Radio Boat Forces
Radio Boat Forces offers essential discussions on maritime operations, professional development, open-source policy updates, and field insights from around the country. All views expressed are solely those of the hosts/guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Nevertheless, Radio Boat Forces provides exclusive content with leading experts, offering operational and leadership insights, as well as special guest interviews addressing mission-critical topics such as search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, aids to navigation, and other Coast Guard mission areas.
Whether you serve in the Coast Guard, a maritime partner agency, or consider yourself a military or maritime enthusiast, Radio Boat Forces delivers practical knowledge, historical insights, and other engaging content with a touch of light-hearted fun along the way.
Episodes
35 episodes
What About EAL?
We're joined by LT Chris Fuentes from the Office of Boat Forces 1-Side to discuss Electronic Asset Logbook (EAL). LT provides insight on the system’s role in capturing operational data, new changes to the way we capture information, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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20:55
Boat Forces Medical Readiness Capability
We dive into the critical role of medical readiness in Coast Guard small boat operations. From heat casualties to trauma care in rough seas, we explore how EMT skills keep missions on track and save lives. We discuss medical gear, improvisation...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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16:29
Meet CG-7311 + LifeRing
In this episode, we sit down with CDR Leo Danaher from CG-7311 to gain sharp, firsthand insight into the evolving landscape of Coast Guard operations. With a wealth of experience from recent tours, CDR Danaher reflects on key lessons lea...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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33:38
ME-RFMC + What if We Never Left the Navy in 1946?
Outgoing ME Rating Force Master Chief Ryan Patterson sits down with us to reflect on his tour as the enlisted leader for Maritime Enforcement specialists. With approximately 7,000 certified boarding officers and boarding team members acr...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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22:23
Hurricane Season 2025
This week, we dive into Hurricane Season 2025 with insights from designated Coast Guard flood response members preparing to meet the potential mission head-on. We recap a recent multi-unit training exercise featuring expert partners from SPE...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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39:06
ANT Eufaula in Action + Propulsion and Fuel Talk with Dr. Kass
In this episode, we explore the future of marine propulsion with Dr. Michael Kass from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Kass shares his expertise on alternative fuels, electrification, and the practical challenges of integrating new te...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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39:57
VADM William 'Dean' Lee (Ret.)
In this episode, we sit down with VADM William "Dean" Lee, a distinguished Coast Guard leader whose 36-year career culminated as Commander of Atlantic Area. Known not just for his command over vast operations but for his deep commitment ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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35:39
No Sleep till Brooklyn, New PFT, Awards, and Insignias
Ever finish a patrol alert but later realize you don’t remember half of it? That’s not just exhaustion; it’s fatigue silently sabotaging your performance. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience of fatigue with Dr. Allison Brager,...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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30:22
When CG-731 Leaves the Group Text
CAPT Jason Aleksak (CG-731) presses send one last time, marking the end of a chapter few get to write, and even fewer reflect on publicly. In this episode, he unpacks what it’s like to lead in ambiguity, make decisions with consequences ...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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34:44
Who Named Boat Forces: Boat Forces?
Boat Forces once ran on heart and hustle...but lacked harmony. Then came Captain Dana Goward, a leader who didn’t just tweak the system, he rewired it. In this episode, we unpack how he turned scattered practices into a unified identity,...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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18:02
A.I. Navigation Systems & Cyber BMs
This episode dives into the future of maritime operations—both on the water and in the digital domain. First, we speak with Dor Raviv, Co-Founder and CTO of Orca AI, about how their situational awareness platform is helping commercial ve...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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26:58
STA Portage & Coastal Dynamics With Dr. Muller
Discover the hidden forces shaping the waves beneath your vessel in this episode. Dr. Andrew Muller from the U.S. Naval Academy joins us to explore how nearshore hydrodynamics influence wave behavior, from sandbars and reef ridges to tur...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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38:20
STA Cleveland Harbor & CG-731's New Facilities Program
The episode features Mr. Dave McConky, the Office of Boat Forces Facility Analyst, discussing his newly created role aimed at amplifying advocacy for Station and ANT facilities. He shares insights into his observations, concerns, and str...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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33:53
Drill Weekend at STA Port Aransas & RPM
In this episode, BMCM Tony Sofo and MSTCS Marcus Jetchev talk about the Reserve program at STA Port Aransas, which has been recognized as a success by reserve community leaders. They share how teamwork and smart strategies have he...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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35:26
STA Kauai & BM Strike Lyfe
In this episode, we dive into dynamic Coast Guard roles with BOSN Seth Hunt and BMC Michael McHugh. BOSN Hunt, from the Atlantic Strike Team, shares insights into the CISAR Flood Response Course, highlighting its importance and ch...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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30:58
STA Valdez & CISAR
In this episode, BM1 Matt Matella from MSST Miami offers an insider’s glimpse into the Critical Incident Search and Rescue (CISAR) training at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana. Hear firsthand about the unique fac...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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21:52
Pathway to OIC - Final
In this closing episode, CAPT Jason Aleksak (CG-731) and BMCM Grant Heffner (BM-RFMC) share parting thoughts on the evolving pathway to command, emphasizing key takeaways from the series and the importance of leadership developmen...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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24:54
Pathway to OIC - Part II
In this episode, CAPT Jason Aleksak (CG-731) and BMCM Grant Heffner (RFMC) make a return visit to delve deeper into topics from their previous discussion, providing listeners with valuable insights and updates. Joining the convers...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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22:02
Pathway to OIC - Part I
In this episode, we dive into the newly released Officer in Charge Review Board Manual with CG-731 - CAPT Jason Aleksak and the BM RFMC, Master Chief Grant Heffner. They break down key updates from the January release, of...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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32:13
STA Tillamook Bay and CG-7312
Easy write up: Operational Wisdom Bombs from BMCS Bryan Ballenger and BM1 Patrick Smith from Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay. Learn about their station's local history, AOR, and value-added insights from these...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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35:40
National Marine Center and ANT Colfax
In this episode, we welcome retired Warrant Officer Mr. Scott Wildrick from the National Marine Center for Customs and Border Protection. Mr. Wildrick shares insights into the program he oversees, which plays a crucial role in safeguardi...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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27:44
Lessons Learned with CG-1K3
Join us for an insightful episode of our podcast as we sit down with retired Coast Guard BOSN Mark Davenport from CG-13K. Drawing from his extensive experience, Mr. Davenport delves into the latest trends in mishap analysis and the futur...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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26:35
STA Bodega Bay and CG-7311
Dive into the world of the Coast Guard Reserve with our latest podcast episode featuring LCDR Kurt Mees (ret), a seasoned expert from the Office of Boat Forces Reserve Program Management. Discover the current initiatives reshaping the Bo...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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22:20
Navy Chief - Coast Guard Chief: Cross Service Insights
Join Command Master Chief Glenda Atwood and Command Master Chief Victor Smith from the U.S. Navy Memorial, along with Master Chief Joe Hoff from the Coast Guard Office of Leadership, as they share their leadership expertise.Command Ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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56:37
