On May 21st, the 144th graduation ceremony of the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) was held in New London, Connecticut. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, attended and delivered a speech, telling the more than 260 graduates present that the US Coast Guard is about to embark on a new unprecedented chapter.
According to various media reports, Noem was present throughout the graduation ceremony of the 2025 class at the US Coast Guard Academy and personally awarded graduation certificates to 256 new officers and 6 international students. At the same time, many relatives and friends of the graduates were also invited to witness this important moment together.
During her address, Noem mentioned that the US Coast Guard is facing its biggest readiness crisis since World War II and vowed to radically reform this frontline force.
She emphasized, “Force Design 2028 is the blueprint for reforming the Coast Guard. As part of this plan, the maritime force will reduce the number of Navy admirals by 25% to shift decision-making back to the frontlines, while also increasing recruitment efforts for enlisted personnel.”
Established in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is located in New London, Connecticut, and is one of the five military academies in the United States, as well as one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the country. In 2003, the US Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Transportation to the newly established Department of Homeland Security.