USCGC SPENCER (WMEC 905) 


CDR Corey M. Kerns bio photo

CDR Corey M. Kerns

Commanding Officer, USCGC SPENCER (WMEC-905)

 

Commander Kerns reported to SPENCER from the Office of Naval Engineering’s Ship Design Team (CG-459) at USCG Headquarters where he served as Ship Design Manager for Future Ship Acquisition programs. This included being the Ship Design Manager for the newly established Great Lakes and Domestic Icebreaker Program and the Deputy Ship Design Manager for the Waterways Commerce Cutter Program.  

CDR Kerns enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1996 from his hometown of Harrisburg, PA. Upon graduation from boot camp, he served aboard CGC BEAR (WMEC 901) as a Seaman Apprentice and later aboard CGC VIGOROUS (WMEC 627) as a Third Class Quartermaster before being selected to attend the Naval Academy Prepatory School in Newport, R.I. After earning an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

CDR Kerns’ first officer assignment was aboard CGC VIGILANT (WMEC 617) as a student engineer. His follow-on tour led him to the Naval Officer Exchange program, where he served as the Navigation Officer aboard USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.  Other afloat assignments include Commanding Officer of CGC KEY BISCAYNE (WPB 1339) and CGC WAESCHE (WMSL 751) Engineer Officer. CDR Kerns served as the National Security Cutter (NSC) Configuration Team Lead in the Surface Forces Logistics Center. He also served as the onsite Structural Team Leader for CG-9321 NSC Program Office’s Structural Enhancement Dry-dock Availability project for CGCs BERTHOLF and WAESCHE.

CDR Kerns’ holds a Master of Science degree in Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech University.  His personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a permanent Cutterman insignia, Naval Surface Warfare Officer insignia, and numerous other personal and unit decorations.

CDR Kerns is married to Tokuko Yamazaki of Yokohama, Japan and they have three children Catherine, Asher, and Sophia.