USCGC BLOCK ISLAND

GUARDIAN OF THE CRYSTAL COAST

Originally from Louisville, KY Lieutenant Grant Thomas graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Biology. In college, he was a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) on the Sewanee Fire Department and the Vice Chair of the University’s Honor Council. In the fall of 2002, he reported to Officer Candidate School and graduated as part of class 1-03 in February of 2003, the last group of officers commissioned when the Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation.

Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, LT Thomas reported aboard Coast Guard Cutter BEAR (WMEC 901) where he was initially the Weapons Officer and then First Lieutenant while also serving as a Landing Signaling Officer, Maritime Law Enforcement Boarding Officer, and Operation NEW FRONTIER over-the-horizon boat Mission Commander. In February 2005, he departed CGC BEAR to serve as the Prospective Commanding Officer for the pre-commissioning detachment of CGC TIGER SHARK (WPB 87359). In April 2005 he took delivery of the cutter in New Orleans, LA as the “plank owner” Commanding Officer and then in the summer of 2005 CGC TIGER SHARK was commissioned into active service in Newport, RI.

LT Thomas reported to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC in August of 2007 to serve as the Military Aide to the Coast Guard Chief of Staff. In July of 2008, he transferred from Coast Guard Headquarters to Coast Guard Atlantic Area Portsmouth, VA to continue serving in a military aide position.

Upon completion of his assignment at a military aide in May of 2009 he assumed command of CGC MONOMOY (WPB 1326) which is one of six Coast Guard cutters forward deployed to the Middle East under the tactical control of Naval Forces Central Command supporting Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. On 1 July 2010 he assumed command of CGC BLOCK ISLAND (WPB 1344).