This week, we dive into Hurricane Season 2025 with insights from designated Coast Guard flood response members preparing to meet the potential mission head-on. We recap a recent multi-unit training exercise featuring expert partners from SPEC Rescue International and spotlight how these collaborations sharpen operational readiness.

Special guests Mr. Rick Mach, Mrs. Brook Serbu, and Mrs. Angie Vallier provide a mission overview for the upcoming season, outlining expectations, challenges, and key takeaways for FY25. Whether you're in the field or behind the scenes, this episode delivers the situational awareness and motivation needed as the Coast Guard stands ready for storm response.

For visual training reference: https://youtu.be/i-Z180iaaLA?si=6UsGWi7EMbr1QYuX

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.

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In this episode, we explore the future of marine propulsion with Dr. Michael Kass from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Kass shares his expertise on alternative fuels, electrification, and the practical challenges of integrating new technologies into Coast Guard operations. We discuss fuel efficiency, the viability of electric and hybrid systems, and the potential benefits of quieter, more sustainable vessels.

We then visit Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Eufaula, located on the scenic Lake Eufaula in southeastern Alabama. Officer in Charge, BMC Addam Lupo and his crew provide insights into their daily operations, maintaining crucial navigation aids on the Chattahoochee River. Their work ensures safe passage for both commercial and recreational vessels in this vital waterway.

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In this episode, we sit down with VADM William "Dean" Lee, a distinguished Coast Guard leader whose 36-year career culminated as Commander of Atlantic Area. Known not just for his command over vast operations but for his deep commitment to servant leadership, Admiral Lee shares timeless insights on trust, humility, and the evolving nature of leadership. From his earlier days in Boat Forces to his reflections on decision-making at the highest levels, he offers hard-earned lessons for leaders at every rank. Whether you’re new to command or sharpening your leadership style, this candid conversation offers wisdom that truly resonates.

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.

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Ever finish a patrol alert but later realize you don’t remember half of it? That’s not just exhaustion; it’s fatigue silently sabotaging your performance. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience of fatigue with Dr. Allison Brager, U.S. Army officer and sleep expert, who breaks down how chronic sleep disruption rewires our brains, especially in high-stakes roles like SAR. We tackle sleep fragmentation, SAR tones, and whether “banking” sleep actually works. From brain fog to biometrics, we explore what it means to be “mission-ready” when your mind’s still on the pillow. Plus, LT Chris Fuentes joins us with updates on new PFT standards, recognition programs, and what’s next from the 1-side (CG-7311).

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.

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CAPT Jason Aleksak (CG-731) presses send one last time, marking the end of a chapter few get to write, and even fewer reflect on publicly. In this episode, he unpacks what it’s like to lead in ambiguity, make decisions with consequences miles away, and carry the weight of change with steady intention. From early surprises to lessons that rewrote his playbook, CAPT Aleksak offers a raw, thoughtful look at leadership under pressure.

Whether you're at the helm of a unit or just stepping into your first leadership role, this conversation offers insights that go beyond billets and rank. It’s a reflection on clarity, conviction, and the kind of deliberate leadership that leaves a lasting mark.

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.

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Boat Forces once ran on heart and hustle...but lacked harmony. Then came Captain Dana Goward, a leader who didn’t just tweak the system, he rewired it. In this episode, we unpack how he turned scattered practices into a unified identity, applying aviation discipline to maritime grit. Recognition programs got teeth. Culture got a voice. Boat Forces became more than a label; it became a legacy. We talk about friction, transformation, and the enduring ideas he left behind. For anyone serving today, this is the origin story of the structure you now stand on, and the rhythm that still guides it.

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.

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This episode dives into the future of maritime operations—both on the water and in the digital domain. First, we speak with Dor Raviv, Co-Founder and CTO of Orca AI, about how their situational awareness platform is helping commercial vessels avoid collisions, cut fuel use, and make smarter decisions through real-time data. In our second segment, ENS Thomas Madden joins us to discuss how his experience as a Boatswain’s Mate shaped his transition into the Coast Guard’s cyber world.

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.

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Discover the hidden forces shaping the waves beneath your vessel in this episode. Dr. Andrew Muller from the U.S. Naval Academy joins us to explore how nearshore hydrodynamics influence wave behavior, from sandbars and reef ridges to turbulent shoals and steep drop-offs.

In the final segment of this episode, we hear from Coast Guard Station Portage's OIC, BMC Maria Collett, and EPO MK1 Dan Langley. They discuss the station's vital role in maritime safety on the southern shore of Lake Superior in Dollar Bay, Michigan. As seasons change, they transition from summer SAR and LE operations to winter ice rescues, highlighting their rigorous preparations to keep crews' mission-ready year-round in response to the region's unique challenges and dynamic weather conditions.

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 or the U.S. Naval Academy.

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