The U.S. Coast Guard added 5,204 active-duty enlisted service members in fiscal year 2025, marking the highest accession numbers since 1991. The service reported exceeding its recruiting goals in November of the previous year. This surge in personnel allows the agency to fully staff six stations and restore full operations by 2027.
What it means
The six stations selected for restoration had been operating at reduced capacity due to workforce shortages. The Coast Guard prioritized these locations based on operational risk and mission demand. Additional stations are scheduled to return to full operations in the future, though specific timelines were not provided.
Restoring these units increases capacity for search and rescue, maritime security, and law enforcement missions. Adm. Kevin E. Lunday said, “Record recruiting is giving us the people we need to strengthen frontline operations.” The Coast Guard had reduced operations at several units in 2023 and 2024 through the Force Alignment Initiative, which shifted personnel to higher priority units while maintaining operational demands.
The reconstitution of these six stations is contingent upon fiscal year 2027 appropriations. The prioritized locations include Station Castle Hill in Rhode Island; Station Milford Haven in Virginia; Station Saginaw River in Michigan; and three California stations: Vallejo, Golden Gate, and Rio Vista.
Key facts
- 5,204 active-duty enlisted service members added in FY 2025
- Highest accession numbers since 1991
- Six stations to restore full operations in 2027
- Stations: Castle Hill (R.I.), Milford Haven (Va.), Saginaw River (Mich.), Vallejo, Golden Gate, and Rio Vista (Cal.)
- Operations reduced at several units in 2023 and 2024 via Force Alignment Initiative
- Restoration contingent on FY 2027 appropriations
Source: U.S. Coast Guard news release