Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and now Space Force, but wait, is something missing? The often afterthought branch of the Armed Services, the U.S. Coast Guard, recently brought relevance, camaraderie, and a unique professional development experience to MSgt Chad Hardesty of the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron in the form of the Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Academy (SCPOA) in Petaluma, California.
MSgt Hardesty was beyond thrilled when he was selected for the rare opportunity to attend a sister-service Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy. According to Hardesty and others familiar with the process, the percentage of SNCOs who are able to attend another branch’s senior enlisted academy is very small. As a relatively new transplant to Minot AFB, Hardesty was shocked when his commander and senior enlisted leader called him with the news. He described feeling “overwhelmed with emotion” that his leadership believed in him enough, despite his short time on station, to recommend him for such a prestigious opportunity after previous leadership told him it wasn’t a possibility.
Why the Coast Guard? When asked why he chose the Coast Guard, Hardesty reflected on his first deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in 2009. During that assignment, his unit worked alongside a Coast Guard maritime swimming unit that specialized in waterborne operations. He had the chance to observe their tactics and leadership style firsthand and was especially struck by their positive, supportive command climate. “I just really liked being in that environment,” he said.
That early experience planted a seed: a long-standing goal to one day work more closely with the Coast Guard.
While attending the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Academy, Hardesty said what stood out most was the sense of inclusion and camaraderie. Despite being one of only a few non–Coast Guard service members in attendance, he never felt like an outsider.
He spoke enthusiastically about the culture of respect within the Academy. “There’s just big respect for respect,” he said, explaining that Coast Guardsmen don’t merely talk about their core values, they actively live them.
One of the most meaningful traditions he experienced was the “Chief’s Mess,” a longstanding leadership institution within the Coast Guard. In the Coast Guard, a Chief Petty Officer (E-7), Senior Chief (E-8), and Master Chief (E-9) make up the Chief’s Mess (roughly equivalent to senior NCO leadership in the Air Force). Though not a Coast Guardsman, Hardesty was awarded the title of “Honorary Chief,” granting him the privilege of participating in this respected forum. He described it as a tradition rich in history, pride, and unity. It was a space where leadership, mentorship, and camaraderie intersect in a powerful way.
Hardesty’s appreciation for the Coast Guard extends beyond the Academy. He shared that he carries the symbolism of the Coast Guard anchor with him daily, though not visibly on his Air Force uniform, in accordance with Air Force regulations. With a laugh, he admitted that while he is incredibly proud to be an Airman, if he could go back in time – knowing what he knows now – he might have given the Coast Guard a second look.
Reflecting on the opportunity, MSgt Hardesty hopes his experience encourages other Airmen to keep pushing toward their goals. “You can be told ‘no,’” he said. “But never stop knocking on that door, because you never know when someone will open it and say ‘yes.’”
