Emerging Leaders Visit U.S. Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay
Recently, the 119th cohort of the Stennis Center for Public Service Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program visited the U.S. Coast Guard facility at Curtis Bay.
The visit offered Emerging Leaders a firsthand look at Coast Guard Yard and operations within the Maryland Sector-National Capital Region, with a focus on both mission execution and the extensive support infrastructure that sustains the fleet.
The Coast Guard Yard, part of the Surface Forces Logistics Center, is the service’s only shipyard and major repair facility. It plays a critical role in maintaining and modernizing Coast Guard cutters and other assets that support missions ranging from law enforcement to search and rescue operations.
Participants received briefings from Coast Guard personnel on regional operations and the Yard’s mission, followed by tours of the shipyard and station facilities. The experience highlighted the complexity and coordination required to keep Coast Guard assets ready for deployment.
A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity to tour operational assets within Sector Maryland–National Capital Region, including two search and rescue vessels. These tours provided a closer look at the equipment and crews that respond to maritime emergencies throughout the region.
Photos courtesy of Savannah Wood (Stennis Center for Public Service) and LTJG Erin Johnson (U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Maryland–National Capital Region).
The Stennis Center extends its sincere appreciation to all those who hosted and supported the visit, including Captain Emily Tharp and Kristen Soper at the Coast Guard Yard, as well as the staff of Sector Maryland–National Capital Region. Special thanks are also due to LTJG Erin Johnson for leading portions of the tour and taking time from a demanding operational schedule to engage with the Emerging Leaders.
Feedback from participants reflected both a strong appreciation for the experience and an appreciation for the value of engaging directly with Coast Guard personnel. The visit not only deepened their understanding of Coast Guard missions but also provided space for Emerging Leaders to build relationships with one another across party and chamber lines, a central component of the program’s mission to foster bipartisan professional growth.
The Stennis Center also appreciates the coordination and support from LCDR Shane Gunderson and the broader Coast Guard team in making the visit possible.
The Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program brings together promising staff from both chambers of Congress and both parties, pairing them with senior mentors and offering opportunities for professional development, leadership growth, and deeper engagement with the institutions they serve.
The Stennis Center is grateful to the U.S. Coast Guard for its hospitality and commitment to educating the next generation of public servants.