Master Chief Phil Waldron assumed the duties as Command Master Chief for the 17th Coast Guard District in March 2022. His primary responsibilities are to assist and advise the 17th District Commander on the impact of existing or proposed policy pertinent to the morale and general well-being of all Coast Guard members and their families in Alaska.
In his most recent assignment, he served as Command Master Chief at Base Kodiak, AK, the service’s largest base and the senior mission support touchpoint for the Alaskan maritime region. Previous afloat assignments include Engineer Petty Officer, USCGC BUCKTHORN in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and USCGCs ADAK and WRANGELL, both of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia in Al Manama, Bahrain. His previous ashore assignments include Assistant Engineer Officer of Sector Mobile, Alabama and Station Belle Isle, Michigan, and as a Recruit Company Commander at Training Center Cape May, New Jersey.
Master Chief Waldron is a proud graduate of the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership Course, the Chief Petty Officer Academy, and numerous other service schools. He graduated summa cum laude from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, and earned an Associate in Arts degree in Supervision and Management from Coastline College.
A native of Plant City, Florida and a second-generation Coast Guardsman, Master Chief Waldron enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in August 1999. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, four Coast Guard Achievement Medals, two Commandant’s Letters of Commendation, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and numerous other personal and unit awards.
He has earned the privilege of wearing permanent Cutterman, Coxswain, Boat Forces Operations, Company Commander, and Command Master Chief (Gold and Silver Badge) insignias. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Chief Petty Officer Academy Class CCI “Spirit of the Chief” award and was selected as the 2008 USO Coast Guardsman of the Year.