COMMANDING OFFICER
CDR THOMAS E. ADAMS
Commander Adams is a native of Springfield, Illinois and enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1990. Upon graduation from bootcamp he was assigned to the 49th “Lone Star” Armored Division and assigned as a gunner on the M60A3 Main Battle Tank and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Moving to Florida in 1992 he transitioned to the Coast Guard Reserve and served as a boat crew member, coxswain and boarding officer at Station St. Petersburg, Florida and Station Cortez, Florida. He was mobilized immediately after 9-11 to provide force protection and conduct positive control boardings as part of the Sea Marshal program in the Tampa Bay area. After achieving the rank of Chief Boatswain Mate, he was selected for a commission and became an officer in 2002.
As an officer, Commander Adams has served two tours with Port Security Unit 307, Clearwater, Florida filling the roles of Weapons Officer, Assistant Shoreside Security Division Officer, Shoreside Security Division Officer, Waterside Security Division Officer, Engineering Department Head and Operations Department Head. Deployments with the unit include supporting OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2002), OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait (2003), HURRICANE KATRINA, New Orleans, Louisiana (2005), OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2010) and OPERATION NEW DAWN, Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait (2011). Commander Adams other assignments include serving as weekend supervisor and lead boarding officer, Sector Saint Petersburg, Florida and Maritime Desk Watch Officer in the Joint Operation Center, United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. His latest assignment was serving as the Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Element, Joint Transportation Reserve Unit, United States Transportation Command (US TRANSCOM), Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Commander Adams has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals w/operational distinguishing device, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, four Coast Guard Achievement medals (w/operational distinguishing device), an Army Achievement Medal, two Commandant’s Letter of Commendation (w/operational distinguishing device), and numerous other personal and unit awards. He also has earned the Advanced Boat Forces, Coxswain and Port Security Unit insignias. He has been married for 31 years to his wife Terri and they have two children, Zakary and Emilee. Commander Adams and his wife currently reside in Wesley Chapel, Florida and he has been employed for the past 25 years by the Pasco County School Board where has taught all levels of mathematics at both the middle school and high school levels.