MEDIA ADVISORY: Media invited to attend Coast Guard Training Center Cape May Change of Command ceremony

     

CAPE MAY, N.J. — Members of the media are invited to attend Coast Guard Training Center Cape May’s Change of Command ceremony scheduled for Friday at Training Center Cape May in Cape May, N.J.

During the ceremony, Capt. Owen Gibbons will transfer command to Capt. Kathy Felger.

Gibbons has served as the Commanding Officer of Training Center Cape May since June 2016, overseeing the Coast Guard’s sole Enlisted Accession Training Site. Approximately 80% of the Coast Guard’s current workforce have all begun their careers at Training Center Cape May. During his three-year tenure, he oversaw the training for roughly 12,000 men and women entering the Active Duty or Reserve enlisted military workforce. Additionally, Gibbons led a permanent party staff consisting of more than 400 active duty, reserve, and civilian members to provide the training, military processing, medical assistance, and facility support for all new arrivals entering the 8-week recruit training program. In addition to the Change of Command ceremony, Gibbons will be retiring after 34 years of faithful service to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Felger comes to Training Center Cape May from Coast Guard Personnel Service Center in Washington, D.C., where she served as the Enlisted Assignments Branch Chief.

The Change of Command ceremony marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition conducted before the assembled crew, honored guests, and dignitaries in order to formally demonstrate the continuity of the authority within a command.

WHO: Members of the media
WHAT: An opportunity for members of the media to gather imagery, conduct interviews, and meet with the new Commanding Officer of Training Center Cape May.
WHERE: Training Center Cape May, 1 Munro Ave, Cape May, N.J. 08204
WHEN: Friday, July 19 starting promptly at 1 p.m. Media interested in attending are asked to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the start time.

Training Center Cape May is the 5th largest base in the Coast Guard and the sole accession point for the entire enlisted workforce. Training Center Cape May’s mission is to transform the recruits of today into the Coast Guardsmen of tomorrow.

Media interested in attending will be required to email the Public Affairs Officer for Training Center Cape May at timothy.p.tamargo@uscg.mil by Thursday, July 18.