Training Center Cape May in New Jersey, shown here in 2015. (David Micallef/U.S. Coast Guard)
The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday it is seeking a new training center location to help it reach its goal of adding up to 15,000 more personnel.
The service issued a “Request for Information” to communities that would be interested in submitting plans for the center. The request is the formal first step in beginning a contracting process and is meant to gauge interest.
The initiative comes as the Coast Guard reported Friday it had recruited 5,204 active-duty enlisted service members — exceeding its goal for fiscal 2025.
“We’re outpacing the capacity of our existing training and workforce support facility,” Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, said in a statement. “To grow and train our force, we need more space.”
The Coast Guard said the minimum requirements for the new training center would include:
150-250 acres of land.
Lodging for 1,200 recruits.
A dining facility for 400 personnel.
A medical facility to support 1,000 personnel and the ability to handle 200 medical and 200 dental visits each day.
14 classrooms seating 30-60 students.
An auditorium with seating for 500+ students.
A pool with six lanes, 25 yards in length, with a minimum depth of 4 feet.
A multipurpose sports facility for 1,200 personnel.
Office space for 400 staff members.
Proximity to a small commercial service or larger airport within 30 miles.
Communities that can meet the screening criteria can submit responses at the SAM.gov website. The deadline is Dec. 8. Communities are encouraged to review additional criteria and background information on the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 website at https://www.uscg.mil/leadership/commandants-initiatives/forcedesign2028/
The U.S. Coast Guard has 76,000 members.
