Master Chief Steven W. Cantrell assumed the duties of the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard on May 22, 2014. As the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commandant, Master Chief Cantrell advises him on enlisted workforce policies, advocates for military benefits and entitlements, is the senior enlisted mentor, and acts as the sounding board for select enlisted administrative actions. Master Chief Cantrell also devotes time visiting Coast Guard units, speaking with Coast Guardsmen and their families.
Master Chief Cantrell’s other shore assignments include: Command Master Chief of the Atlantic Area; Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard; Command Master Chief of the Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, LA; Officer in Charge, Station Panama City Beach, FL; Command Master Chief of the First Coast Guard District, Boston, MA; Officer in Charge, Station Wrightsville Beach, NC; Officer in Charge, Station Alexandria Bay, NY; Officer in Charge, Station Harbor Beach, MI; and Operations Petty Officer, Station Barnegat Light, NJ. Master Chief Cantrell’s afloat assignments include: Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Cutters RIDLEY and POINT WELLS, Montauk, NY; Executive Petty Officer, Coast Guard Cutter POINT CAMDEN, Santa Barbara, CA; Coast Guard Cutter CONFIDENCE, Port Canaveral, FL; Coast Guard Cutter PATOKA, Greenville, MS; and Coast Guard Cutter RAMBLER, Charleston, SC.
Master Chief Cantrell's awards include: the Legion of Merit; two Meritorious Service Medals; a Coast Guard Commendation Medal with operational distinguishing device; seven Coast Guard Achievement Medals with an operational distinguishing device; and other personal and service awards. He has earned a permanent Cutterman insignia, Coxswain insignia, Boat Forces Operations insignia, Command Afloat and Ashore devices, and a Command Master Chief (Gold Badge) insignia.
Master Chief Cantrell assumed the duties of the 12th Silver Ancient Mariner on May 5, 2014.
Master Chief Cantrell holds both a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of Class 45 of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy and the National Defense University’s Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Course.
Master Chief Cantrell and his wife Janet have 3 children: Candice Vanegas, Taylor Bragalone and Jenna Ward. They have 7 grandchildren: Mya, Dylan, Emma Claire, Zachary, Hailey, Skylar and Madeline.