RDML Charles Fosse assumed his current duties as Director, Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) West on 25 June 2021. A standing Joint Task Force, JIATF West is U.S. Indo Pacific Command’s executive agent for executing Department of Defense counterdrug activities in order to shape the theater and disrupt transnational criminal organizations that threaten U.S. interests in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. JIATF West leverages the diverse capabilities and authorities of its staff, complemented by relationships with dozens of partner nations to carry out these missions. RDML Fosse most recently served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Personnel Service Center (PSC). In that role he oversaw execution of all human resources policies and processes for the 48,000 strong Coast Guard military workforce, including recruiting, assignments, retirements and separations, promotions, and field level personnel support. He reported to PSC after serving for two years as the Executive Assistant and Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources (CG-1).
During over ten years of service at sea, RDML Fosse conducted search and rescue, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance and law enforcement missions from the North Atlantic to the Caribbean, and the Bering Sea to the Equator. He began his afloat tours serving as Operations Officer in USCGC LAUREL, a 180 foot seagoing buoy tender homeported in Mayport, Florida. His operational career continued as Weapons Officer in USCGC MELLON in Seattle, Washington, as Commanding Officer in USCGC LONG ISLAND in San Diego, California, as Executive Officer in USCGC TAMPA in Portsmouth, Virginia, and as Commanding Officer in USCGC SENECA in Boston, Massachusetts.
RDML Fosse's shore and staff assignments include Operations Center Controller at Coast Guard First District Headquarters in Boston; Performance and Training Manager of operational forces at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC; Deputy Director for Training and Evaluation at the White House Military Office; Commanding Officer of Training Center Petaluma, California; and Chief of Enlisted Personnel Management, Personnel Services Center in Washington, DC.
A native of Southern Illinois, RDML Fosse graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1992 and in 2002 earned a Master of Science degree in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. He completed a one-year fellowship with the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute in Arlington, Virginia, serving as the Coast Guard liaison and subject matter expert, linking the Institute's analysis agenda with Coast Guard program requirements, while completing Coast Guard Senior Service School requirements. He completed the Naval Postgraduate School (Center for Homeland Defense and Security) Executive Leaders Program in 2016.
His military commendations include a variety of personal, unit and service awards, as well as permanent Cutterman qualification. He earned the Presidential Service Badge for successful service in support of the President of the United States, and in 2016 was designated as an Honorary Chief Petty Officer.