Episode 3 - CAPT (Ret.) John Pruitt - a podcast by CG Learning the Ropes

What a great discussion with CAPT (Ret.) Pruitt, he didn't pull any punches. Ever wondered what the TRUE keys to successful afloat leadership are? All Coasties (Cuttermen and non-Cuttermen) could gain something from this episode. Leadership 101!

CAPT (Ret.) John W. Pruitt, III, retried from active duty after 23 years of distinguished service in the Coast Guard. He is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Upon commissioning, he served as a Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC MUNRO (WHEC-724) home ported in Alameda, CA. He subsequently served as Officer-in-Charge LEDET (Law Enforcement Detachment) 5D, TACLET (Tactical Law Enforcement Team) North in Baltimore, MD, where he deployed onboard US Navy and Allied warships throughout the Caribbean and to the Persian Gulf, leading boarding teams enforcing counter-drug laws and the UN embargo of Iraq. Upon departing TACLET he commenced a tour of duty as Deputy, Systems Training Branch at C2CEN (Command and Control Communications Center), Portsmouth, VA. Upon his departure, he assumed duties as the Operations Officer aboard USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719) home ported in Alameda, CA. While assigned to BOUTWELL he deployed to Iraq for both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in 2003. Remaining in California, he assumed command of USCGC EDISTO (WPB-1313), San Diego, CA where he was responsible for patrolling the Southern Coast of California and Central America in support of the Coast Guard’s Counter-Drug, Migrant Interdiction, and Search and Rescue missions. Upon departure from EDISTO, he was assigned to the Office of Strategic Analysis (the Coast Guard’s “Think Tank”), at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC where he worked to identify and analyze significant emerging geopolitical, economic, and environmental issues and trends, seeking to understand their potential strategic impact on the U.S. Coast Guard. Also while in DC, he served as Social Aide to The President of the United States under Presidents George W. Bush and Barrack Obama. Upon departing DC, he again returned to California to serve as the Executive Officer aboard USCGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719) in Alameda, CA. In July of 2011 he assumed duties as the Commanding Officer of USCGC DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624), where he was the “Guardian of the Gulf.” In June 2013, he departed DAUNTLESS for his final tour as the Director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Motion Picture and Television Office (MOPIC) in Los Angeles, CA. MOPIC’s mission is to enhance public awareness and understanding of the U. S. Coast Guard, its people, and its missions through a cooperative effort with the entertainment industry. Due to service needs, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer of USCGC STEADFAST (WMEC-623) from March – August 2015, and returned to MOPIC in August of 2015.

Attending Old Dominion University, he was awarded a Masters of Engineering Management. He is also licensed as a Master of Vessels up to 100 Tons in the Merchant Marine.

CAPT (Ret.) Pruitt’s military awards include the Maritime Service Medal, Four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, U. S. Coast Guard and U. S. Navy Achievement Medals, Three Iraq Campaign Medals, Permanent Cutterman designation, Tactical Law Enforcement designation, and several other personal and service awards. CAPT (RET.)  Pruitt is also the recipient of the NAACP Roy G. Wilkins renowned service award and the Black Engineer of the Year Awards Modern Day Technology Leader award.

He currently works in the entertainment industry as a producer and a military consultant on projects including scripted and reality TV, documentaries, video games, and cinema for companies including 20th Century Fox, Film Nation, Original Productions, Playtone, and Ubisoft among many others. Additionally, he is a Senior Shiphandling Instructor for the US Navy in Yokosuka, Japan.

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