Understanding the mission: Inside the Coast Guard Industry Academy
As global security challenges become more complex, strong partnerships between industry and government are essential to advancing homeland security and mission readiness. The Coast Guard Industry Academy, hosted by the Washington Homeland Security Roundtable (WHSR), provides a valuable platform for building these partnerships and fostering shared understanding.
By immersing participants in United States Coast Guard operations through hands-on demonstrations and focused discussions, the program creates an unmatched opportunity to understand the Service’s 11 statutory missions and explore new ways to support them. For AECOM, participating is both an honor and a responsibility: a chance to listen, learn, and apply decades of expertise to help the Coast Guard execute its mission with agility and confidence.
Immersive learning: Experiencing the United States Coast Guard mission up close
The Coast Guard Industry Academy is designed to embed industry leaders with the Coast Guard across multiple missions and locations. Through interactive sessions and site visits, participants gain firsthand insight into the Coast Guard’s operational challenges and priorities. Now on its fourth cohort, we have participated in the Industry Academy since the program’s inception, sending one representative annually.
Beth Kalapos, AECOM vice president and federal program leader, who has managed DHS’s Nationwide A/E Services IDIQ for 20 years and led numerous Coast Guard projects, shared her perspective:
Through the Coast Guard Industry Academy, I had the honor and privilege to visit Coast Guard installations and participate in activities that are not accessible to civilians. WHSR put together what became a year and a half of fantastic, informative, and comprehensive programs. At each session, the time the Coast Guard took to educate us on their mission through active and participatory demonstrations, and the impressive assets they brought to bear at each facility, provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the Coast Guard’s mission.
Each cohort experiences a series of visits to Coast Guard facilities across the country. During his participation in the third cohort, Nathan Carte, environmental scientist, traveled to multiple locations, including Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC, TRACEN Cape May, Coast Guard Yard, Station South Padre Island, Base San Juan, Base Kodiak in Alaska and Base Seattle. These visits offered a firsthand look at the Coast Guard’s diverse missions — from drug interdiction and ports, waterways, and coastal security to search and rescue and protection of living marine resources.
Kodiak was unforgettable — search and rescue operations and living marine resources protection in one of the most challenging environments. Alaska’s living marine resources are a $6 billion industry, and the Coast Guard plays a huge role in keeping it safe.
Brendan Grady, project manager and a participant in the Industry Academy’s second cohort, experienced that same mission diversity firsthand. From donning a Gumby suit and jumping into the water at Base Seattle, to observing a helicopter-based search and rescue exercise in Miami, to tactical water training aboard an 87-foot patrol boat, the program offered immersive exposure to the breadth of Coast Guard operations.
Each location had such a unique mission and covered various operations and specific personnel. Their team was remarkable to witness. Their eagerness and honor to demonstrate what they do and how they serve made the experience incredibly impactful.
A gathering of industry leaders
A hallmark of the Industry Academy is the diverse mix of participating organizations. Leaders from technology, engineering and security sectors work side by side, sharing perspectives and identifying ways to support the Coast Guard more effectively.
Beth reflected on the value of these interactions:
The diverse professional backgrounds of the participants provided for interesting and collaborative discussions and ideas, which were further enhanced by the overall program format that allowed us the opportunity to share these ideas with the Coast Guard.
Brendan echoed this sentiment, noting the unusually broad range of industries and people represented — from A/E firms and wireless technology providers to retired military personnel and even public relations professionals.
The group was very diverse and very collaborative. Working alongside people with such different backgrounds created meaningful dialogue and strengthened how we thought about supporting the Coast Guard as integrators.
Looking ahead: Shared commitment to mission readiness
The Coast Guard Industry Academy is more than a training program. It is a forum for shared commitment, where industry partners learn directly from the Coast Guard and identify new ways to contribute meaningful solutions.
For our participants, it deepens our understanding of Coast Guard operations, strengthens relationships and supports our mission to help federal partners operate with confidence.
We’re honored to be part of this program and excited about the opportunity to help the Coast Guard achieve its goals.
I love working with the Coast Guard. It was incredible to see that level of collaboration, passion and dedication towards critical missions for national security.
Understanding their mission and witnessing their demonstrations directly relates to the work we do. It prepares us to better support the Coast Guard at sites where we’re already engaged in maintenance, repair, and new construction.
We are proud to stand with the Coast Guard and fellow partners, bringing the curiosity to learn and the capability to integrate solutions that strengthen security, resilience and mission success.
Header image photo credit: Nathan Carte
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