Brian Martin
ASHAWAY
Summary
Strategic maritime operations executive with 27 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, including service as Command Master Chief. Expertise in managing complex maritime operations, search and rescue, and emergency response. Skilled in operational risk management, incident command, and workforce development. Holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a U.S. Coast Guard 100 GT Master License, focused on integrating next-generation maritime technology and fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Command Senior Enlisted Advisor
United States Coast Guard
Woods Hole/Boston
07.2021 - Current
- Advised Coast Guard Commanding Officers as the principal enlisted advisor, offering executive leadership and strategic counsel across operational and mission support commands.
- Enhanced workforce readiness, leadership development, and organizational performance across Coast Guard organizations of over 500 personnel at Base Boston and over 400 personnel at Sector Southeastern New England, supporting mission effectiveness of Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer workforce.
- Oversaw readiness, qualification, and professional development of maritime personnel across shore and afloat units in VT, ME, MA, RI, CT, and NY, using the Coast Guard Training Management System to track progress, resulting in consistent qualification standards, minimizing loss of readiness, and improved crew performance.
- Championed mission safety assurance frameworks and directed mishap investigations, utilizing Advanced Mishap Analysis to optimize operational processes and reduce organizational risk.
- Optimized resources through collaboration with federal, state, and local maritime partners to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Represented the command during executive engagements, operational reviews, workforce forums, and regional leadership events, providing trusted counsel and operational perspective to support strategic decision-making.
- Led command-wide leadership development initiatives, mentoring senior enlisted leaders and fostering a culture of trust, accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.
- Collaborated with operational commanders, department heads, and mission support leaders to identify challenges, develop solutions, and strengthen cross-functional coordination and mission performance.
- Functioned as a trusted liaison between executive leadership and the workforce, promoting transparent communication, timely issue resolution, and alignment of organizational priorities.
Enlisted member from E1-E9
United States Coast Guard
08.1999 - Current
- Qualified on and operated nine Coast Guard vessel platforms from 17-foot response craft to 87-foot patrol cutters, enhancing operational versatility across diverse maritime missions.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Officer in Charge (OIC) / Tactical Coxswain / Patrol Coast Guard Station Charleston
United States Coast Guard
Charleston
06.2018 - 07.2021
- Commanded one of the Coast Guard's highest operational tempo maritime security units, responsible for continuous search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, homeland security, and Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security operations.
- Led a Level I maritime security unit responsible for protecting critical maritime infrastructure, commercial shipping, military assets, and the traveling public through continuous security patrols and emergency response operations.
- Directed multi-asset tactical maritime operations as Patrol Commander, exercising mission command over response boat crews during Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security missions, maritime security patrols, and emergency response operations. Managed operational risk, coordinated interagency resources, and made time-critical decisions to achieve mission success and ensure personnel safety.
- Directed 100+ active-duty and reserve personnel to execute search-and-rescue, maritime security, law enforcement, and homeland security missions in one of the nation's busiest ports, ensuring operational readiness and mission effectiveness.
- Planned and executed high-risk operations, including Certain Dangerous Cargo escorts and High Capacity Passenger Vessel security, enhancing safety of critical maritime infrastructure and facilitating secure multi-agency maritime security operations.
- Supervised logistical, administrative, and budget management tasks to support uninterrupted mission capabilities. Served as primary trainer for tactical operations, acting as opposing force, and overall safety for training operations.
Officer in Charge (OIC) (Maritime Operations Manager)
United States Coast Guard
Milford Haven
07.2014 - 06.2018
- Commanded a Level I maritime response and security unit consisting of more than 50 active duty and reserve personnel, maintaining continuous operational readiness for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security missions.
- Led tactical maritime security operations including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker escorts, Naval Vessel Protection Zones (NVPZ), and other Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security missions supporting critical national infrastructure and maritime commerce.
- Directed day-to-day operations of multi-mission Coast Guard station, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, commercial shipping, and traveling public while ensuring safe and effective mission execution.
- Managed vessel operations, personnel readiness, crew qualification programs, and emergency response capabilities, ensuring continuous mission readiness through comprehensive operational risk management and maintenance oversight.
- Coordinated with federal, state, local, military, and port partners during security operations and emergent maritime incidents, ensuring safe and unified operational execution.
- Managed daily activities at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven to support maritime security efforts.
Executive Petty Officer (Deputy Maritime Operations Manager)
United States Coast Guard
05.2012 - 07.2014
- Acted as second-in-command aboard an 87-foot Coast Guard patrol cutter, managing daily operations, ensuring operational readiness, and executing missions for a 12-member crew.
- Directed vessel operations in support of search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, homeland security, and fisheries enforcement missions, ensuring safe navigation and operational excellence.
- Managed personnel readiness, crew scheduling, qualifications, discipline, logistics, and administrative operations, ensuring continuous mission capability.
- Partnered with engineering personnel to oversee preventive maintenance and equipment readiness, enhancing vessel availability and operational reliability.
- Led operational planning and risk management initiatives, developing crew training programs to prepare personnel for complex maritime missions.
