Captain Chris Sinnett reports to Eagle after completing two years on the Atlantic Area Staff in Portsmouth, Virginia. His first year there was as Chief of the Operations Oversight Branch, which assigned operational cutter and aviation forces to prosecute the full range of Coast Guard missions. During his second year there he stood up the newly created External Affairs Division, which brought the disciplines of Governmental Affairs, International Affairs and Public Affairs into one office for the first time.

Captain Sinnett’s previous afloat assignments include Student Engineer aboard USCGC Taney (WHEC 37) and then Damage Control Assistant aboard USCGC Tampa (WMEC 902), both in Portsmouth, Virginia; Executive Officer of USCGC Naushon (WPB 1311) in Ketchikan, Alaska; Commanding Officer of USCGC Manitou (WPB 1302) in Miami Beach Florida; Executive Officer of USCG Barque Eagle (WIX 327) in New London, Connecticut; and Commanding Officer of USCGC Spencer (WMEC 905) in Boston, Massachusetts.

Captain Sinnett’s shore assignments include Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative at Naval Engineering Support Unit Miami, Florida; District Seven Law Enforcement Staff in Miami, Florida; and Military Liaison Officer to the Eastern Caribbean and Senior Military Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador at the American Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Captain Sinnett is a 1983 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University in Miami, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Captain Sinnett’s personal awards include the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (four awards), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Sea Service Ribbon with three bronze stars.