The Chief Petty Officers Association announced yesterday that Senior Chief Jon Ostrowski (ret.) is president-elect after a three-month campaign for new leadership. Ostrowski, who retired after a 30-year career in the Reserves and Active Duty Reserves of the U.S. Coast Guard, campaigned on a platform to grow and invigorate the membership by enhancing CPOA’s reputation, providing tangible value for members, and fostering an environment that adds value to members’ personal and professional lives.
“I am extremely honored to lead our CPOA during this exciting time. I am proud to work with our members to represent all the great work of the last 50 years and set a course for another 50. I look forward to hearing our members’ ideas and assuring that our organization serves all of our members and adapts to the many changes facing our Coast Guard,” said Ostrowski in an interview.
Currently, Ostrowski is executive director of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, a leading organization in veterans and spouse employment, a strong voice on Capitol Hill and with the Veterans Administration. He also serves as chairman, Defense Health Agency Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel, Department of Defense; board member, Joint Leadership Council, Commonwealth of Virginia; and board member, AAFES Exchange Retiree Advisory Council, United States Army.
Ostrowski started his Coast Guard career as a seamen in Port Canaveral, Fla., on the Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) Diligence, advancing to Quartermaster on CGC Escape in Charleston, S.C., where he served for three years. He then served as reserve boatswain for 26 years, serving in Port Security Units 305 and 311 with tours to Korea, Kuwait and Iraq. Ostrowski remained on active duty for 10 years after his return from Iraq in 2003, serving at the recruiting office in Lakewood, Calif.; recruiter in charge at RO Washington, D.C., and reserve recruiting supervisor at Coast Guard Recruiting Command in Washington. He also served as recruiting liaison at CG-1312, USCG Headquarters.
The CPOA, chartered in 1969, has 9,000 active, reserve, and retired Coast Guard chiefs, senior chiefs and master chiefs in addition to the Coast Guard Enlisted Association (junior enlisted members) with approximately 1,300. The organization was formed to advance the interests of the United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Corps, encouraging integrity and fidelity to the service, and fellowship within the ranks. In 1991, the Coast Guard Enlisted Association was chartered by and for junior enlisted personnel, under the auspices of the CPOA, reinforcing the Association’s motto – “In respect for those who have gone before us, and as a guide for those who follow.”
Ostrowski will preside over the organization for its 50th anniversary celebration beginning in April 2019 and will be sworn in at the CPOA annual meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., in August.
