Jim Howe Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) works in the homeland security arena. Prior to his recent retirement, he served for three years as the Chief of Coast Guard Congressional Affairs, overseeing all Coast Guard activity related to Capitol Hill. He has extensive experience with the Coast Guard serving as a career Cutterman, with 11 years at sea. Prior to his assignment as Chief of Congressional Affairs, Captain Howe served in the Office of the Vice President as a Special Advisor for homeland security, focusing on border and transportation security issues. The Proceedings [4] author and USNI editorial board member is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. His academic accomplishments include having earned a master of arts degree in Government from Harvard University, and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the Marine Corps War College.