This week on Radio Boat Forces, we’re joined by a leader who knows exactly how to turn potential into performance, head coach of the Coast Guard Academy football team, Coach C.C. Grant.

Entering his sixth season with the Bears, Coach Grant brings nearly three decades of experience developing disciplined, mission-ready competitors. From leading a baseball program to 184 wins and an ECAC Championship appearance, to recruiting top-tier football talent, his track record speaks for itself. A former fullback and NCAA playoff competitor, he understands the grind firsthand.

Tune in as we break down leadership, strategy, and what it takes to build a cohesive, high-performing team, on the field and in the fleet.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

This episode takes us to Training Center Yorktown, where Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mates are forged through 14 weeks of hands-on training in seamanship, navigation, and small boat operations. Set near the historic grounds of Yorktown, where a decisive American Revolution victory helped shape the nation, today’s mission continues a legacy of readiness and service.

We sit down with BMCM Joey Bucciero, the Boatswain’s Mate “A” School Chief, to talk leadership, standards, and the responsibility of developing the next generation of coxswains. From classroom fundamentals to real-world scenarios, the conversation highlights what it takes to turn motivated students into confident Boat Forces professionals

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Operational demands don’t pause, and neither does the responsibility to lead when conditions shift without warning. This episode features Mr. Eric McNulty, Associate Director of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University and co-author of You're It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most. His work draws from major crises to explain how leaders think, decide, and act when stakes are highest. The conversation explores meta-leadership, decision-making under pressure, and lessons directly applicable to Coast Guard operations, where clarity, accountability, and judgment define outcomes when it matters most.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

What started as Coast Guard ribbing, “puddle pirates,” the tongue-in-cheek nickname for near-shore ops, became something else entirely. Puddle Pirate Gear celebrates that spirit with quality tees, hoodies, and accessories that honor Coast Guard legacy, resilience, and pride while poking fun at itself. Join us as we talk to the person behind the helm about building a brand that ships Coast Guard culture beyond the pier and how he is giving back to the Service.

Have a browse:

🔗 PuddlePirateGear.com

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.

Send us Fan Mail

In the Season 1 finale, we welcome the newest members of the Office of Boat Forces team: YN1 Katie Mayer and LTJG Tommy Vroman. We learn who they are, where they’ve been, and what drives their commitment to the fleet. Then we sit down with CG-731 Actual, CAPT Michael McCarthy, for a high-level look at his path to the Boat Forces helm and his perspective on the mission ahead. He offers a preview of themes, priorities, and conversations coming in Season 2, setting the stage for a deeper look into the people and ideas shaping Boat Forces readiness. Season 1 closes with reflection, momentum, and a clear course laid for what’s next ahead. Catch Ya-Soon.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Ever hear a BM say, “Why don’t we just use this boat I found online?” Turns out, there’s a bit more to it. In this episode, Lieutenant Kevin Flood from the Office of Boat Forces, Platform Management (2-Side) walks us through what really happens before a new Coast Guard platform ever hits the water. From identifying operational needs to testing designs, vetting performance, and navigating the maze of federal acquisition rules, he breaks down how each hull, bolt, and widget earns its place in the fleet. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from concept to platform, where engineering meets mission, and every decision keeps the service afloat.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

We sit down with BMCM Kraig McCellan and BMCM Thomas Hines, OICs of the Coast Guard construction tenders Cheyenne and Gasconade, based in St. Louis. Their stories bring to life the critical but often unsung role these river-borne platforms play in sustaining our nation’s infrastructure and economy.

Inland waterways carry hundreds of millions of tons of cargo annually, alleviating congestion on highways and reinforcing supply chain resilience. Maintaining safety and reliability on these waterways depends on a vast network of aids to navigation (ATON). That’s where Cheyenne and Gasconade come in.

In our conversation, The Master Chiefs walk us through life aboard their tenders: the technical capabilities and crew structure that allow them to repair, relocate, and maintain fixed and floating aids. They reflect on challenges and how they coordinate with multiple Coast Guard units, the Corps of Engineers, and shipping stakeholders.

At the heart of the episode lies leadership at the helm: how to guide a small, self-reliant crew through extended deployments, and the career arc and mindset needed to pursue command. The MCs share personal reflections, mentorship lessons, and advice for those preparing for OIC boards. This episode honors not only the technical mission but the human side of guiding America’s waterways.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

When two of the Coast Guard’s Specialty Force Managers sit down together, you know you’re in for more than just policy talk. In this episode, CWO Robert Birdwell and CWO Robert Devoy take us inside the world of warrant officers where experience meets leadership, and every decision can ripple through the fleet. From sea stories that sparked their call to the warrant ranks to candid insights on shaping the future of Boat Forces, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really means to manage a specialty at the national level. Did you know: the Coast Guard once had a W-1 rank, discontinued in 1975, making today’s CWO-2 the true starting line for every warrant.

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.

Send us Fan Mail