Modernization Mandates: Coast Guard, Cloud, and the Case for Government Reform

Original broadcast 6/15/25

Presented by Booz Allen

Digital transformation, cloud evolution, and the ever-persistent challenges in federal risk management take center stage in this week’s edition of Fed Gov Today. Rear Admiral Rusty Dash of the U.S. Coast Guard explains how the service is modeling its digital modernization efforts after the Navy, highlighting the importance of interoperability and customer experience. Richard Crowe from Booz Allen explores the next phase of cloud evolution across federal agencies, emphasizing mission-first cloud strategies and scale delivery. And former Comptroller General David Walker discusses the new GAO High Risk List and the urgent need for structural transformation and strategic planning across the federal government. From cutting-edge technology to timeless management challenges, this episode uncovers key insights on the road to government efficiency and modernization.

Charting the Coast Guard’s Digital Future

Rear Admiral Rusty Dash, Assistant Commandant for C4IT and CIO of the U.S. Coast Guard, outlines the service’s comprehensive approach to digital modernization. By closely aligning with the Department of the Navy’s digital engineering strategy, the Coast Guard is adopting a model-based approach to acquisition and IT delivery. Admiral Dash explains that the Guard's digital transformation centers around two pillars: building a digital thread from requirements through delivery, and focusing on user-centric capability deployment. This strategy not only boosts internal efficiency but also enhances interoperability with the Navy and other armed services.

Admiral Dash emphasizes that this transformation is no longer optional—it’s a “must do” in order to meet the operational tempo and expectations of the current administration. He also highlights the Coast Guard’s broader responsibility to the maritime industry, aiming to deliver world-class customer experience for services like vessel registration and mariner licensing. The segment concludes with a look at how resources, leadership alignment, and modern acquisition processes will determine the pace of this digital evolution.

Key Takeaways

• The Coast Guard is following the Navy’s lead on digital transformation using model-based systems engineering.

• Interoperability with the Navy and mission outcomes are core drivers of modernization efforts.

• Digital transformation includes customer-facing services to enhance maritime industry support.

The Cloud’s Next Chapter in Government

Richard Crowe, President, Civil Sector at Booz Allen, discusses how federal agencies are entering a new, more mature phase of cloud adoption. He explains that agencies are increasingly comfortable with multi-cloud strategies, choosing cloud solutions based on mission needs, latency requirements, and resilience. The conversation covers the growing importance of edge computing—once confined to defense operations but now relevant across all agencies—and the concept of scale delivery, which allows for flexible capacity based on mission demands.

Crowe points out that mission-critical workloads demand a higher standard of resilience than what’s typical in the private sector, with public safety, law enforcement, and transportation cited as examples. Agencies must begin every cloud decision with a clear understanding of the mission to ensure security, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The discussion underscores the sophistication and stakes involved in federal cloud strategies as agencies embrace innovation with accountability.

Key Takeaways

• Agencies are increasingly adopting multi-cloud and edge solutions tailored to mission-specific needs.

• Scale delivery enables flexible and cost-effective operations for both stable and burst workloads.

• Government cloud requirements surpass private sector standards in resilience due to mission criticality.

New GAO High Risk List Reinforces Old Challenges

David Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States, returns to analyze the 2025 GAO High Risk List, noting that many items have persisted for decades. Walker critiques the federal government’s inability to adopt 21st-century management and IT systems and calls for transformational reform. He argues that AI-driven oversight efforts like DOGE are overhyped and underperforming, and stresses that real savings will only come through strategic process changes, mandatory spending reforms, and a rethinking of Congressional incentives.

Walker advocates for a constitutional amendment to cap debt as a percentage of GDP, a government-wide strategic plan, and metrics that reflect real outcomes in areas such as education, healthcare, and national security. Throughout the segment, he calls for transparency, accountability, and incentive alignment as the keys to reversing inefficiency in federal operations. Walker's perspective is both a diagnosis and a call to action for systemic reform.

Key Takeaways

• Longstanding issues remain on the GAO High Risk List due to structural inefficiencies and lack of modernization.

• Tactical tools like DOGE are insufficient without broader reform of spending and governance practices.

• Real transformation requires outcome-based metrics, a strategic plan, and incentive realignment in government.