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Capt. Chris Austin was born in Newport, R.I., to a Navy family; he now calls Elizabeth City, N.C., home. Austin graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts and Technology. After teaching in the North Carolina and Virginia public school systems, Austin was accepted to Coast Guard Officer Candidate School and commissioned in February 1987. Austin graduated from the U.S. Naval War College non-resident program in May 2003.
Initially assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters upon commissioning, Austin obtained orders to U.S. Naval Dive and Salvage Training in Panama City, Fla., with follow-on orders as operations and dive/salvage officer on Coast Guard Cutter Basswood (WLB 388) in Guam. Austin most recently served as commanding officer on Coast Guard Cutter Northland (WMEC 904) in Portsmouth, VA. Austin’s other afloat tours include: pre-commissioning detail/first lieutenant on Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) in Key West, Fla., and operations officer and then executive officer on Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) in Portsmouth.
Austin’s ashore assignments include: surface operations/law enforcement liaison officer to director, Joint Interagency Task Force East, Key West; deputy, Atlantic Area Plans and Exercise Branch, Portsmouth; and chief, Eighth District Law Enforcement and Intelligence, New Orleans.
Austin’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with Operational Distinguishing device, Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the U. S. Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Humanitarian Service Medals, Coast Guard Operational Excellence Ribbon (four gold stars in lieu of fifth award), and various other unit awards.
Austin currently serves as chief of the Enforcement Branch for the Fifth Coast Guard District. He is married to formerly Marti Jane Spradlin of Chesapeake, Va. They have two daughters, Hannah Jane and Shelby Maren.
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