CG Learning The Ropes

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 staff tours include Assistant Chief, Search & Rescue for the Atlantic Area and Executive Assistant for Coast Guard Operations Policy and Capability at Headquarters following 9-11.

During his career, he traveled to 74 different countries and sailed with the 2nd Fleet training numerous Navy boarding teams in route Desert Storm. He deployed to Operations SNOW CAP, HAWKEYE, DESERT SHILED, Embargo of Bosnia, ABLE VIGIL, ABLE MANNER, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, SHADOW GAME, BURNT FROST, IRAQI FREEDOM & ENDURING FREEDOM.  Career highlights include leading a White House ordered armed landing party amidst gunfire to rescue 77 tourists barricaded on the Island of St. Croix, the capture of drug cartel leadership on America and Mexico’s Most Wanted list, and the interdiction of nearly 1,000 migrants at sea.  During his command tours and as a boarding officer, he made over 60 narcotics seizures that included the first drug laden semi-submersible, the first liquid cocaine load, and at the time, the largest maritime bust in history.  In just three years, he commanded a San Diego based unit that seized over 130 tons of cocaine worth $3.2 Billion.  In 2008, he also served as the Chief of Operations for the 15 agency response to a de-orbiting U.S. reconnaissance satellite, which would be shot down by the U. S. Navy over the Pacific.  His final active duty assignment was Chief, Future Operations for Atlantic Area where he was responsible for planning, managing resources, and providing oversight of all U.S. Coast Guard operational missions spanning from the Rocky Mountains east to the India/Pakistan Border. Following his retirement from active duty in May 2013, he has served as a civilian training specialist and course administrator for the Sector Commander, Department Head and International courses.

Also, be sure to pick up a copy of his book titled: "From Eagle to Eagle: When Opportunity Knocks: Kick the Door Down" 

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Mark-Sherwood-Ogle/dp/1736660101"

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 holds his Joint Professional Military Education certificate from Air University. He was an MIT Seminar XXI National Security Fellow in 2018-2019.

A career icebreaker sailor, POLAR STAR is CAPT Woityra’s second command, and fourth Polar Icebreaking tour. He has spent more than a decade breaking ice at sea. Prior to assuming command of POLAR STAR in 2020, he served as Executive Officer on board. He also led CGC HEALY on five Arctic research missions, including her historic 2015 expedition to the North Pole, the first time an unaccompanied U.S. surface vessel had reached the top of the world. He served for three years as Commanding Officer of CGC NEAH BAY in Cleveland OH. While commanding NEAH BAY, he established a cooperative program with Bowling Green State University that led to his crew earning more than 60 college credits for participating in a lake sampling partnership. He served as Executive Officer on CGC THUNDER BAY out of Rockland ME and previously on POLAR STAR as Marine Science Officer, where he made one Antarctic and two Arctic deployments. He also served as a research fellow on the Arctic 100 Northwest Passage expedition aboard the Finnish icebreaker NORDICA.

Captain Woityra’s shore assignments include Program Manager for Coast Guard icebreaking, where he set priorities establishing where, when, and why the Coast Guard breaks ice. He also served at the International Ice Patrol, tracking North Atlantic icebergs over the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and two years as Coast Guard Attaché to Malta, where he advised the U.S. Ambassador and Armed Forces of Malta on maritime concerns and taught Search and Rescue Coordinator classes at the Maritime Safety and Security Training Centre.

Captain Woityra’s personal awards include the Defense and Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, and various other decorations. He is a permanent Cutterman and has also earned the Aviation Mission Specialist and Navy Craftmaster designations. He is a Project Management Professional, LEED Accredited Professional, and American Society for Quality Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence. He holds his USCG Merchant Mariner Master’s license and is certified as a Level II Ice Navigator. He is admitted as a National Fellow of The Explorers Club and an Associate Fellow of The Nautical Institute.

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Woityra [Why-TIER-uh]

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.

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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 https://www.merrillcenter.sais-jhu.edu/nsspp

MIT Seminar XXI - https://semxxi.mit.edu/

Council on Foreign Relations Term Fellowship - https://www.cfr.org/

German Marshall Fund Transatlantic Fellowship  - https://www.gmfus.org/transatlantic-leadership-initiatives/marshall-memorial-fellowship

German Marshall Fund Young Strategists Forum - https://www.gmfus.org/forum/young-strategists-forum

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 helicopters during earlier tours in California, Florida, and Oregon.

At the US Department of Defense, Jon also served as Strategic Policy Advisor to the Four-Star General responsible for military operations in the U.S. Central Command region which included the Middle East, Levant, Central Asian States, and Horn of Africa. Moreover, he was Director of Port/Cargo Security on the White House staff.

Jon holds an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), M.S. in Management from Purdue University, and B.S. from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where he served as the Regimental Commander. Jon is a Distinguished Graduate from U.S. Naval Pilot Training in Pensacola, Florida, and a 2013 alumnus of Harvard University’s U.S.-Russia Security Program. Jon is a former International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, former Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and a former White House Fellow.

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 conversation was Rudy Giuliani, not Robert DeNiro.

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 in Electrical Engineering.

