1. Running head: BOOK REPORT CHARACTER IN ACTION : U.S. COAST GUARD 1
Academic Book Report on Character in Action: the U.S. Coast Guard on Leadership
James Nichols
Arkansas Tech University
Author Note
James Nichols, Department of Nursing, Arkansas Tech. University
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Jamie Earls, Department of
Emergency Management, Arkansas Tech. University, Russellville, and AR. Email:
jearls@atu.edu

2. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 2
Academic Book Report on Character in Action: the U.S. Coast Guard on Leadership
Introduction
The U.S. Coast Guard while making up less than 3% of the active duty military has
responsibility for port security, search and rescue (SAR), maritime law enforcement, homeland
security, environmental response, defense operations, aid to navigation, boating safety, maritime
inspection, marine licensing, ice operations and waterway management (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
The U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) was established in 1790 by founding father Alexander
Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and former aide de camp to General George
Washington. Hamilton charged the service to continue in Washington’s spirit and lead from the
front as the General had done during the six years of the revolutionary war (Phillips & Loy,
2003). This tradition has provided the service with a unique profile of doing more with less, a
spirit de corp unseen in other services and a level of team work absent in many other
organization (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Phillips and Loy explore the factors and philosophy of the
organization that makes the U.S. Coast Guard a model for leadership for all institutions (Phillips
& Loy, 2003).
About the Authors
Donald T. Phillips is a bestselling author of ten books including Lincoln on Leadership
and the Founding Fathers on Leadership (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Admiral James M. Loy
U.S.C.G. is a former Commandant of the Coast Guard, a former Coast Guard chief of staff, a
1964 graduate of the U.S.C.G. Academy, a recipient of the prestigious U.S. Navy League
Admiral Arleigh Burke Leadership Award for 2002 and the first administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration in 2003 (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Admiral Loy served in
Vietnam as the commander of a combat patrol boat (Phillips & Loy, 2003).

3. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 3
Summary of Content
Define the Culture and Values – Character is the key to the Coast Guard culture.
(Phillips & Loy, 2003). The U.S.C.G. focuses on developing a family atmosphere, encouraging
personal responsibility and limiting the distance in status between ranks allowing for optimal
flexibility and productivity within the organization (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Respect is a tenet of
Coast Guard leadership and serves to facilitate teamwork while reducing discrimination and
harassment. Respect is also key in helping U.S.C.G. leaders understand the impact of their
behavior on the morale of the team members and in facilitating open lines of communication
between leaders and team members at all levels (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Select the Best- When recruiting the Coast Guard searches for individuals with
intelligence, high energy, self-confidence, continual learning, compassion, courage, character
and the ability to multitask (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Participation in team sports is an indicator of
the individual’s ability to function effectively in a team and is looked for in a candidate (Phillips
& Loy, 2003).
Promote Team over Self- the U.S.C.G. trains team members to focus on attention to
detail, personal accountability, pride in work and sacrifice (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Team work
has to be taught especially to those who have high individual achievement (Phillips & Loy,
2003). The U.S.C.G.’s focus on teamwork results in loyalty and trust in the units (Phillips &
Loy, 2003).
Instill a Commitment to Excellence-U.S.C.G. cross training of personnel adds to
productivity by increasing available individuals with needed skill sets (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
The U.S.C.G. focuses on quality, empowerment and continuous improvement as keys to success

4. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 4
teaching team members to act proactively to fix what needs to be fixed at the first opportunity
(Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Eliminate the Frozen Middle- The U.S.C.G. tenet is that middle management is the
resistance to change. By creating the equivalent of chiefs or Noncommissioned officers (NCOs)
who can carry concerns of the ranks to the upper leadership organizations can ensure effective
communication up the chain of command. Eliminating ranks or hierarchy in regular meetings to
ensure communication is effective both up and down the chain of command further enhances
free and open information exchange (Phillips & Loy, 2003). By encouraging suggestions on how
to improve the process from everyone involved optimization of operations can be achieved
(Phillips & Loy, 2003). The Coast Guard instills the belief that team members must do
everything to the best of the team member’s ability every time (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Cultivate Caring Relationships – The U.S.C.G. believes that caring relationships are the
key to cohesive, effective team building (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Key benefits to caring
relationships are increased job fulfillment, positive feelings about the organization, high levels of
morale, high team member retention levels and high team motivation levels (Phillips & Loy,
2003).
Build Strong Alliances- Working with outside organizations will increase the capability
of the organization (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Strong alliances benefit the U.S.C.G. by leveraging
productivity, expanding the communication network, and shoring up weakness in the
organization and increasing team member energy / enthusiasm (Phillips & Loy, 2003). The
U.S.C.G. believes that volunteers (U.S.C.G. Auxiliary) are a very effective force multiplier and
prove to be highly motivated if treated with respect and included in the team building process
(Phillips & Loy, 2003).

5. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 5
Create an Effective Communication System- Effective communications eliminates
compartmentalization and allows one cohesive team to develop (Phillips & Loy, 2003). In the
Coast Guard daily meetings with all staff combined with daily meetings of the department heads
with upper management is the key to effective communications (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Communications should be quickly disseminated to the teams in order to lessen stress and
anxiety (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Team leaders should show a united front and discourage staff
splitting in order to put the most positive face on any development (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Make Change the Norm- the U.S.C.G. believes that to effectively change the origination
must be open minded, must encourage presentation of better ways to do things and should
involve everyone in the decision process. Explanation of the change to the team members during
the planning process and communication of the changes using multiple platforms in order to
maximize feedback is an essential part of U.S.C.G leadership doctrine (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
The Coast Guard focuses of developing a culture of innovators in order to create the optimal
outcome (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Encourage Decisiveness- Action oriented team members will demand decisions from
their superiors or will make the critical decisions themselves. The Coast Guard encourages
decentralized decision making as a way of empowering the teams and increasing the
effectiveness of response in crisis situations. Character in action goes over example after
example of leaders going outside U.S.C.G. protocol to save lives and protect the team and the
Coast Guard leadership backs these leaders in every situation reviewed (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Coast Guard doctrine states that leaders should be encouraged to anticipate events, use discretion
and make decision based on their own best judgement (Phillips & Loy, 2003).

6. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 6
Empower the Young- The U.S.C.G emphasizes that young peoples should be challenged
to step forward and take action (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Empower the young by providing
technical training, mentoring, encouragement, trust and allowing for mistakes (Phillips & Loy,
2003).
Give the Field Priority- the U.S.C.G. like Washington in the revolutionary war
emphasizes traveling with the troops and putting their interest before the officer corp. or
headquarters (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Senior officers consult field personnel about policy in the
planning stage in order to maximize buy in at an early stage (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Leverage Resources- the Coast Guard is 3% of the active duty military but accomplishes
an estimated six dollar return for every dollar spent by the taxpayer in the form of increased tax
revenue and decreased shipping losses (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Self-reliance, team work,
coalition building and encouraging input from everyone is necessary in a small organization with
the immense responsibilities of the U.S.C.G. (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Sponsor Continual Learning- Leadership and learning are comorbid (Phillips & Loy,
2003). The U.S.C.G. emphasizes is teaching people how to think and not what to think (Phillips
& Loy, 2003). It is the U.S.C.G. position that continual learning helps eliminate mistakes and
increases positive results (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Spotlight Excellence- the U.S.C.G. rewards team members who go above and beyond the
call of duty with special recognition (Phillips & Loy, 2003). Praise and encouragement at the
basic level will lead to loyalty and respect at the team level (Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Honor History and Tradition- By honoring history and tradition the U.S.C.G.’s purpose
can be defined, a sense of pride of team members can be developed, a focus on long term effects

7. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 7
of decision making can be reinforced and the character of team members can be emphasized
(Phillips & Loy, 2003).
Epilogue- The epilogue is in the form of the story of the Coast Guards response to the
911 attacks of 2001. This is the single most effective chapter of the book as the demonstration of
how the Coast Guard Units in New York and throughout the U.S. reacted in the most critical
moment in the history of America shows how the implementation of the U.S.C.G.’s leadership
strategy really works effectively to provide for tip of the spear operations in the most hostile and
confused of environments.
Strengths
The combined use of the description of the tenants of the Coast Guard leadership
tradition combined with the case studies provided as examples create an effective and
entertaining teaching device. Another strength is the brevity of the book, 178 pages.
Weakness
The weakness of the book is the brevity of the book at 178 pages. Most books don’t
deserve a sequel as this text does. This work leaves the ready wanting more.
Best Target Audience
The book is well written combining the use of description with case studies providing
almost any audience an educational and entertaining experience. The text is appropriate for
middle school through graduate school and from industry to personal recreation. The author has
written a very flexible and useful text.
Use of Book in Practice
The book would be very effective as a supplemental text for most management
classes.

8. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 8
Critique
The book is eloquently and effectively written. While not focusing on the theories it
shows how the concept of leadership can be applied affectively in critical situations.
Conclusion
This text is a must read for those who wish to lead at any level in any organization.
The leadership tenets espoused by the United States Coast Guard allow a small organization to
perform herculean task on a daily bases and to be “Semper Partus”.
Reviewer
James Nichols has a BSN from Arkansas Tech. University and a BBA and MST in
Accounting and Tax from Baylor University in Waco Texas. Nichols has worked in accounting,
insurance, finance, nursing, psychiatric nursing, computer programing, computer network
support, management, welding and aircraft manufacturing. Nichols is both a CPA and a RN.

9. ACAD. BOOK REPORT ON CHARACTER IN ACTION : THE U.S. COAST GUARD ON LEADERSHIP 9
References
Phillips, J. & Loy. J. (2003). Character in Action: The U.S. Coast Guard on Leadership.
Annapolis, MA: Naval Academy Press.