Command Master Chief Nicholas Bernice, USCGR, assumed the duties of Reserve Command Master Chief for Atlantic Area in May of 2024. As the reserve command senior enlisted leader for LANTAREA, Master Chief Bernice advises the Area Commander on all reserve related matters. His previous billets include; Sector Southeastern New England as the Reserve Command Master Chief, Coast Guard Liaison to the USCIS at Sector Key West - Operation Vigilant Sentry, Coast Guard Headquarters in the Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) as the service’s first Reserve Force Management Coordinator for the Boatswain’s Mate Rating, Education Director - Operation Allies Welcome - Task Force Liberty at Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst, Reserve Training Chief at CG Station Sandy Hook, Reserve Section Leader and Coxswain at CG Station New York, and he began his military career in the Student Reserve Program at CG Group New York on Governors Island. He has held certifications as a Boarding Team Member, Incident Command Division/Group Supervisor and Liaison Officer, and has served as a Boat Crewmember, Coxswain, and Tactical Coxswain on multiple boat types for over two decades. He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course in New London, CT, Chief Petty Officer Academy (Class President) in Petaluma, CA, Boatswain’s Mate-A School in Yorktown, VA, and was a member of Recruit Company B-147.
Master Chief Bernice’s awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, three CG Commendation Medals, DOT 9/11 Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, and Station New York and Activities New York Reservist of the Year. Master Chief Bernice was awarded two CG Achievement Medals for superior performance of duty on, and year following, September 11, 2001. He has earned both the Permanent Coxswain and the Advanced Boat Forces Devices.
Master Chief Bernice has been conferred four college degrees including; a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University, a Master of Science from Ramapo College, a Master of Arts from St. Peter’s University, and a Doctor of Education from St. John’s University. Dr. Bernice’s civilian occupation is that of an educator. He has held tenure as a High School Teacher of Science and Middle School Principal. He has also served on the part-time faculty as an Adjunct Professor at Ramapo College, and St. John’s and William Paterson Universities. Dr. Bernice was recognized by the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Education as an Exemplary Secondary Educator, and was awarded the distinction of New Jersey’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.
In his free time, Dr. Bernice enjoys both flying airplanes and flight instructing. He is an FAA Certified Airline Transport Pilot for both single and multi-engine land airplanes, and holds commercial privileges for single engine seaplanes. He also holds flight instructor certificates for single and multi-engine airplanes, as well as instrument instruction. These skills are routinely offered to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary’s AUXAIR program.