Commanding Officer's Biography
Joseph Meuse
Captain, USCG
Commanding Officer, Leadership Development Center
Captain Meuse reported to the Leadership Development Center from Marine Corps War College Quantico, VA, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies and conducted advanced studies in Leadership and Ethics.
Captain Meuse is a 1998 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Government. Upon receiving his commission, Captain Meuse reported to the Coast Guard Cutter MOHAWK in Key West, Fl. There, he served as a Deck Watch Officer and unit Law Enforcement Officer, participating in numerous successful counter-drug, fisheries enforcement, and alien migrant interdiction patrols, as well as the multinational UNITAS exercise.
Upon completing that tour, Captain Meuse was selected for the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) as a Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) Officer in Charge at Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South where he earned his Deployable Team Leader qualification and Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Insignia. He led LEDET 408 on numerous counter-drug missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific aboard Allied and U.S. Navy vessels and conducted the service's first Unannounced Nighttime Boarding of the fishing vessel Recuerdo, resulting in the seizure of 9.2 tons of cocaine and the successful prosecution of its crew. Additionally, Captain Meuse and his team conducted counterterrorism operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, hunting Al-Qaeda leadership in the Arabian Gulf.
He continued his DSF career at Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) East as the Direct Action Section Team Leader earning his Assault Force Commander qualification and currently serves as the Coast Guard’s senior-most tactical operator. In 2011, he was assigned to Maritime Safety and Security Team New Orleans as the Commanding Officer. He supervised several security missions and deployments in support of National Special Security Events and Combined Task Force 151. He personally led the unit on a 6-month deployment to the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where his team provided maritime and courtroom security for the prosecution of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architects of the USS COLE bombing and the 9/11 attacks. During his most recent operational assignment, as the Commanding Officer of TACLET South, Captain Meuse oversaw 171 LEDET deployments resulting in the apprehension of 478 drug traffickers and the seizure of 121,500 kilograms of cocaine.
Captain Meuse is a leadership, accessions, and training expert. His prior staff tours include Coast Guard Academy Company Officer, International Training Division Operations Officer, and Training Center Cape May Executive Officer.
In addition to his War College degree, Captain Meuse holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Leader Development from a Joint program with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Long Island University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Distance Learning Program and is a certified Master Training Specialist. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), the CG Commendation Medal (3), the CG Achievement Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the CG Overseas Service Ribbon, and the CG Letter of Commendation.
Captain Meuse is a native of Billerica, MA. He and his wife Katie have been happily married for 21 years. They are the lucky parents of their 14-year-old son Robin.
Executive Officer's Biography
Annjea M. Cormier
Commander, USCG
Executive Officer, Leadership Development Center
As the Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Leadership Development Center in New London, Connecticut, Commander Cormier oversees the execution and delivery of 21 accredited leadership, professional development, and military indoctrination courses to more than 8,000 students annually.
Prior to reporting to the Leadership Development Center, Commander Cormier served as a Response Ashore Officer at Sector Long Island Sound where she directly managed seven small boat stations and all maritime operations along both Connecticut and Long Island, NY shorelines. As a Response Officer at the Atlantic Strike Team, she led response to numerous major natural disasters, and a 3-month international UN led operation in Italy. Commander Cormier was selected to represent the Coast Guard during a six-month industry-training program with the Department of Interior where she performed extensive research into consultation standards. Other previous assignments include USCGC TAHOMA, District One Command Center, and regional contingency planner.
Commander personal awards include four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, six Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and multiple team/unit awards, and the 2022 Harvard Distinguished Service Alumni Award.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Master of Arts in Sustainability from Harvard University, and professional certificates in both Natural Resource Management and International Policy from Harvard University.
Commander Cormier lives in Madison, CT with her husband, Christian, and their amazing son Cooper.