Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has charged the Coast Guard to “revolutionize how it functions and operates.”

Speaking at the Coast Guard Academy Commencement ceremony, Secretary Noem described her respect for the Service and committed to staunchly advocating for funding support. “Now, more than ever, the American people need a strong and capable Coast Guard,” said Noem. “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. Force Design 2028 (FD28) is the bold blueprint needed to drive urgent action and win.”

Secretary Noem’s Force Design 2028 Executive Report outlines her vision for the Coast Guard’s future.

The Secretary also announced President Trump’s nomination of ADM Kevin Lunday to serve as the 28th Commandant of the Coast Guard. ADM Lunday will continue serving as Acting Commandant until confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His previous assignments include 38th Vice Commandant, Atlantic Area Commander, Commander Fourteenth Coast Guard District, and Commander Coast Guard Cyber Command. ADM Lunday has served in a number of intelligence, legal, and operations assignments including command afloat and ashore. Stay tuned to MyCG for more on ADM Lunday and his Senior Leadership Team.

The 28th Commandant will lead the Coast Guard through a historic period of change. Under their leadership, we will establish the first Coast Guard Service Secretary and get FD28 underway. We will guide the transformation through Force Design 2028 will be guided by the following priorities:

1. A More Agile, Capable, Responsive Fighting Force: We will grow and develop the force structure and operating concepts required to execute and support Coast Guard missions.
2. Contracting and Acquisition Reform: We will reform Coast Guard acquisitions to rapidly deploy capabilities to execute our missions.
3. Deployment of Cutting-Edge Technology: We will leverage technology at every turn to enhance mission execution and support.
4. Relentless Effectiveness, Maximum Return on Investment: We will eliminate non-essential or obsolete programs.

FD28 is comprised of four major campaigns of People, Organizational Design, Technology, and Contracting and Acquisitions. For more on these campaigns, read more on MyCG and below. You can also check out this video.

People  

“The Coast Guard will restore its most important treasure—our Coast Guard men and women that make up the total workforce of Active Duty and Reserve military personnel, Civilian employees, and Auxiliary volunteers.” – FD28 Executive Report

We will:

• increase the workforce by 15,000 members,
• institute a physical fitness test for all military members,
• modernize and focus the Reserve Component to prepare for full-scale mobilization, and
• enhance access to medical care.

Organizational Design 

“FD28 initiatives will restore clear lines of responsibility, authority, and accountability in officials leading operations, support, and other enabling functions.” – FD28 Executive Report

We will:

• employ comprehensive lifecycle management approach for all assets – including a Program Executive Office (PEO) for Robotics and Autonomous Systems,
• align our Deployable Specialized Forces under one Area Commanders,
• strengthen Coast Guard Cyber Command, and
• move service-delivery functions out of Headquarters.

Technology  

“The Coast Guard will become a leader within the military services and DHS for adoption and use of advanced technology, human-machine teaming, and data to conduct operations, support, and enterprise functions.” – FD28 Executive Report

We will:

• develop an integrated sensor network for next generation maritime surveillance,
• create an information technology system for workforce management,
• deliver a logistics system needed to maintain more than 2,100 assets, and
• establish a team to identify weaknesses and invent prototypes that will help scope requirements for long-term solutions.

Contracting and Acquisitions 

“The historic opportunity for significant investment from the Administration and Congress to renew the Coast Guard drive the imperative for the Service to be ready to successfully execute those investments.” – FD28 Executive Report

We will:

• be disciplined in the requirement process to expedite acquisitions,
• outsource procurement activities to other government agencies,
• eliminate consensus-based decision-making to empower Program Executive Officers and increase accountability,
• streamline contract approvals,
• facilitate acquisition of icebreakers to provide assured U.S. access and presence to the polar regions, and
• facilitate acquisition of unmanned systems to enable operations wherever needed.

“Now is the time for fundamental change. Secretary Noem has said that we must reinvigorate the Coast Guard or risk strategic failure,” said ADM Lunday, “I am honored to lead our Coast Guard men and women in this historic effort to renew the Service for the future. Force Design 2028 is the Coast Guard’s way forward. Under the leadership of Secretary Noem, we are moving out today to aggressively implement this transformational change.”