Coast Guard's new directorate will serve as hub for strategy, innovation

The Coast Guard has launched a new futures development and integration directorate as part of its Force Design 2028 initiative, led by Rear Adm. Amy Grable to address critical readiness challenges.

This strategic hub consolidates previously siloed Coast Guard offices to accelerate innovation, align resources with budget cycles, and tackle long-term threats. The initiative responds to what Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described as the Coast Guard being "less ready than at any other time since the end of World War II," facing workforce shortages and aging infrastructure.

• The directorate will serve as a "think-tank meets deck plate" approach to modernize outdated systems and processes
• Coast Guard received historic $25 billion investment to address maintenance and infrastructure issues
• Initiative focuses on four key areas: people, organization, acquisition and contracting, and technology
• Full operational capability expected by July 2026 with phased rollout over the next year