US Coast Guard Holds Change of Watch Ceremony for Master Chief Petty Officer

May 19, 2022

Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Karl Shultz presides over the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Change of Watch ceremony as Master Chief Heath Jones, command master chief, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, relieves Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Michelli)

Master Chief Jason M. Vanderhaden was relieved as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) by Master Chief Heath B. Jones during a military change-of-watch ceremony Thursday, at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J.

Vanderhaden also retired from the Coast Guard after 34 years of service to the nation directly following the ceremony and received the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal.

“I’m grateful for the tremendous leadership of our senior enlisted leader corps and amazing Chief’s Mess, they are truly the backbone of our service,” said Vanderhaden. “It’s been an honor to serve as the 13th MCPOCG, and I look forward to observing the great work of our next leadership team.”

Vanderhaden assumed the duties of the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard on May 17, 2018. The MCPOCG is the highest senior enlisted member of the Coast Guard and the principal advisor to the Commandant on all enlisted personnel matters.

Jones, now the service's 14th MCPOCG, previously served as the Command Master Chief for the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support at Coast Guard Headquarters.

The office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard was established by legislative action on August 27, 1969 to provide the Commandant with a personal advisor and assistant in matters affecting the enlisted members of the Coast Guard, both active and reserve, and their families. The normal tour of assignment is four years, which runs concurrently with the Commandant of the Coast Guard.