Trump Administration Wants Coast Guard to Have its Own Service Secretary
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has signed off on a revamp of the U.S. Coast Guard's management structure, starting with a long-discussed plan to hire a service secretary for USCG headquarters. The U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force all have civilian service secretaries appointed by the White House; the Coast Guard - part of the U.S. armed forces by statute, but housed within the Department of Homeland Security - lacks a secretary of its own, and is led by a uniformed officer.
"Now, more than ever, the American people need a strong and capable Coast Guard," said Noem in a statement. "The Coast Guard must not simply evolve. It must revolutionize how it functions and operates to ensure decisive advantage over adversaries. This requires a fundamental change."
The service's strategic plan, Force Design 2028, would fundamentally change its organizational structure. A new service secretary - reporting to Noem - would be accountable for decisionmaking, oversight and procurement, much like the Secretary of the Navy. This would require legislation, and a bill has been introduced by oversight committee leaders in the House.
The plan also envisions a leaner headquarters operation with a "more agile and strategically focused" design. New program executive offices (PEOs, a familiar Navy construct) would take a "systems-focused approach to acquisitions and sustainment." In contracting, the service secretary would have final authority over acquisitions, and the Coast Guard would take a more disciplined approach to the requirements process - a key driver of cost increases and delays in shipbuilding programs.
A previous memo from Homeland Security instructed the Coast Guard to reduce the ranks of its flag officers by one-quarter, or about 12 positions. Noem also reportedly canceled all six planned promotions for new one-star admirals proposed for this year.
The new force design plan also calls for areas of significant investment and expansion. It would attempt to fill the service's manpower gap with new incentives and policies for recruitment, aiming to grow its military workforce by 15,000 members by the end of FY2028.
The plan also calls for strengthening Coast Guard Cyber Command. Within the same department, Homeland Security's own Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - tasked with the same mission set for all nationwide enterprises - faces a proposed $490 million budget cut in FY2026 (along with undisclosed personnel reductions).
The Force Design 2028 plan also calls for investment in "Coastal Sentinel," an AI-driven sensor network to detect threats; new IT systems for vessel registration, mariner credentialing and HR functions; and a rapid-adoption team to pick up new technology faster.
Noem also confirmed that acting commandant Adm. Kevin E. Lunday will be nominated for Senate confirmation as the 28th commandant of the Coast Guard. He will continue in his acting capacity until confirmed.
“Now is the time for fundamental change," said Lunday. "Secretary Noem has said that we must reinvigorate the Coast Guard or risk strategic failure. I am honored to lead our Coast Guard men and women in this historic effort to renew the service for the future.”
Cal Maritime Gets New Superintendent as it Becomes Cal Poly Maritime
The California Maritime Academy is set to become Cal Poly Maritime in the merging of two of California’s academic institutions.
Cal Poly has appointed two new leaders to guide the future of the Cal Poly, Solano Campus and the Cal Poly Maritime Academy as part of its ongoing integration efforts. Dr. Corey Cook has been named vice president and chief executive officer of Cal Poly, Solano Campus, and Rear Admiral (Retired) Eric C. Jones, USCG, has been named superintendent of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy.
Cook and Jones were appointed to their new posts after a national search. Both roles are effective July 1, 2025.
“These new leaders will work closely with colleagues from across both campuses to advance our shared mission, champion Learn by Doing and deepen our commitment to maritime education and regional impact,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.
Cook’s and Jones’ appointments are the next step in an integration approved in November by the CSU Board of Trustees in order to build on Cal Poly’s strong track record in admissions and enrollment; unite two institutions that share a hands-on, immersive educational approach; and create administrative efficiencies.
“This is a significant step forward in a process that will enhance Learn by Doing, strengthen maritime education in our region and bolster student success for all current and future Cal Poly and Cal Poly Maritime Academy students,” said Michael J. Dumont, interim president of Cal Maritime.
As vice president and CEO, Cook will lead Cal Poly, Solano Campus, providing strategic vision, executive leadership, and operational oversight for all programs and initiatives. He is widely respected for his commitment to student success, inclusive innovation and institutional transformation.
Cook, who most recently served as executive vice president and provost at Saint Mary’s College of California, brings a strong record of academic planning, public engagement and transformational leadership in higher education. He previously served as founding dean of the School of Public Service at Boise State University and has led strategic planning, accreditation, and academic reform initiatives.
Cook holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a bachelor’s in political science and peace and conflict studies from UC Berkeley.
As superintendent, Jones will serve as the administrative leader and chief academic officer of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy. He will oversee the academy’s merchant mariner license-track programs, training vessels, the Corps of Cadets, port facilities, and other associated programs.
Jones joins Cal Poly following more than 35 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Coast Guard. His leadership roles included assistant commandant for human resources and commander of the Seventh District, where he oversaw operations across the Southeastern U.S. and Caribbean and managed workforce systems for over 57,000 members. He also coordinated multi-agency responses during Hurricanes Dorian, Irma, and Maria, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jones is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, holds a master’s degree from MIT, and is a fellow of Harvard’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and MIT’s Seminar XXI on Foreign Policy and International Relations.
Cal Poly and Cal Maritime will begin operating administratively as one university, Cal Poly, effective July 1, 2025, under the leadership of President Armstrong. Academic integration will continue over the following year, with the first Cal Poly Maritime Academy students enrolling in Fall 2026.
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
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