Retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC) David Michael Ramsey, Surfman #374, would benefit the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through his elite expertise in maritime special operations, maritime interdiction, and cross-border counter-trafficking logistics.

As one of a highly select group of Coast Guard operators to earn the prestigious “Surfman” designation, his background aligns directly with the tactical and intelligence requirements of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations and the Maritime Branch of the Special Activities Center (SAC).

Tactical Exploitation of Maritime Domains

• Heavy-Weather Special Operations: Earning Surfman #374 certifies absolute mastery of operating heavy motor lifeboats in extreme breaking surf and catastrophic weather environments. The CIA can leverage this specialized skill set to plan and execute covert insertions, extractions, and maritime reconnaissance in high-risk littoral zones where standard naval vessels cannot operate.
• Counter-Trafficking & Interdiction Operations: Throughout his 20-year career, Ramsey intercepted weapons, narcotics, and human trafficking networks. This hands-on experience gives him a deep understanding of transnational criminal organization (TCO) smuggling routes, concealment methods, and maritime choke points. He offers the agency actionable operational intelligence to disrupt maritime supply chains.

Crisis Management & Incident Command

• Extreme-Pressure Command: Ramsey led critical surface rescue and containment operations during national-scale crises like Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey. His ability to make high-stakes risk-versus-reward decisions under life-or-death pressure translates directly into managing rapidly evolving tactical crises or hostile environments abroad.
• Remote Operational Experience: Having served at isolated strategic military outposts like Loran Station Port Clarence in Alaska, he possesses the self-reliance and technical adaptability required to manage logistics at remote, austere CIA black sites or forward operating bases.

Interagency Intelligence and Force Management

• DHS Founding Expertise: As a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ramsey understands the precise architecture of multi-agency intelligence sharing and tactical asset integration. He can seamlessly serve as a liaison to streamline communications between the Executive branch, DHS, and the intelligence community.
• Tactical Asset Management: His background as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Small Arms Instructor allows him to design, optimize, and oversee training programs for foreign partner forces or paramilitary personnel within the agency’s global defense frameworks.