Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMCM) Daniel Phillips assumed the duties as Command Master Chief, Sector New York, in July 2024. In this role, he serves as the senior enlisted leader and advisor to the Sector Commander for a workforce of more than 1,000 Active and Reserve Components, Civilian personnel and more than 2,000 Auxiliarists. These members support operations across the Sector, five cutters, three small boat stations, two Aids to Navigation Teams, and the Vessel Traffic Management System. A native of Mi Wuk Village, California, BMCM Phillips enlisted in the Coast Guard in August 2002 and completed recruit training in Cape May, NJ.
Prior to assuming his current role, BMCM Phillips served as the Officer in Charge of USCGC HERON in Cape May, NJ. His other command tours include Officer in Charge of CG Station Fire Island, NY (2020-2023), and CG Station Kings Point, NY (2017-2020), as well as Executive Petty Officer of CG Station Jones Beach, NY (2014-2017).
His afloat assignments began as a Seaman (SN) with the commissioning crew of USCGC PETREL in San Diego, CA, where he gained foundational skills, ultimately striking and advancing to BM3 at that unit. His afloat experience continued as a BM1 on USCGC CHINCOTEAGUE and USCGC DRUMMOND in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he played a crucial role in various missions and operations across the Caribbean Basin.
Ashore assignments that BMCM Phillips served at include CG Station Menemsha, MA, as a Heavy Weather Coxswain and Boarding Officer from 2008-2012. He also excelled at CG Station Rio Vista, CA, where he served as a Coxswain at the busiest search and rescue station in Coast Guard District 11 from 2004-2008.
BMCM Phillips earned an associate’s degree from Vincennes University. He holds a Master’s Merchant Mariner Credential for vessels up to 100 gross tons and a New York State Firefighter 1 certification. He is a graduate of the Chief Petty Officer Academy (Class 210) and the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course (Class 99).
In addition to his Coast Guard duties, BMCM Phillips has been a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Empire Hose Company in Merrick, NY, for the past six years.
BMCM Phillips enjoys the support and love of his wife, Sandra, with whom he has shared the last 20 years, and their children, Wylie, Chloe, and Ian.