Steven W. Cantrell previously served as the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. He was relieved, and retired from active duty on May 17, 2018, after nearly 35 years of service. Prior to being named the 12th MCPOCG, he was Command Master Chief of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia. Cantrell was also the Coast Guard's 12th Silver Ancient Mariner, an honor bestowed upon the enlisted member holding the enlisted cutterman qualification the earliest. Cantrell was succeeded by MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden.
Assignments After enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1983, Cantrell served in a number of positions, including:
Command Master Chief of Atlantic Area, Portsmouth, Virginia Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Command Master Chief of the Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, Louisiana Officer in Charge, Station Panama City Beach, Florida Command Master Chief of the First Coast Guard District, Boston, Massachusetts Officer in Charge, Station Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Officer in Charge, Station Alexandria Bay, New York Officer in Charge, Station Harbor Beach, Michigan Operations Petty Officer, Station Barnegat Light, New Jersey Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Cutters Ridley and Point Wells, Montauk, New York Executive Petty Officer, Coast Guard Cutter Point Camden, Santa Barbara, California Coast Guard Cutter Confidence, Port Canaveral, Florida Coast Guard Cutter Patoka, Greenville, Mississippi Coast Guard Cutter Rambler, Charleston, South Carolina
Education MCPOCG Cantrell holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Business Administration. Among numerous service schools, he attend and was a graduate of Class 45 at the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy and National Defense University's Keystone Joint Senior Enlisted Leader Course.
Awards and decorations Basic Boat Force Operations Insignia Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) Coxswain Insignia Officer-in-Charge Afloat Pin Officer-in-Charge Ashore Pin Commandant Staff Badge Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Badge Coast Guard Distinguished Service MedalLegion of MeritMeritorious Service Medal with one gold award starCoast Guard Commendation Medal with "O" deviceCoast Guard Achievement Medal with one silver and two gold award stars and "O" device Commandant's Letter of Commendation with one gold award star and "O" deviceCoast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with "hurricane" device Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award with one gold award star and "O" deviceCoast Guard Unit Commendation with "O" device Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with two gold award stars and "O" device Meritorious Team Commendation with one gold award star and "O" deviceCoast Guard Bicentennial Unit CommendationCoast Guard Good Conduct Medal with one silver and three bronze service starsNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalTransportation 9-11 RibbonSpecial Operations Service Ribbon with 1 bronze service starSea Service Ribbon with 3 bronze service starsExpert Rifle Marksmanship MedalExpert Pistol Marksmanship Medal 8 gold Service Stripes.
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