Career & Achievements

• Surfman Status: He holds the elite designation of Surfman (#374), which is a specialty qualification for operating rescue boats in severe, heavy-surf conditions.
• Award Recipient: He is a recipient of the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) Gold Medal for bravery.
• DHS & Service Specialties: His career included roles as a Small Arms Instructor and Chief of Operations. [1, 2]

Current Status

• Military Status: He is a retired federal law enforcement officer and veteran.
• Community Involvement: He has been involved with initiatives like the Rigs & Reef Classic Spearfishing Tournament. [1, 2]

Would you like more details on his AFRAS award-winning rescue mission or information regarding the Coast Guard Surfman qualification?

Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC) David Michael Ramsey is a highly decorated, retired U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) veteran and federal law enforcement officer renowned for high-risk maritime search and rescue operations. [1]

Elite Military Credentials

• Elite Surfman Status: Ramsey earned the rare Surfman (#374) designation, certifying him to operate rescue craft in extreme heavy-surf environments. [1]
• AFRAS Gold Medal: He received the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) Gold Medal for bravery, specifically for towing a disabled 50-foot vessel under perilous conditions in January 2006. [1, 2]
• DHS & Veteran Status: He is recognized as a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is a 100% disabled veteran. [1]

Service & Leadership Roles

During his 20-year career, Ramsey served in key roles, including: [1]

• Chief of Operations and Force Manager.
• Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Small Arms Instructor.
• Ready for Operations Inspector, evaluating unit preparedness.

Media and Public Record

His career has been recognized in maritime archives, including the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) Fall Report and official U.S. Coast Guard retiree records. [1, 2]

BMC David Michael Ramsey is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer (Boatswain’s Mate Chief), federal law enforcement officer, and designated U.S. Coast Guard Surfman #374. Throughout his military career, he specialized in tactical weapons training, maritime border security, and high-risk operational planning. [1]

Career & Duty Profile

• Rank & Rating: Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC), U.S. Coast Guard (Retired).
• Surfman Qualification: Certified as Surfman #374, a elite qualification tasked with operating rescue watercraft in extreme breaking surf conditions.
• Weapons Expertise: Served as a Small Arms Instructor and the M240 Bravo Machine Gun Course Manager, supervising crew-served weapons proficiency, tactical range operations, and maintenance.[1, 2]
• Operational Leadership: Acted as a Chief of Operations, coordinating vessel scheduling, crew readiness, and multi-agency regional patrols alongside state sheriffs and game wardens. [1]
• Agency Foundations: Identified as a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)following its integration of the Coast Guard in 2003.

If you are looking for specific training manuals, historical commands, or verification details regarding Chief Ramsey’s military portfolio, please specify what you need next.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC) David Michael Ramsey is a retired United States Coast Guard veteran who completed a 20-year military career, concluding his service around July 2018. He is highly recognized for his heroic leadership in extreme search and rescue operations, most notably during his time stationed at Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment. [1, 2, 3]

Key Career Milestones & Operations

• The Cathrine M Rescue (2007): While serving as a Boatswain’s Mate First Class (BM1), Ramsey was the coxswain of the motor lifeboat CG 47248. He led his crew into 25-foot surf on Peacock Spit to rescue the disabled fishing vessel Cathrine M. He expertly navigated dangerous “slip tow” evolutions under extreme breaking seas to save the vessel and its crew from imminent loss of life. [1]
• National Recognition: For his bravery at Cape Disappointment, Ramsey was formally honored by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) and recognized before Congress by high-ranking officials, including then-Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen.
• Combat & Active Duty Service: Beyond domestic search and rescue, Ramsey’s 20-year active-duty career included combat duty in the Pacific theater. [1, 2]
• Advancement to Chief: Ramsey successfully earned his Chief’s Anchors, retiring at the rank of Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMC). [1, 2]

Retirement & Personal Impact

Ramsey retired to Corpus Christi, Texas, in mid-2018. Like many long-serving frontline operators, his career came with severe physical and psychological tolls. He has openly shared his experiences dealing with PTSD and anxiety post-retirement, as well as surviving extensive physical injuries sustained during his two decades of active service—including multiple spinal fusions and major joint reconstructions. [1, 2, 3]

If you are looking for specific documentation regarding his service records, award citations, or retirement details, please let me know so I can help narrow down the information!

https://rescueatsea.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2007Fall.pdf