Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Clayton (Clay) Franklin assumed the duties of Command Master Chief of the Coast Guard Northeast District in July 2026. In this role, he serves as the District Commander's principal advisor and direct representative, overseeing the daily operations and effective management of all forces throughout the Northeast District’s Area of Responsibility.
MCPO Franklin enlisted in the Coast Guard in September of 2002 and attended basic training in Cape May, N.J. Upon graduation, he received orders to USCGC HAMMERHEAD (WPB-87302) homeported in Woods Hole, MA. After striking Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class in July of 2004, he received orders to USCG Station Cleveland Harbor, OH where he served as First Lieutenant/Rescue and Survival Systems Petty Officer.
He then served as the Buoy Deck Supervisor and Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC OBION (WLR-65503) in Owensboro, KY, followed by a tour as Executive Petty Officer aboard USCGC SHEARWATER (WPB-87349) in Portsmouth, VA, where he earned his Officer in Charge certifications for both Multi-Mission and Aids to Navigation (ATON) afloat and ashore. Moving into command roles, he served as the Officer in Charge of Aids to Navigation Team Morgan City, LA, in 2014; USCGC CAPSTAN (WYTL-65601) in Philadelphia, PA, in 2017; and Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, ME, in 2020. Most recently, in 2023, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, fulfilling the role as the Command Master Chief in support of Base Cleveland, OH.
MCPO Franklin is a graduate of the Chief Petty Officer’s Academy Class CCXIX (219) and the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course in New London, CT. He is also a graduate of various service schools including Prospective Commanding Officer/Executive Officer Training and Boat Forces Command Cadre Training.
MCPO Franklin’s personal awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and a Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon, all with the operational distinguishing device. In addition to various other personal and unit level awards; he wears the Officer in Charge Afloat and Ashore Insignia, Cutterman Insignia, Coxswain Insignia, and the Advanced Boat Forces Insignia.