Steven W. Cantrell Explained

Steven W. Cantrell
Allegiance:	United States
Serviceyears:	1983–2018
Rank:	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Awards:	Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal (2)

Steven W. Cantrell previously served as the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. He was relieved, and retired from active duty on May 17, 2018, after nearly 35 years of service. Prior to being named the 12th MCPOCG, he was Command Master Chief of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia. Cantrell was also the Coast Guard's 12th Silver Ancient Mariner, an honor bestowed upon the enlisted member holding the enlisted cutterman qualification the earliest. Cantrell was succeeded by MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden.

Assignments

After enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1983, Cantrell served in a number of positions, including:^[1]

• Command Master Chief of Atlantic Area, Portsmouth, Virginia
• Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard
• Command Master Chief of the Eighth Coast Guard District, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Officer in Charge, Station Panama City Beach, Florida
• Command Master Chief of the First Coast Guard District, Boston, Massachusetts
• Officer in Charge, Station Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
• Officer in Charge, Station Alexandria Bay, New York
• Officer in Charge, Station Harbor Beach, Michigan
• Operations Petty Officer, Station Barnegat Light, New Jersey
• Officer in Charge, Coast Guard Cutters Ridley and Point Wells, Montauk, New York
• Executive Petty Officer, Coast Guard Cutter Point Camden, Santa Barbara, California
• Coast Guard Cutter Confidence, Port Canaveral, Florida
• Coast Guard Cutter Patoka, Greenville, Mississippi
• Coast Guard Cutter Rambler, Charleston, South Carolina

Education

MCPOCG Cantrell holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Business Administration. Among numerous service schools, he attend and was a graduate of Class 45 at the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy and National Defense University's Keystone Joint Senior Enlisted Leader Course.

Awards and decorations

• Basic Boat Force Operations Insignia
• Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent)
• Coxswain Insignia
• Officer-in-Charge Afloat Pin
• Officer-in-Charge Ashore Pin
• Commandant Staff Badge
• Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Badge

	Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
	Legion of Merit
	Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star
	Coast Guard Commendation Medal with "O" device
	Coast Guard Achievement Medal with one silver and two gold award stars and "O" device
	Commandant's Letter of Commendation with one gold award star and "O" device
	Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with "hurricane" device
	Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award with one gold award star and "O" device
	Coast Guard Unit Commendation with "O" device
	Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with two gold award stars and "O" device
	Meritorious Team Commendation with one gold award star and "O" device
	Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
	Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal with one silver and three bronze service stars
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	Transportation 9-11 Ribbon
	Special Operations Service Ribbon with 1 bronze service star
	Sea Service Ribbon with 3 bronze service stars
	Expert Rifle Marksmanship Medal
	Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal

• 8 gold Service Stripes.

Notes and References

1. Armstrong. Lauren. Meet Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Steven Cantrell. FRA Today. July 2014. 18–22. 14 August 2014.