USCGC Munro (WMSL 755)

James Estramonte

Captain, United States Coast Guard
Commanding Officer, U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755)

A native of Greenwich, NY, CAPT James Estramonte graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1993. After graduation, he was assigned aboard USCGC RUSH (WHEC-723) in Honolulu, HI, as a Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement Boarding Officer. During this time, he patrolled extensively in the Bering Sea and the East Pacific Ocean off the coast of South and Central America. 

From there, he was assigned to the Coast Guard Seventh District Maritime Intelligence Center, in Miami, FL, where he worked as Watch Officer/Supervisor and Post-Seizure Collections Officer. In 1999, he was assigned as Executive Officer of Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Miami, FL, where he supervised 9 Law Enforcement Detachments and 2 Deployable Pursuit Boat teams. 

CAPT Estramonte returned to sea as Operations Officer aboard USCGC CHASE (WHEC-718), in San Diego, CA, where he was in charge of the tactical and strategic deployment of the entire ship and directly led a 60 person department. From there, he was selected to the Coast Guard's financial management program and attended George Mason's School of Management, in Fairfax, VA. Upon completion of his Master in Business Administration, he was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, in Washington, DC, in the Financial Analysis division of the Assistant Commandant for Resources. 

In 2009, CAPT Estramonte once again returned to sea, and once again returned to serve aboard USCGC RUSH (WHEC-723), this time as Executive Officer. In two short years, he was able to operate in almost every part of the Pacific Ocean, from China to Panama, Alaska and the Federated States of Micronesia. RUSH also took part in the 2010 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, operating in conjunction with military units and personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. 

CAPT Estramonte’s next assignment was his first command, USCGC VIGILANT (WMEC-617), in Cape Canaveral, FL, where he patrolled extensively throughout the Caribbean Sea and led a crew of 70 personnel. 

 In 2013, CAPT James Estramonte returned to Washington, DC as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Honorable Jeh C. Johnson. Most recently, he served as a military fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).  

CAPT Estramonte has been married to his wife, Luz, for 18 years and has two children, Marissa and Bella. They reside in Alameda, CA.

Brian C. Krautler

Commander, United States Coast Guard
Executive Officer , U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755)

CDR Brian C. Krautler is the Executive Officer onboard USCGC MUNRO the Coast Guard’s sixth National Security Cutter.

A Permanent Cutterman with over 10 years of sea service in the black hulled working fleet, CDR Krautler has served in Cutters BASSWOOD, SASSAFRAS, WALNUT and BRISTOL BAY (with Aids to Navigation Barge 12001). In addition, he has served as Commanding Officer of Cutters KATMAI BAY, in Sault Sainte Marie, MI and HICKORY, in Homer, Alaska.

CDR Krautler’s shore tours include: a training tour to qualify as a Coast Guard Diver at the US Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center, Officer in Charge of MSST 91103 DET1, one of the Coast Guard’s first deployable domestic security detachments, Assistant Professor of English and Head Coach of the Men’s Lacrosse Team at the US Coast Guard Academy, and Executive Officer at Training Center Cape May.

CDR Krautler earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, with High Honors, from the US Coast Guard Academy.  He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Humanities (Literature) from California State University and a Master of Arts Degree in English from the University of Massachusetts. CDR Krautler is a licensed professional mariner, holding a USCG Master’s License for motor vessels up to 1600 Gross Registered Tons in both Ocean and Near Coastal routes.

CDR Krautler’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and other personal, unit and service awards.

CDR Krautler is married to the former Andrea Ramsay, of Plymouth, MI.  The Krautler’s have two children: Kate and James.

Leslie Hearn

Senior Chief Operations Specialist , United States Coast Guard
Command Senior Chief, U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755)

Senior Chief Leslie Hearn assumed duties as Command Senior Chief aboard USCGC MUNRO (WMSL-755) on June 21st, 2017. Her primary responsibility is to advise the Command on issues and initiatives pertaining to MUNRO crew members and their families.

Senior Chief Hearn entered active duty in 2000. After graduating boot camp, she worked for Training Center Yorktown’s International Maritime Officers Course as a non-rate. In the summer of 2001, she graduated from Radarman A-School and received orders to USCGC HAMILTON (WHEC-715) located in San Diego, CA. In 2004, she transferred to Group Los Angeles-Long Beach where she qualified as a Communications Watchstander, Situation Unit Watchstander and Operations Controller. In the spring of 2007, she advanced to Chief Petty Officer and served as the Command Center Supervisor for the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center. From June 2009 to June 2013, she served as a Communications Watch Officer at Communications Area Master Station Pacific (CAMSPAC) located in Point Reyes, California. On May 1st, 2013, she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and transferred to Yorktown, Virginia where she was an instructor at the National Search and Rescue (SAR) School. While on the SAR School staff, Senior Chief traveled to the Republic of Georgia to assist several Georgian agencies in establishing the first-of-its-kind Joint Maritime Operations Center (JMOC) along the coast of the Black Sea in Supsa, Georgia. 

Senior Chief Hearn is a proud graduate of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer’s Academy and was the recipient of the Altus Tendo Award for class CXLIX. Additionally, she graduated from the Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership Course located in New London, Connecticut in May 2015. Senior Chief Hearn’s personal awards include three Coast Guard Commendation Medals with operational distinguishing device, one Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, five Coast Guard Good Conduct medals as well as other military and service awards. 

Originally from Encinitas, California, Senior Chief Leslie Hearn is married and has three children. Senior Chief Hearn is currently attending Arizona State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences.