Commandant of the Coast Guard highlights achievements, future efforts in 2020 address

Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, recently gave his annual State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston, S.C., highlighting the guard’s plans and accomplishments.

During the speech, Schultz outlined plans to expand the Coast Guard’s footprint in the Charleston area. These plans include potentially becoming a future home of the service’s Offshore Patrol Cutter, restoring hurricane-damaged facilities in South Carolina, and homeporting five National Security Cutters.

The Coast Guard has a nearly $2 billion shore infrastructure backlog.

The Coast Guard also plans to expand its permanent presence in the Indo-Pacific by working with its partner nations to address the security challenges and expeditionary capability.

Additionally, the Coast Guard plans to recruit and retain a highly-skilled workforce through several initiatives.

“Talent management is both our most pressing challenge and our greatest opportunity,” Schultz said. “That is why I believe wholesale investment will enable our talented people to carry out their missions across the maritime domain today and tomorrow.”

Schultz also discussed a plan to update the 1990s-era hardware, software, and analytics through initiatives that improve cutter connectivity, modernize the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s information technology capabilities, and address cybersecurity.

Two service members were given promotions during the speech, and Schultz also recognized many others for stellar performance.