Maritime Enforcement Specialists

Captains,

This week I attended a graduation of newly designated maritime enforcement specialists. The school, which is located in Charleston, is equipped with a "fleet" of static vessel types from a small outboard runabout to trawlers to a Marad-owned Ready Reserve ship. I was pleased to hear the graduation speaker, VADM David Pekoske, recite from Alexander Hamilton's letter to the nation's first maritime enforcement specialists, the Revenue Marine officers.

They will always keep in mind that their countrymen are freemen, and, as such, are impatient of everything that bears the least mark of a domineering spirit. They will, therefore, refrain, with the most guarded circumspection, from whatever has the semblance of haughtiness, rudeness, or insult. Treasury Department, June 4, 1791

Maritime Enforcement Specialists, like their counterpart Marine Safety Technician Specialists, now have an "A" school to learn the intricacies of a Coast Guard petty officer's special authority, responsibility, and restraint for maritime law enforcement. RADM W

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The inaugural Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) “A” school class graduated at the Maritime Law Enforcement Academy in Charleston Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Maritime Enforcement Specialist “A” school is a nine and one-half-week resident training course for Coast Guard personnel desiring to become a maritime enforcement specialist. It challenges students through an intense performance-based training program providing skills and knowledge in law enforcement, security, tactical combat casualty care, apprentice leadership, and weapons programs.

The rate was officially established January 1, 2010 when 1,053 active duty and 988 reserve members transitioned from existing rates and became maritime enforcement specialists.