The Long Blue Line (Summer 2022)

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION PRE-RETIREE
COAST GUARD
PRE-RETIREE
their chain of command to participate, in
government and industry positions. The goal
is to match future employers with a talent
pool of veterans, while providing exposure
and on-the-job training to ensure it suits
the veterans’ follow-on career intent. Chief
Kneen is a Denver, CO native and was able
to indicate her desire to return to the area
and family in retirement.
USCG began participation with the launch
of Flag Voice #570 on 2 Feb 2022. The full
program is incorporated into the Service as
directed by COMDTINST 1040.7. [Note: For
a full description of the SkillBridge program,
visit skillbridge.osd.mil].
“When you’ve known only one thing your
entire adult life, leaving it all behind is
stressful, and in all honesty—scary. The fear
of the unknown can, and will, take its toll,”
said Chief Kneen. “The positive side about
leaving the military and retiring is—YOU
ARE NOT ALONE. That statement sounds so
cliché, but it’s the truth.”
Working through the USCG Retiree Mentoring
Program with Mr. Robert Hinds, the Retiree
Services Program Manager, and the
SkillBridge Program, Chief Kneen was paired
with CAPT Nathan Knapp, USCG (Ret.), who
currently works as the FEMA Liaison Officer
to NORAD & U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND in
Colorado Springs, CO and who volunteered
to serve as a participant in the Retiree
Mentoring Program. As a result, CAPT
Knapp and Chief Kneen have been working
on items such as career accomplishment
inventory, transition steps, resume writing,
self-awareness and career contentment, as
transition is a key time to “reflect to project”
and answer that “what’s next” question. As a
result of their teaming, Chief Kneen will begin
a SkillBridge internship with FEMA Region 8
(Denver, CO) External Affairs Division later
this year as she hits her 180-day mark.
“When I decided to retire, I didn’t know where
to start. I knew what I wanted, and that was to
I could not be
more grateful
to CAPT Knapp,
and the entire
Mentoring
Program. I was
never alone, and
this program
proves that.
participate in the SkillBridge program, and I
knew I wanted to continue in communication.
That was about it,” Kneen explains. “Until I
spoke with our Transitions Relocation Officer,
Mr. Robert Miller—without hesitation, he
put me in touch with CAPT Nathan Knapp
over at FEMA Region 8 in Colorado, and
my future became so much clearer. After
our first phone call, I was immediately put
at ease. CAPT Knapp is incredible and he
didn’t overwhelm me. We took it one step at
a time. When I started to get frustrated, he
would stay ‘steady pace wins the race’ and
before I knew it, I was approved for FEMA
region 8 External affairs.”
“The ability to assist our separating USCG
men and women is a way to give back to
the Service that gave so much to me, and
I’m grateful to do it, said CAPT Knapp. “Our
separating members need to appreciate
what they bring to the table for potential
employers, and if I can help take some of
the nerves out of the process for them, that’s
win-win.”
In closing, Chief Kneen summarizes, “I could
not be more grateful to CAPT Knapp, and the
entire Mentoring Program. I was never alone,
and this program proves that.”
14 SUMMER 2022
THE LONG BLUE LINE