Military Entrance Processing Station

Lieutenant Commander Chaning D. Burgess

United States Coast Guard
Miami Military Entrance Processing Station

Lieutenant Commander Chaning D. Burgess is the commander of the Miami Military Entrance Processing Station.

Lieutenant Commander Burgess enlisted in the United States Army in 1989 and was stationed with field artillery units as a cannon fire direction specialist at Fort Sill, Okla., Fort Bragg, N.C., Friedberg, Germany, and Kuwait. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1996 and was assigned to Recruiting Office Greensboro, N.C. He graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 1998 with a bachelor of arts degree. He attended Officer Candidate School at the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., and received his commission in 1999. Lieutenant Commander Burgess’ first assignment as an officer was at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command, New Orleans where he served as administration and education services officer from July 1999 to June 2001. He transferred to Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans in June 2001 where he served as assistant operational planning chief, command duty officer, marine salvage and fire fighting coordinator, and marine inspector. In July 2005, he transferred to Coast Guard Sector Miami where he served as a Waterways Division chief, assistant U.S. Vessels Branch chief and Foreign Vessels Inspection team leader. In July 2008, Lieutenant Commander Burgess was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, Office of Vessel Activities, where he served as the designated representative for the Environmental Compliance Program, which oversees companies that have been prosecuted by the Department of Justice for environmental crimes. His most recent assignment was at Coast Guard Sector Miami where he was responsible for the safety and security of vessels and protection of the environment in and around 400 miles of waterways and coastline stretching throughout South Florida. He assumed command of the Miami Military Entrance Processing Station in June 2012.

His professional military education includes Cannon Fire Direction School, Officer Candidate School, Education Services and Test Control Officer School, Public Affairs and Civil Rights Officer and Facilitator Course, Advanced Firefighting and Maritime Security Course, Marine Inspector and Welding Inspector Course, Passenger Vessel and Chemical Training, Gas Ship Examiner Course, and Boarding and Officer Aids to Navigation Course. He earned an associate of science degree from Guilford Technical Community College and a bachelor of arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University.

Lieutenant Commander Burgess’ military awards and decorations include two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Army Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, and numerous unit and service medals and ribbons. He has also earned the Marine Safety Insignia.