Rear Admiral Raymond assumed the duties of Commander, Coast Guard Force Readiness Command in September 2021. He is responsible for 41 subordinate units in 17 states impacting every Coast Guard mission to deliver mission-ready forces superior performance-based training, career development, education, leader development, and readiness assessments. Prior to this assignment, Rear Admiral Raymond served as the Chief of Congressional and Governmental Affairs for the U.S. Coast Guard. In this role, he was responsible for leading the Coast Guard’s external engagement with Congress and promoting the Coast Guard’s legislative agenda.
Rear Admiral Raymond is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia and graduated with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1991. He received his Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College, College of Naval Command and Staff. Rear Admiral Raymond is a Cutterman and his afloat assignments include Deck Watch Officer on Coast Guard Cutter NORTHLAND (WMEC 904) in Portsmouth, Virginia; Executive Officer of Coast Guard Cutter ATTU (WPB 1317) in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter SAPELO (WPB 1314) in Key West, Florida; and Commanding Officer and Plankowner of Coast Guard Cutter SHAMAL (WPC 13) in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Rear Admiral Raymond has also served operationally ashore as the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit (MFPU) Kings Bay and the Deputy Sector Commander for Sector Puget Sound. From 2014 – 2017, he served as the Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, where he was responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the top two-thirds of Washington State, the top third of Idaho, and all of Montana, as well as along the 125-mile long international maritime border with Canada.
In addition to his operational assignments, Rear Admiral Raymond has served in a diverse set of staff assignments. As a mid-grade officer, he completed a three-year detail with the staff for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He later returned to Capitol Hill to serve as the Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. Senate and afterwards as the Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Congressional and Governmental Affairs. He also served in the Office of Intelligence at Coast Guard Headquarters and as the Coast Guard Military Assistant to the Director of Net Assessment, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. From 2017 – 2019, he served as the Executive Assistant to the 30th and 31st Vice Commandants of the U.S. Coast Guard, assisting them in carrying out their duties as the Vice Service Chief, Chief Operating Officer, and Component Acquisition Executive.
Rear Admiral Raymond’s military awards include three Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and campaign awards.