Upon commissioning, he served as a Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC MUNRO (WHEC-724) home ported in Alameda, CA. He subsequently served as Officer-in-Charge LEDET (Law Enforcement Detachment) 5D, TACLET (Tactical Law Enforcement Team) North in Baltimore, MD, where he deployed onboard US Navy and Allied warships throughout the Caribbean and to the Persian Gulf, leading boarding teams enforcing counter-drug laws and the UN embargo of Iraq. Upon departing TACLET he commenced a tour of duty as Deputy, Systems Training Branch at C2CEN (Command and Control Communications Center), Portsmouth, VA. Upon his departure, he assumed duties as the Operations Officer aboard USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719) home ported in Alameda, CA. While assigned to BOUTWELL he deployed to Iraq for both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in 2003. Remaining in California, he assumed command of USCGC EDISTO (WPB-1313), San Diego, CA where he was responsible for patrolling the Southern Coast of California and Central America in support of the Coast Guard’s Counter-Drug, Migrant Interdiction, and Search and Rescue missions. Upon departure from EDISTO, he was assigned to the Office of Strategic Analysis (the Coast Guard’s “Think Tank”), at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC where he worked to identify and analyze significant emerging geopolitical, economic, and environmental issues and trends, seeking to understand their potential strategic impact on the U.S. Coast Guard. Also while in DC, he served as Social Aide to The President of the United States under Presidents George W. Bush and Barrack Obama. Upon departing DC, he again returned to California to serve as the Executive Officer aboard USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719) in Alameda, CA. In July of 2011 he assumed duties as the Commanding Officer of USCGC DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624), where he was the “Guardian of the Gulf.” In June 2013, he departed DAUNTLESS for his final tour as the Director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Motion Picture and Television Office (MOPIC) in Los Angeles, CA. MOPIC’s mission is to enhance public awareness and understanding of the U. S. Coast Guard, its people, and its missions through a cooperative effort with the entertainment industry. Due to service needs, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer of USCGC STEADFAST (WMEC-623) from March – August 2015, and returned to MOPIC in August of 2015.

Attending Old Dominion University, he was awarded a Masters of Engineering Management. He is also licensed as a Master of Vessels up to 100 Tons in the Merchant Marine.

CAPT (Ret.) Pruitt’s military awards include the Maritime Service Medal, Four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, U. S. Coast Guard and U. S. Navy Achievement Medals, Three Iraq Campaign Medals, Permanent Cutterman designation, Tactical Law Enforcement designation, and several other personal and service awards. CAPT (RET.)  Pruitt is also the recipient of the NAACP Roy G. Wilkins renowned service award and the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Modern Day Technology Leader award.

He currently works in the entertainment industry as a producer and a military consultant on projects including scripted and reality TV, documentaries, video games, and cinema for companies including 20th Century Fox, Film Nation, Original Productions, Playtone, and Ubisoft among many others. Additionally, he is a Senior Shiphandling Instructor for the US Navy in Yokosuka, Japan.

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, reaching the rank of Captain. Her final assignment was Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach where she coordinated maritime operations in an area of responsibility stretching more than 350 miles along the southern California coast, out to 200 miles offshore, including the nation’s largest and most economically vital port complex. She facilitated the daily flow of over $2 billion in cargo in the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Hueneme.

Charlene served in a variety of operational and staff assignments in Virginia, Connecticut, Washington DC, North Carolina, and California. During her career she had Command of three operational units and was one of the first women to Command a Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team where she and her Team completed a 7-month deployment to Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and responded to the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010. In 2015-2016, Charlene served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Refugio Oil Spill, the largest oil spill in Santa Barbara County in 25 years. She directed the response of over 1,300 personnel to oversee the clean-up of 25,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the coastline in a highly environmentally and politically sensitive area.

Her staff tours include Instructor, Officer Candidate School and two tours in Officer Personnel Management. She also served as a Military Executive Fellow at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA.

Charlene is originally from Fort Wingate, New Mexico. She is a 1989 graduate of the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, RI and graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT in 1993 with a B.S. in Management. She received her M.S. in Management (HRM) from Florida Institute of Technology and earned her Human Resources Certificate from George Mason University. Her numerous personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and USCG Captain Stratton Inspirational Leadership Award.

She is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Military Veterans Advisory Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association and is an active member of Team Rubicon (Veterans Disaster Response Organization). She is an avid runner and has completed over 25 marathons.

Charlene resides in Huntington Beach, CA and is married to Anna Cruz, a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and senior manager at Johnson & Johnson Company.

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 expert in national security, in complex adaptive leadership, and in crisis leadership and management. His transformation of the TSA led to his being named one of the 25 most influential business travel executives of 2016 by Business Travel News.

He is President of Neffenger Consulting, LLC, an independent consulting firm; is Chairman of the U.S. Board of Directors for Smartmatic Corporation, the world’s largest election security technology company; serves on numerous advisory boards; is a member of the Baldwin Wallace University Board of Trustees; holds an MPA from Harvard University; an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College; an MA in Business Management from Central Michigan University, and a BA from Baldwin Wallace University. He is a twotime recipient of the Department of Homeland Security’s Distinguished Service Medal and is a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute, and a Distinguished Fellow and Instructor in Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, a joint venture of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School.

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