Force Design 2028: The 4-Point Plan to Reinvent the U.S. Coast Guard
Captain Jonathan Carter of the U.S. Coast Guard joins Fed Gov Today to share a behind-the-scenes look at Force Design 2028, a sweeping transformation initiative aimed at preparing the service for the future. As Director of the Force Design Implementation Team, Captain Carter outlines the four pillars of the effort—people, organization, contracting and acquisition, and technology—and explains how each plays a critical role in reshaping the Coast Guard for modern operational demands.
Carter emphasizes that the initiative reflects one of the most significant shifts in the Coast Guard since World War II. At its heart, he says, is a commitment to people first. “The strength of what we do is in the willingness of our people to put themselves in harm’s way,” he explains, pointing to a recent example where Coast Guard members responded swiftly during flooding in Texas. Carter makes it clear: readiness and resiliency are not just about numbers—they’re about ensuring every member is trained, equipped, and supported throughout their service.
The initiative also takes aim at modernizing the Coast Guard’s fleet and acquisition processes. Carter notes that many vessels are decades old, and even newer ships struggle with parts availability. “We’re still operating ships that are 50 years old,” he says. “Even our newer ships have parts availability issues that keep us tied up to the pier more than we should be.” Force Design 2028 seeks to fix that by aligning acquisition and sustainment teams more closely—creating Program Executive Offices (PEOs) modeled after those in the Navy. Rear Admiral Dash, the Coast Guard CIO, will lead one of those offices, helping to bring cutting-edge capabilities, including autonomous and remote systems, into the service.
On the organizational front, Carter highlights the long-anticipated creation of a Secretary of the Coast Guard, a senior civilian leader who would mirror the roles of the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He views this as a critical step forward in aligning the Coast Guard with the broader federal landscape and improving communication across agencies and industry.
As a former ship commander and Chief of Coast Guard Enlisted Personnel, Carter brings a firsthand understanding of the operational impacts of staffing shortfalls and training gaps. He reflects on the need for more recruiters, better training pipelines, and smarter retention strategies. “It’s less about the specific number of people and more about readiness and resiliency,” he says. The service is working to grow by 15,000 members, but Carter acknowledges that number may still fall short of what’s needed.
Throughout the conversation, Carter consistently returns to the theme of operational outcomes. Every campaign within Force Design 2028 is designed to make missions more efficient, equipment more reliable, and service members’ lives more supported. Whether responding to domestic emergencies or foreign contingencies, he says, the Coast Guard must be ready to act—without hesitation.
“Everything we do under force design will be tailored toward mission outcomes,” Carter concludes. “And making the jobs of our operators safer and more efficient.”