Service
to nation
Duty
to People
Commitment
to Excellence
Commandants
Direction
2014
About this Document
The Commandants Direction guides the Coast Guard during the tenure of each Commandant. This
document is founded on our Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty, and guided by the
principles of Service to Nation, Duty to People, and Commitment to Excellence. Each principle reinforces
the others and they collectively inform strategic, operational, and resource decision-making throughout
the Coast Guard. In the following pages, each principle is described to explain its meaning, relevance,
and applicability to all members of the Coast Guard Family Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian, Auxiliary, and
families alike. Priorities are identified to focus our efforts in meeting anticipated challenges and risks.
COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
WASHINGTON, DC
To the Men and Women of the Coast Guard,
It is my great honor and privilege to serve you and
the American people as the 25th Commandant
of the Coast Guard. Over the past 37 years, I have
had the opportunity to witness your courage,
dedication, and professionalism in action across all
of our missions. Today, our Coast Guard is stronger,
more effective, and more relevant than ever before.
Together, we will meet the increasingly complex
challenges of the future.
Three guiding principles frame my direction for the Service over the next four years:
Service to Nation
We will serve our Nation through the selfless performance of our missions.
Duty to People
We will honor our duty to protect those we serve and those who serve with us.
Commitment to Excellence
We will commit ourselves to excellence by supporting and executing our
operations in a proficient and professional manner.
You have my trust, confidence, and admiration. I charge each of you - from our
senior leaders to our newest graduates of Cape May - to apply these principles to
your own unique role in the Coast Guard. Together, we will ensure our Service is
always ready for the challenges ahead. Semper Paratus!
Admiral Paul F. Zukunft
Commandant
As a Coast Guard, we will:
Place Service above Self.
Ensure readiness for all missions.
Maintain operational focus on
prevention and response.
Service
to Nation
We serve a cause greater than ourselves. This cause
is the common thread which binds us to the Nation
and to the communities in which we live. The American
public places special trust in the Coast Guard to
accomplish our missions. We must honor that trust with
professionalism and dedicated service.
The maritime operating environment is increasingly
complex and ever changing, and the Coast Guards
value to the Nation has never been greater. Our service
to the American public is an essential safeguard
against persistent maritime risks and emerging threats.
As a leader in the global maritime community we will
continue to build and leverage partnerships to ensure
safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime
activities. Together, we will focus on prevention and
response while fostering the resilience essential to
safeguard Americas prosperity and security.
We will place service above self as we advance our
Nations interests at home, at sea, and abroad. Today
and into the future we will keep the Nation secure and its
maritime gateways connected to the world.
My Priorities
Align Coast Guard
strategies with DHS
priorities to advance
national interests.
Continue to invest in the
21st century Coast Guard.
Enhance partnerships
with stakeholders in the
maritime community.
Foster intelligence
capabilities and promote
cyber security in the
maritime domain.
As a Coast Guard, we will:
Live the Core Values of Honor,
Respect, and Devotion to Duty.
Demonstrate moral courage and
commit to a safe, inclusive, and
respectful workplace.
Commit to the well-being of our
Coast Guard Family.
Duty
to People
Duty to people is about leadership. We are dedicated to
the citizens we serve and those who serve beside us.
Our professional and talented workforce embodies this
dedication, continues our legacy of humanitarian service,
and lives our Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion
to Duty.
The Coast Guards strength resides in its people and
the different perspectives and talents they bring to the
Service. We will attract, develop, and retain the most
talented maritime professionals in the world to maximize
our value to the American public. We must respect those
we serve and those who serve with us by maximizing
diversity and inclusion to achieve the highest level of
mission excellence.
The well-being of our people is critical to the success of
our Service. The Coast Guard relies on cutters, boats, and
aircraft to operate in the maritime environment, but it is our
people who deliver truly unique capabilities to the Nation.
We are committed to upholding values which advance a
professional working environment today and cultivate the
workforce of tomorrow.
My Priorities
Commit to driving sexual
assault from our ranks.
Align recruiting , career
progression, and
workforce structure
to meet future
requirements.
Implement initiatives
to ensure a workforce
that reflects the same
diverse thought,
experience, and talent
found in the richness of
American society.
Cultivate the wellbeing and professional
development of our
people.
As a Coast Guard, we will:
Pursue excellence in mission
execution and support.
Foster an organization capable of
continuous innovation and learning.
Be responsible stewards
of the Nations resources.
Commitment
to Excellence
Excellence is our standard. The American public knows
that when the Coast Guard is called into action, we will
respond courageously and effectively. To do this, we must
strive to achieve the highest standards of readiness and
proficiency. This is our responsibility not only to the
public but to each other. We dont know when we will
encounter the next natural disaster or national crisis, or
when a search and rescue case will suddenly turn life
threatening, but we must remain true to our Services
motto Semper Paratus - and be Always Ready.
Excellence in mission support is essential to our
operational success. As Coast Guard mission demand
increases, we will always emphasize the safety of our
people. We will ensure operations are carefully planned to
maximize effectiveness and minimize risk. Our focus must
also optimize efficiencies and stewardship of resources.
However, efficiency goes beyond good stewardship of
public funds. It requires the Coast Guard as a whole to
foster innovation and partnerships across the public and
private sectors.
In all of our endeavors, we will continue to serve the Nation
with humility, and with the teamwork, on-scene initiative,
and bias for action that are part of our enduring legacy.
My Priorities
Advance our
commitment to a more
proficient workforce.
Ensure efficiency
across all Coast Guard
activities through
effective planning
and sound risk
management.
Modernize our financial
management system.
Enhance unity of effort
through operational
planning, logistical
support, and execution
with DHS, DoD, and
other partners.
Service to Nation
Duty to People
Commitment to Excellence
Semper Paratus
www.uscg.mil/direction
