EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LCDR Jose J. Castro
Lieutenant Commander Castro enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 2002. After completing boot camp at Training Center Cape May, he reported to Station Cape Charles, Virginia where he became fully qualified within 1 year before reporting for Gunners Mate ‘A’ School.
LCDR Castro reports from United States Southern Command J7/9 International Exercises and Coalition Affairs Directorate serving as the Maritime C3 Track Lead for International TRADEWINDS Exercise, a multinational regional exercise that develops Caribbean Partner Nations capacity & capabilities to counter transnational organized crime & stabilize the Western Hemisphere. His previous assignments include Training Officer/ Response Member at the Atlantic Strike Team,
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst; Shoreside Security Officer at Port Security Unit 301 (deployed in support of OPERATON ENDURING FREEDOM); Sector Boarding Team Division Officer at Sector Delaware Bay, Philadelphia, PA; MLE-FP Tactical Operator/ Boarding Officer at Maritime Safety and Security Team 91106, New York, NY; and Armory/ Response Boarding Team at Sector San Juan, PR.
In 2018, LCDR Castro served as the only US Liaison onboard the Columbian Naval vessel ARC Punta Ardita, with an embarked Panamanian Boarding Team for international Operation Orion II. Fostering international cooperation and information sharing with 17 other countries led to a successful campaign seizing 32 tons of narcotics and nearly 1.5 million US dollars.
LCDR Castro holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & History from Rutgers University. He attended American Military University for a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. He has earned the PSU Insignia and Tactical Law Enforcement Team Insignia. LCDR Castro’s other awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, US Army Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals as well as other various unit and personal awards.
In his civilian career LCDR Castro is a Supervisory Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security overseeing a Ground Based Operations squad. He served as an Academy Instructor, Field Office Liaison, Critical Incident Response Team member, and served on the inaugural FAM Jump Team to assist the USSS on Candidate Nomination Operations serving throughout the 2020 presidential election season. In addition, he served in support of Operation Allies Welcome, deployed to the Southwest Border, & was assigned to the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center. LCDR Castro enjoys running and spending time with his wife and 2 kids.
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