cutting room floor, you don't want to miss this one! Tune in to hear about those essential qualities that lead to success in the most demanding and high visibility special assignments. Also, CAPT (Ret.) Spaner is someone who was deep selected twice (to O-4 & O-5) and reordered once (to O-6) for promotion. Many believed his career arc would have surely resulted in selection as a flag officer --- hear why he chose to retire at O-6 instead.

Jon Spaner is a member of McKinsey & Co’s public sector practice based in Washington, DC. Previously, Jon served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years holding the rank of Captain (O-6) and leading two Major Commands at the US Department of Homeland Security: Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of San Diego, California, as well as Commanding Officer of Air Station Traverse City, Michigan. He has held senior pilot ratings in the C-130 aircraft and H-60/65...

CAPT (Ret.) Spaner not only offers us insight on the difference between sponsorship and mentorship, he also tells us what it actually looks like in execution in the fleet. You don't want to miss the full episode on July 1st!

In what made the cutting room floor from Episode 3, CAPT(Ret.) Pruitt discusses some factors that can truly distinguish your record/performance from your peers, the differences between commanding a major cutter vs. a patrol boat and the unfortunate time he had to temporarily relieve the skipper of another cutter. Below are some minor show note corrections from our discussion: 5:12 - CAPT(Ret.) Beverly Kelley was commissioned in 1976, not 1980. 46:24 - the individual referenced in the...

What a great discussion with CAPT (Ret.) Pruitt, he didn't pull any punches. Ever wondered what the TRUE keys to successful afloat leadership are? All Coasties (Cuttermen and non-Cuttermen) could gain something from this episode. Leadership 101! CAPT (Ret.) John W. Pruitt, III, retried from active duty after 23 years of distinguished service in the Coast Guard. He is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree...

Here is a snippet of CAPT (Ret.) Pruitt's thoughts on assuming Command and leading crews in a COVID-19 operating environment. You can read more about his background here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwpruitt/ Don't forget to tune in for the full episode on June 1st!

This is what made the cutting room floor of Episode 2.  Tune in to hear CAPT (Ret.) Downey's thoughts on the key ingredients and characteristics that make those special leaders, TRULY special.

Charlene Downey is the owner of SeeWorthy Coaching & Consulting, LLC where she serves as a Leadership & Life Coach partnering with individuals and teams to inspire inner strength, learning, and growth experiences designed to maximize potential and achieve positive, sustainable results. She also frequently speaks on Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion at various events and workshops. Charlene retired from U.S. Coast Guard in June 2018 after serving over 26 years on active duty,...

Please come back to listen to the full episode on May 1st! You don't want to miss our entire conversation.

Check out what made the cutting room floor from Episode 1!  Additional insight on why VADM Neffenger chose the Coast Guard over other options, his thoughts on the Coast Guard being viewed as a "meritocracy", Diversity & Inclusion, and how military executive experience translates into civilian executive experience.

Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger was appointed in 2015 by President Obama to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a position he held until January 2017. Prior to this he enjoyed a distinguished 34-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served as the 29th Vice Commandant, the head of Coast Guard global operations, and most notably as the Deputy National Incident Commander for the 2010 BP Gulf oil spill, the largest and most complex in U.S. history. He is a recognized...

It's finally here! Episode 1 posts on 1 April 2020, with bonus audio on 15 April 2020.