# Jason M. Vanderhaden

Jason M. Vanderhaden is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Coast Guard who served as the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from May 17, 2018 to May 19, 2022. As MCPOCG, Vanderhaden served as the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard on all enlisted personnel matters. As a matter of protocol, this gave him precedence equal to that of a three-star officer (vice admiral).

## Assignments

Since enlisting in the Coast Guard in May 1988, MCPOCG Vanderhaden has served in a number of positions, including:
* Command Master Chief, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support (DCMS), Washington, DC
* Command Master Chief, Pacific Area, Alameda, CA
* Command Master Chief, 13th Coast Guard District, Seattle, WA
* Command Master Chief, Coast Guard Base Honolulu, Honolulu, HI
* Instructor, Chief Petty Officer Academy, Petaluma, CA
* USCGC Reliance, Portsmouth, NH
* Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, FL
* USCGC Active, Port Angeles, WA
* Air Station Humboldt Bay, McKinleyville, CA
* USCGC CHEYENNE, St. Louis, MO
* Air Station Clearwater, Clearwater, FL
* Coast Guard Loran Station Iwo Jima
* Coast Guard Food Service Specialist "A" School, Petaluma, CA
* Coast Guard Station Jones Beach, Freeport, NY
* Coast Guard Recruit Basic Training, Cape May, NJ

## Education

Vanderhaden is a graduate of Class 114 of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, the National Defense University’s Keystone Command Joint Senior Enlisted Leader Course, the Harvard Kennedy School Leadership in Homeland Security Course and other service-related schools. Vanderhaden holds a Bachelor of Science from Excelsior University. Vanderhaden is also a graduate of the International Academy of Gourmet Chefs where he was honored to be Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2018.

## Family

Vanderhaden and his wife have two adult children who are both currently serving in the United States Coast Guard.

## Awards and decorations

| Insignia | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) | Enlisted Cutterman Insignia (permanent) |
| 1st row | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal | Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal |
| 2nd row | Legion of Merit | Legion of Merit | Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star | Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star | Coast Guard Commendation Medal with two gold award stars and "O" device | Coast Guard Commendation Medal with two gold award stars and "O" device |
| 3rd row | Coast Guard Achievement Medal with three gold award stars and "O" device | Coast Guard Achievement Medal with three gold award stars and "O" device | Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon | Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon | Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with hurricane device | Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with hurricane device |
| 4th row | Department of Homeland Security Outstanding Unit Award | Department of Homeland Security Outstanding Unit Award | Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award | Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award | Coast Guard Unit Commendation with three gold award stars and "O" device | Coast Guard Unit Commendation with three gold award stars and "O" device |
| 5th row | Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with three gold award stars and "O" device | Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with three gold award stars and "O" device | Meritorious Team Commendation with three gold award stars | Meritorious Team Commendation with three gold award stars | Coast Guard "E" Ribbon with two gold award stars | Coast Guard "E" Ribbon with two gold award stars |
| 6th row | Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation | Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation | Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal with two silver service stars | Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal with two silver service stars | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
| 7th row | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Transportation 9-11 Ribbon | Transportation 9-11 Ribbon |
| 8th row | Special Operations Service Ribbon with one service star | Special Operations Service Ribbon with one service star | Sea Service Ribbon with two service stars | Sea Service Ribbon with two service stars | Restricted Duty Ribbon | Restricted Duty Ribbon |
| 9th row | Overseas Service Ribbon | Overseas Service Ribbon | Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device |
| Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia | Advanced Boat Force Operations Insignia |
| Badge | Commandant Staff Badge | Commandant Staff Badge | Commandant Staff Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Badge | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Badge |
* 8 gold service stripes.