COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
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Master Chief Michael Koch
Command Master Chief
Coast Guard Heartland District
Command Master Chief Koch assumed his current post as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Eighth Coast Guard District on 06 June 2025. He is a native of Peoria, Illinois and entered the Coast Guard in August 1993.
Since completion of Basic Training in October 1993, CMC Koch has served aboard prior Queen of the Fleet USCGC ACUSHNET (WMEC-167), Ketchikan, Alaska; USCGC NANTUCKET (WPB-1316), Key West, Florida; and USCGC WIRE (WYTL-65612), Saugerties, New York, serving as Officer In Charge. Ashore assignments include: USCG Station Charlevoix, Charlevoix, Michigan; USCG Station Galveston, Galveston, Texas, serving as Officer in Charge; USCG Station Shinnecock, Hampton Bays, New York and USCG Station Eaton’s Neck, Northport, New York serving as Executive Petty Officer.
CMC Koch served as Officer In Charge aboard USCGC MORAY (WPB-87331), Jonesport, America, USCGC CORMORANT (WPB-87313)/ FINBACK (WPB 87314), Ft. Pierce, Florida. He was then assigned as the Command Master Chief for Patrol Forces South West Asia; Command Master Chief of Sector Delaware Bay; and temporary Officer In Charge of USCGC RAZORBILL (WPB-87332), Portsmouth, Virginia. CMC Koch was then nominated and selected for assignments the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Upon his return stateside, he spent 2 years as CMC for Sector Houston-Galveston, before his nomination and selection as Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa.
His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medals(3), and other awards commensurate to those with the same rank and years of service. He has earned permanent Coxswain, Cutterman, and Boat Forces (Gold and Pewter Tone) insignias. CMC Koch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, is a graduate of Chief Petty Officer's Academy (Class 139), the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course, and recently the National Defense University’s Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Course. CMC Koch received his 200-ton Master-Merchant Mariner Credential in 2013.
CMC Koch is committed to his wife and best friend, Jennifer who holds a prominent position in the medical field. They have two amazing daughters, Veda and Lexi