ALCOAST 002/18 - JAN 2018 SELECTION OF THE NEXT CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

R 022151 JAN 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01401//
ALCOAST 002/18
COMDTNOTE 1401
SUBJ: SELECTION OF THE NEXT CHAPLAIN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
1. I am pleased to announce the selection of Captain Thomas J. Walcott,
Chaplain Corps, USN, as the next Chaplain of the Coast Guard. He will
relieve Captain Gregory N. Todd, Chaplain Corps, USN, and report aboard
in April, 2018.
2. A native of Muskegon, Michigan, Chaplain Walcott received his
undergraduate degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a
Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of
Ministry (Pastoral Response to disasters) from Fuller Theological
Seminary in Pasadena, California. Chaplain Walcott was commissioned in
the United States Navy Reserve in 1994 and came on active duty in 1996.
Before entering active duty, Chaplain Walcott was a missionary in the
Dominican Republic and the pastor of Baymeadows Community Church in
Jacksonville, FL.
3. Chaplain Walcott currently serves as the Force and Fleet Chaplain
for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. FIFTH Fleet,
and Combined Maritime Forces. Since entering active duty in 1996, he
has held a variety of operational and staff assignments in the Coast
Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps. Immediately prior to his current
assignment, CAPT Walcott was the USCG Atlantic Area Chaplain and
oversaw the religious ministry and pastoral care response in the
aftermath of the sinking of the SS El Faro and during Hurricane
Matthew.  He has also served USCG assignments as the District Seven
Chaplain and District Nine (Western Region) Chaplain. Chaplain
Walcott's Navy and Marine Corps assignments have included the Third
Marine Aircraft Wing, the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group, the
Chief of Navy Chaplains staff, and he was deployed to Iraq in
support of Multi-National Forces Iraq and to Naval Station Rota
Spain.  Particularly noteworthy in his career was Chaplain Walcott's
service as part of the Chaplain Emergency Response Team providing
pastoral care in New York City following the 9-11 Attacks, his
appointment to the leadership team that directed the response to
the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, and his subsequent study and
specialization in pastoral care for disaster response.
4. The Coast Guard's strength resides in its people.  In line with
my Duty to People guiding principle, Chaplain Walcott will use his
leadership and professional experience to help shepherd the spiritual
and moral well-being of our incredible 21st century workforce.
5. ADM Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant, sends.
6. Internet release authorized.