- Coast Guard Cutter Ibis
Station Shark River & Station Townsend Inlet (Maritime Operations Supervisor) / Coxswain
United States Coast Guard
08.2005 - 05.2012
- Led day-to-day operations across two Coast Guard Station Small units, each comprising approximately 10–15 personnel, ensuring continuous operational readiness for search-and-rescue, maritime law enforcement, and emergency response missions.
- Conducted operational planning and led response boat crews during search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security missions, maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and mission execution.
- Mentored and trained junior personnel in boat handling, navigation, tactical procedures, and safety compliance, enhancing crew readiness for critical missions.
- Supervised vessel maintenance and equipment readiness, ensuring operational availability and supporting mission success in diverse maritime operations.
- Conducted operational planning and led response boat crews in search and rescue and maritime law enforcement missions, upholding safety and professionalism during high-stakes operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN05-2026
Associate of Applied Science - Management
Purdue University
West Lafayette08-2023
Skills
- Analytics, Mission operations, Security Operations, Operations, Time Management, Leadership, Leading teams, Technical Leadership, Risk Management, Teamwork, Cultivating Partnerships, Advanced Maritime Operations, Extreme Weather Navigation, Emergency Response Planning, Mission Planning and Execution-, Operational Risk Management (ORM), Safety Management Systems (SMS), Operational Human Factors, Crew Resource Management (CRM), High-risk decision making, Vessel maintenance oversight, Crew training programs, Operational standardization, Maritime Emergency Response, Interagency coordination, Multi-Unit Operational Oversight, Crisis Coordination Management, Leadership Development and Team Building-, Organizational Performance Improvement, Process optimization, Maritime Security Operations, Tactical Vessel Operations, Multi-Asset Mission Coordination, Navigation & Piloting, Heavy Weather Navigation, Vessel Readiness & Maintenance Oversight, Crew Qualification & Certification Programs, Strategic Crisis Management, Incident analysis, Maritime Training & Instruction, SOP development, Personnel Supervision & Workforce Management, Critical Thinking, Adaptability, Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, Transformational Leadership, On water safety procedures, Heavy Equipment Management, Crisis Action Planning
- Executive Leadership: Executive Advisory, Organizational Change, Talent Development, Executive Coaching & Mentoring, Employee Engagement, Succession Planning, Performance Management, Culture Development, Strategic Communications, Stakeholder Engagement
- Relationship building
- Force protection
- Military protocol
- Mission planning
- Report generation
- Coordinating training
- Conducting risk assessments
- Organizational skills
- Time Management
- Physical fitness
- Team leadership
- Professional demeanor
- Teamwork
- Works Well Under Pressure
- Personnel Development Management
- Training and development
- Training analysis
- Operational Performance Reviews
- Personnel Welfare Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Team building
- Mission Prioritization
- Verbal and written communication
- Employee Support Services
- Operational Innovation Strategies
- Leading teams
- Technical Leadership
- Risk Management
- Operational Multi-tasking
- Transformational Leadership
- Operational Security Management
- Operational Protocol Compliance
- Emergency Action Plan Design
- Operational Reporting
- Coordinating training
- Operational Risk Evaluation
- Organizational skills
- Operational Fitness Standards
- Team leadership
- Professional demeanor
- Operational Risk Management (ORM)
- Team Cohesion Development
- Time management
- Pressure resilience
- Hazard identification
- Navigation skills
- Training development
- Conducting risk assessments
Certification
- Advanced Mishap Analysis & Mission Safety Assurance (MSAF)
- Incident Command System (ICS) I-200
- Boat Forces Command Cadre & Senior Enlisted Leadership Training
- Officer in Charge / Executive Petty Officer School (Afloat & Ashore)
- Search and Rescue (SAR) Fundamentals
- Tactical Boat Crew Member & Tactical Coxswain (RB-M, RBS-II)
- Maritime Boarding Officer (OPSBO)
- Incident Command System (ICS) I-300
- Incident Command System (ICS) I-700
- Incident Command System (ICS) I-800
- Team Leader/Facilitator
- Patrol Commander
Honors & Awards
Meritorious Service Medal (Recognizing exceptional meritorious service and leadership), DHS Outstanding Unit Award & Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, Coast Guard Commendation Medals (Multiple) & Coast Guard Achievement Medals (Multiple), Advanced Boat Forces Insignia & Coast Guard Coxswain Insignia, Advanced Coxswain for Law Enforcement Insignia, Advanced Coxswain for Heavy Weather Insignia
Timeline
Command Senior Enlisted Advisor
United States Coast Guard
07.2021 - Current
Officer in Charge (OIC) / Tactical Coxswain / Patrol Coast Guard Station Charleston
United States Coast Guard
06.2018 - 07.2021
Officer in Charge (OIC) (Maritime Operations Manager)
United States Coast Guard
07.2014 - 06.2018
Executive Petty Officer (Deputy Maritime Operations Manager)
United States Coast Guard
05.2012 - 07.2014
Station Shark River & Station Townsend Inlet (Maritime Operations Supervisor) / Coxswain
United States Coast Guard
08.2005 - 05.2012
Enlisted member from E1-E9
United States Coast Guard
08.1999 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management
Purdue University Global
Associate of Applied Science - Management
Purdue University