The Comparative Defense Studies Program presents

The Military Technology Series: Number 10

with Captain Charles L. Cashin, III, United States Coast Guard

Moderated by Dr. Stephanie Neuman, Director, Comparative Defense Studies Program and Member, SIWPS

The United States Coast Guard is responsible for monitoring more than 3.4 million square miles of oceans, lakes and rivers. Considering more than 50% of Americans live within 50 miles of the coast, 90% of world trade is conducted in the maritime domain and over 2.2 trillion dollars of wages are generated by Americans working in the maritime region, it is hard to find someone not reliant upon the effectiveness of strong maritime governance. Technology is critical to the Coast Guard’s ability to execute its missions. But technology also comes at a cost that must be balanced to ensure the best return on taxpayer investment.

Capt Cashin currently serves as the Coast Guard Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. He specializes in cyber threats, maritime governance and Arctic issues. Prior to joining CFR, Capt Cashin served as the Commanding Officer and member of the commissioning crew of Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON. The National Security Cutter class represents the most advanced and capable cutter in Coast Guard history and is the centerpiece of the Coast Guard’s modernized fleet.  These ships are capable of extended, worldwide deployment in support of homeland security and defense missions. He has served aboard seven cutters, commanding three of them. Conducting operations across the globe, Capt Cashin has experience with every Coast Guard mission including law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and defense operations. These efforts are highlighted by security operations protecting the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal at Valdez following the attacks of September 11th, deployments to the Far-East in support of United Nations’ conventions and the Middle-East conducting counter-piracy, narcotics and terrorism operations. Capt Cashin specializes in national policy with a focus toward counterterrorism, homeland and cyber security. He previously served as Vice President Biden’s Special Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. In this capacity, Capt Cashin collaborated across the Intelligence Community and Interagency to provide Executive Leadership with timely counsel and policy recommendations for issues both foreign and domestic. Capt Cashin is a 1988 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University and a Master of National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. He is a native of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Capt Cashin and his family reside in New York City.

The Military Technology Series is sponsored by the Comparative Defense Studies Program, an affiliate of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.  It is designed to help bridge the gap between the theoretical concerns of academia and the applied field of military technology.