U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association

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What a wonderful evening in Washington, D.C.! Thank you to everyone who came together Tuesday night to celebrate 50 Year...
08/28/2026

What a wonderful evening in Washington, D.C.! Thank you to everyone who came together Tuesday night to celebrate 50 Years of Women at the Coast Guard Academy.

A special highlight was the presentation of the “T3”, Tougher than Teak pin, a gift to our alumnae from CDR John McCarthy, USCG (Ret.), a Citadel graduate. CDR Serena Ensley Dietrich ’86 accepted the first pin on behalf of the alumnae in attendance.

The T3 pin honors female graduates of the Coast Guard Academy from 1980–2026. Each pin contains a piece of the original teak deck of USCGC Eagle, symbolizing the toughness, stability and resilience of both the wood and the women who have made significant contributions to the Academy, the Coast Guard and our nation.

The event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors: Women's Leadership Initiative, , , Mr. James B. Ellis, II '66, CAPT John A. Gaughan, USCGR, Ret. '70, CAPT Virginia K. Holtzman-Bell, USCG, Ret. '81, CAPT Kirsten R. Martin, USCG, Ret. '88, CAPT Joanne McCaffrey, USCG, Ret. '80, Class of 1977, Class of 1978, Class of 1986, Class of 1988, and the many others who supported the event.

Washington, D.C. was just one of six regional celebrations marking this milestone. With only TWO more 50 Years of Women events remaining, there’s still time to join us! Visit our website to learn more and register.

08/27/2026

🎙️ Now Streaming: 50 Years of HerStory Podcast Episode 5: Be Respected, Not Liked with Vice Admiral Sandra "Sandy" Stosz '82

What does it take to be first – first woman to command a Coast Guard cutter on the Great Lakes, first woman to lead a U.S. armed forces service academy – and still insist you never wanted to be defined by it?

In this episode of 50 Years of HerStory, Nicolle Bogden '12 sits down with retired Vice Admiral Sandy Stosz '82, who entered the Coast Guard Academy as part of just its third class of women and, four decades later, retired as one of the most senior women in Coast Guard history. Sandy traces her path from a tomboy childhood outside Baltimore through a Coast Guard Academy experience defined as much by brutal academics and mandatory cadet dances as by the classmates and cadre who had her back.

Closing out the episode, Megan (Blackeby) McGrath '94 shares this episode's "Moment of Gratitude," a heartfelt shout-out to someone who made a lasting impact on her journey. It's a moving reminder that behind every success story are the people who believed in us first.

🎧 Listen to Episode 5: https://50yearsofherstory.riverside.com/

Hours remain in the Bears Athletics Fund Day of Giving! Now is the time to support your favorite Bears team! Your suppor...
08/27/2026

Hours remain in the Bears Athletics Fund Day of Giving! Now is the time to support your favorite Bears team!

Your support will help shape the next 150 years of USCGA Athletics!

08/20/2026

🎙️Now Streaming: Corps Conversations Episode 9: Pursuing the Physician Assistant Path with LT Alyse Westbrooks '18

1/c Elijah Parent and Ms. Tara King Clark welcome LT Alyse Westbrooks '18, whose journey from Coast Guard cutter deck watch officer to physician assistant demonstrates the power of curiosity, initiative, and perseverance. What began as an interest in science evolved into a carefully planned path toward medicine, one she built largely on her own through extra coursework, EMT certification, volunteer experiences, and an unwavering commitment to a goal that wasn't widely known among cadets at the time.

Alyse shares how discovering the Coast Guard's Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) transformed her career aspirations and why transparency with her command, strong mentorship, and relentless preparation made all the difference. She reflects on balancing the demands of Academy life while pursuing additional prerequisites, navigating PA school during the COVID-19 pandemic, and returning to the Academy clinic where she created a women's health program, mentored cadets, and worked to improve medical support for future swabs.

Her story is a powerful reminder that some of the Coast Guard's most rewarding careers are built through persistence, service, and a willingness to forge your own path.

This episode's Alumni Impact Interlude celebrates the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Women's Rugby Team, whose historic 2025 season included both the Collegiate Rugby Sevens Division II Championship and the program's first National College Rugby Championship. Captain 1/c Kaitlyn Boggs reflects on how rugby became her anchor during Academy life, the culture of resilience and teamwork that fueled two national titles, and how alumni support through the Bears Athletics Fund and Women's Rugby Fund helped make those championship runs possible while strengthening a 25-year legacy of women's rugby at the Academy.

Check out Corps Conversations: Episode 9 is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!

08/12/2026

50 Years of HerStory Podcast Episode 4 Now Streaming!🎙️

What does it take to lead when the call comes at 1:30 in the morning and there's no time to prepare?

In this episode of 50 Years of HerStory, Nicolle Bogden '12 sits down with CDR Erin Palmer '09, a Coast Guard officer who found herself twice at the center of national crisis. First as the Operations Section Chief for the Key Bridge response, and less than a year later, in the same role for the response to the DCA plane and helicopter collision. Erin reflects on what it meant to walk into a room of first responders as one of only three Coast Guard personnel present, and how nearly two decades of formative jobs prepared her for the moments that mattered most. Erin shares the 1:30 a.m. phone call that started it all, the chaos of standing up an incident command post with half the information.

Throughout the conversation, Erin offers reflections on decisiveness, steadiness under pressure, and what it means to lead without a script. Her story is a reminder that resilience is rarely built in a single dramatic moment, it's built long before, in the ordinary work that quietly prepares you for it.

Closing out the episode, Janie (Clark) Thomas ‘92 shares a special “Moment of Gratitude,” a heartfelt shout-out to someone who made a lasting impact on their journey. It's a moving reminder that behind every success story are the people who believed in us first.

Nicolle Bogden Peanut Butter and Fitness

Coast Guard Academy alumni in San Diego! ⚓️ Alumni gathered at Protector Brewery’s Hide Site, a veteran-owned local brew...
08/10/2026

Coast Guard Academy alumni in San Diego! ⚓️

Alumni gathered at Protector Brewery’s Hide Site, a veteran-owned local brewery, for an evening of sharing stories, reconnecting, networking, and 'brewing' up some fun.

With Coast Guard Academy alumni from 1966 through 2022 represented, it was a great to see the Long Blue Line standing strong!

Thank you to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance & Appian for sponsoring this event!

We had an incredible time at this year's Otto Graham Golf Classic at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA! The da...
08/07/2026

We had an incredible time at this year's Otto Graham Golf Classic at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA! The day kicked off with a welcome from Vice Commandant, ADM Thomas Allan '90 before everyone headed to the carts and the course. It was wonderful to see alumni, friends, and families come together for a day of friendly competition.⛳️

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible: Akima, Appian, Thor Solutions LLC, USCGA Class of 1985, Arete, Skip Pawul '79, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, Moran Towing Corporation, UiPath, Carlough Solutions, and the Coast Guard Exchange.

Congratulations to this year's winners:

Red/White Flight
Kevin Keefe '09
Joe Harvey
Ryan McCue '09

White/Blue Flight
Al Sowers '08
Luke Daniels '19
John Mills
Kyle Fairbanks

Blue/Red Flight
Dan Christovich '85
Drew Rambo '82
Ed Eng '85
Josh Cimbak

Akima Appian THOR Solutions, LLC Arete Consulting LLC Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Moran Towing Corporation UiPath Coast Guard Exchange

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47 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT
06320

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