Noem makes major announcement about Coast Guard future at academy graduation
The Day
By John Penney
May 21, 2025
New London — Minutes before the 256 members of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy's Class of 2025 took their oaths of office on Wednesday, they learned a sea change was on the horizon for the service they'll help lead as new junior officers.
“A new chapter for America’s Coast Guard, one like we have never seen before, starts right now,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the keynote speaker for the academy’s 144th commencement exercises, told the crowd of cadets, parents and officers attending the ceremony. “Under my confirmation, I directed the service to begin the largest transformation since the modern formation of the service since it was established in 1915.”
Noem, whose department oversees the Coast Guard, said the “Force Design 2028” initiative calls for building a “more agile, capable and responsive fighting force” through a series of top-level personnel cuts, streamlined acquisition and contracting work and an aggressive recruiting push.
She said the plan would reduce the number of Coast Guard admirals by 25% “so that we can return the decision-making to the frontline, where it belongs,” while adding 15,000 new service members over the next four years.
“Our nation is facing unprecedented threats to our national security,” Noem said, adding the overhaul has the full support of President Donald Trump. “With men and women like you joining the Coast Guard, I am confident that the American people will be safe.”
Ahead of the ceremony, more than 200 protesters gathered at New London’s McKinley Park, not far from the academy gates. Several participants at one point chanted “Noem go home” while waving signs excoriating Trump policies.
Noem, who also announced the promotion of Adm. Kevin Lunday to Coast Guard commandant, said upcoming changes would focus on four “campaigns” — people, organization, contracting and technology” — to improve medical care access, modernize the Coast Guard Reserve and replace obsolete technology.
Noem’s announcement was hinted at earlier in the day by Lunday, who told cadets they were entering the fleet at a time of “profound challenges and unprecedented opportunities.”
“We are on the edge of a transformational change,” he said before calling on the cadets to “lead as if your lives” and the lives of their subordinates and the American people were on the line.
Sean Plankey, senior adviser to the secretary of the Coast Guard and Trump’s pick to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told cadets their academy produces the “best leaders in America,” while praising Noem and Trump’s plan to revolutionize a service that will be “stronger, bigger and better.”
The graduation ceremony, full of military pomp, including a 19-gun salute and an aircraft fly-over, has rarely been the setting for major policy-shift announcements. Even Wednesday’s weather — chilly, breezy and cloudy — was a striking contrast from past years’ hot and sun-blazed temperatures that sent guests scrambling to tables of bottled water. This year, the bleachers were filled with viewers hunkering down under blankets, fleece hats and heavy coats.
Cadet First Class Veronica Krystofik, a Colchester resident and the Class of 2025’s distinguished graduate, seemed energized by the sullen weather, delivering a spirited address that encouraged her peers to bring their talents, drive and hard-earned camaraderie to their duty posts.
“We never gave up, on ourselves or each other,” said Krystofik, a government major who will serve as an intelligence mission support officer at Alabama’s Sector Mobile. "For others we fight."
Academy Superintendent Adm. Michael Johnson reminded his young charges they’d already made it through 200 weeks of intense academic, physical and mental training, largely by dint of their “hard work, perseverance and sacrifice.”
“You’ve experienced a journey like no other... and emerged stronger than before,” Johnson said. “Today is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. You are in for the adventure of a lifetime.”
Jack Derry, a 21-year-old Niantic resident who earned his ensign rank Wednesday, will head next to the USCGC Campbell, a cutter based out of Newport, R.I. The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering major, who seconds before tossed his cadet cover and shoulder boards into the air, said he was “ecstatic” about graduating.
“I’m happy it wasn’t a million degrees, and the pictures will look great,” he said. “I’m also happy I didn’t trip on my way up to the stage."
Derry urged incoming cadets to learn from the mistakes they were sure to make.
"That's going to happen, but keep your head up, push through and you'll be fine," he said.
Click here to view this article as it originally appeared on The Day website.
