After more than two decades of distinguished service, Phillip Waldron has been appointed as the 15th master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, the service’s highest-ranking enlisted member.
According to Military.com, Waldron will officially step into his new role on July 25, 2025, during a formal change of watch ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia.
Waldron currently serves as command master chief at the Coast Guard’s Personnel Service Center, where he oversees and advises on workforce matters. His leadership and operational experience were key factors in his selection for the top enlisted position. Acting Coast Guard Commandant Kevin Lunday announced the appointment earlier this month, citing Waldron’s “extensive experience and proven senior leadership.”
Waldron enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1999 shortly after completing high school. Starting as a machinery technician, he built a career that spanned engineering roles and leadership assignments on the water and ashore. His early assignments included tours as an engineering petty officer aboard the inland buoy tender Buckthorn and the patrol boats Wrangell and Adak in Bahrain.
Experience in High-Risk Maritime Operations
During his deployment in the Middle East, Waldron earned qualification as a boarding officer and carried out 40 high-threat maritime boardings. His performance during these operations earned him national recognition, including the 2008 “Coast Guardsman of the Year Award” presented by the United Services Organizations.
Waldron’s career features a range of operational credentials, including the small boat coxswain certification and the cutterman insignia. He has also earned the boat forces operations and company commander insignias, reflecting the breadth of his experience across various mission areas within the Coast Guard.
Before overseeing personnel services, Waldron held leadership positions across the country. He served as the command master chief for the 17th Coast Guard District, now known as the Arctic District, and as a recruit company commander at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. He also worked in engineering roles at both Sector Mobile in Alabama and Station Belle Isle in Michigan.
Change in Senior Enlisted Leadership
Waldron’s promotion will mark the conclusion of Master Chief Heath Jones’s tenure, who has held the post since 2022. Jones became the 14th master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard shortly after Adm. Linda Fagan was nominated as commandant. He previously served as her senior enlisted adviser in the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area.
The master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard serves as the top enlisted adviser to the commandant. The post is typically a four-year appointment and plays a vital role in representing the interests of the service’s enlisted personnel, both active and reserve, as well as their families.
Leadership selection for this position involves substantial input from the commandant. The timing of Waldron’s appointment comes amid leadership transitions at the highest levels of the Coast Guard. Adm. Linda Fagan was dismissed by the Trump administration earlier in 2025, and Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday has been serving as acting commandant since January.
Legacy of Service in the Coast Guard
Pending Senate confirmation, Lunday is expected to be formally named commandant. In the meantime, his endorsement of Waldron signals confidence in the new senior enlisted leader’s ability to guide the enlisted ranks through this transitional period. Waldron’s deep ties to the Coast Guard include a family legacy. He is a second-generation Coast Guardsman; his father, Capt. Phillip Waldron (retired) served with distinction before transitioning to a civilian role as city manager in Plant City, Florida. This connection highlights a generational commitment to public service.
Throughout his 26-year career, Waldron has received multiple commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and four Achievement Medals. His military honors also include the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, acknowledging his operational deployments.
Role Reflects Commitment to All Coast Guard Personnel
The July 25 ceremony in Alexandria will mark more than just a change in leadership; it will also reflect the continuity of service and dedication that defines the Coast Guard’s enlisted force. Waldron’s career and qualifications exemplify the broad responsibilities of the role he is about to undertake.
As the top enlisted adviser, Waldron will be charged with ensuring the voice of the enlisted force is heard at the highest levels of command. That includes shaping policy, supporting personnel's wellbeing, and serving as a visible leader across the service's operations. With his extensive operational background and leadership experience from field units to training centers, Waldron brings a deep well of knowledge and credibility to this new assignment. His selection underscores the importance of steady leadership during a time of institutional change.
