USCGC MIDGETT (WMSL 757)

COMMANDING OFFICER

Captain Brian R. Whisler

CAPT Brian Whisler assumed command of CGC MIDGETT on 23 May 2025 after serving as the Senior Special Assistant to the Commandant of the Coast Guard from July 2023 to April 2025. In that role he provided direct support and advice to the Commandant to operate the Service and advance policy, strategy, and outreach to Coast Guard workforce, interagency, industry, and the public. He also provided oversight on wide range of strategic initiatives, engagements, executive travel, and program management. 

During previous afloat assignments, CAPT Whisler served as Commanding Officer of CGC ALEX HALEY (WMEC 39) homeported in Kodiak, Alaska, Executive Officer of CGC DOUGLAS MUNRO (WHEC-724) in Kodiak, Alaska, Operations Officer of CGC VENTUROUS in St. Petersburg, FL, Commanding Officer of CGC BLACKFIN in Santa Barbara, CA, Executive Officer of CGC MAUI forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf, and Deck Watch Officer and First Lieutenant onboard CGC RESOLUTE, homeported in St. Petersburg, FL.

CAPT Whisler’s ashore assignments include Coast Guard Fellow to the RAND Corporation, Chief of Officer Boards and Panels at the Personnel Service Center (opm-1), Central Assignment Coordinator at the Personnel Service Center (epm-2), and Congressional Fellow and Liaison to the DHS/FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center.

CAPT Whisler holds a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, and a Joint Professional Military Education (JMPE-I) diploma from the U.S. Naval War College. A native of Littlerock, California, CAPT Whisler graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is married to the former Jennifer Campbell from Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

CAPT Whisler’s personal awards include four Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Cutterman’s Insignia, the Commandant’s Staff Badge, and various other awards.
 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Commander Donald (Scott) Stiker

CDR Donald “Scott” Stiker reported as the Executive Officer, CGC Midgett (WMSL 757), in May 2024. CDR Stiker is a career seagoing enlisted/officer Cutterman with over 20 years sea time, having served on nine cutters: Non-Rate on CGC Rush (WHEC 723), Electrician’s Mate on CGC Mallow (WLB 396), CGC White Sage (WLM 544) and CGC Staten Island (WPB 1345), Engineer Petty Officer on CGC James Rankin (WLM 555), Engineer Officer on CGC Sequoia (WLB 255), CGC Sherman (WHEC 720), and CGC Kimball (WMSL 756). In June 2023, CDR Stiker assumed the watch as the 17th Gold Ancient Mariner for the Coast Guard and June 2024 became the 83rd Master Cutterman.
 
His shore assignments include CG ANT Bristol, CG Atlantic Strike Team, Engineering Officer Group/Sector Lower Mississippi River, ISC/BSU/Base LA/LB, Sector San Juan and most recently the Program Managers’ Representative (PMR) at the Polar Security Cutter Project Resident Office (PRO).  He is a 2016 graduate from Argosy University with a B.S. in Organizational Leadership. CDR Stiker received his DHS Program Manager, Level IV, Certification in June 2022.
 

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COMMAND SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER (CSEL)  

MKC Christopher C. Chavez

Chief Petty Officer Christopher C. Chavez reported to USCGC MIDGETT (WMSL 757) in July of 2022 and is currently serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) and Chief Petty Officer of the Auxiliary Division. 
 
MKC Chavez is a Permanent Cutterman with 9 years of cumulative Sea Service and has completed tours of duty aboard ships in multiple cutter classes. His first tour was aboard the USCGC MATAGORDA (WPB 1303) out of Key West FL; a unique platform the 110’ WPB extended to 123’ with stern launch capabilities used to support migrant interdiction missions in District 07. Subsequently, he served aboard the USCGC SHERMAN (WHEC 720) out of Alameda CA, where much of his time was spent patrolling the Bering Sea and Central American region conducting search and rescue missions, combating illegal fishery activities, and conducting drug and migrant interdiction. Prior to his current assignment, MKC Chavez was also assigned to the USCGC KITTIWAKE, an 87’ patrol boat out of Honolulu, Hawaii, responsible for search and rescue, law enforcement and participated in two President of the United States security patrols. MKC Chavez’s ashore assignments include tours at MSST Honolulu, Naval Engineering Support Unit Honolulu, and standing up Base Honolulu’s Navel Engineering Department. 
 
MKC Chavez’s military decorations include: CG Cutterman Insignia, Four CG Achievement Medals, two CG Unit Commendation Ribbons, ten CG Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbons, four CG Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, five CG Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons, three CG Special Operations Service Ribbon, CG Pistol sharp shooter Ribbon, CG Rifle marksman Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, three CG Sea Service Ribbons, six CG Good Conduct Medals, Armed Forces Service Medal, DHS Outstanding Unit award, and a CG Presidential Unit Citation.

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