The deputy master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, Command Master Chief Charles “Rob” Bushey retired after 31 years of service.

As he reflects on three decades as a coastie, he says he’s proud of how far the Coast Guard has come.

“We’re moving in the right direction. I think we’re putting emphasis and funding where it needs to be to continue down this track,” he said. “We’ve had great support from the administration, both the Trump administration and now the Biden administration. They understand the Coast Guard and I think our reputation lends credibility to who we are and what we are and what we’re trying to accomplish and the services that we provide to the nation. I think there’s a lot of intrinsic value in telling our story.”

>>Click to see a photo of Command Master Chief Bushey when he enlisted in the Coast Guard... in 1991!