COMMANDER

SECTOR NORTH CAROLINA

CAPT Matthew J. Baer

Captain Baer entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in July 1994, graduating with his degree and commission in May 1998.  Prior to executing his current orders as Commander of Sector North Carolina, Captain Baer completed various operational and staff tours of duty, including assignments as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC DILIGENCE (WMEC 616) in Wilmington, NC; Operations Officer aboard USCGC JUNIPER (WLB 201) in Newport, RI; Operations Officer at Group Hampton Roads, VA; Commanding Officer of Station Seattle; Program Reviewer in the CG Headquarters Office of Budget and Programs (CG-821); Assignment Officer at PSC-OPM-2; Commanding Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay (91108) in Saint Marys, GA; Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC; and Chief of Response at Sector Charleston.  He also earned a Master’s of Public Administration degree, graduating from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2008.

Captain Baer’s personal decorations include the permanent Advanced Boat Forces Insignia, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (3 awards), 9-11 Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal (2 awards), and numerous other service, unit, and team awards.  He is a recipient of the Department of Transportation “Secretary’s Partnering in Excellence” Award, the Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces “Soul of the Service” Award, and served on the Commandant’s Leadership Advisory Council from 2006-2010.  Captain Baer was advanced to the rank of Honorary Chief Petty Officer in November 2017.  His assignments, promotions, and awards earned are a humble tribute to and truly reflective of the tremendous shipmates, leaders, and interagency partners he has had the honor of serving alongside throughout his entire career.

A native of Bedford, PA, Captain Baer is married to the love of his life and best friend, Lindsay.  They married in 2001, having met in 1998 in Wilmington, NC.  They have two children, Grace Elizabeth (15) and Samuel William (13).  The Baer Family loves the beach, the mountains, boating, hiking, John Wayne, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, the Boston Red Sox, college football, and watching whatever sport Grace and Sam are playing, including volleyball and soccer.

 Sector North Carolina 2018 Strategic Priorities

Command Philosophy