- The United States Coast Guard opened its first Leadership and Management School (LAMS) in Southeast Asia, where it trained 43 Philippine Coast Guard members from April 21 to May 2.
- Conducted at the PCG Fleet Training Center of Excellence, the program aimed at building strong maritime leaders and enhancing US-Philippines maritime cooperation.
- The LAMS course, supported by the U.S. State Department, is a benchmark for bilateral defense education and will grow with more training in 2025.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has opened its first-ever Leadership and Management School (LAMS) course in Southeast Asia, educating 43 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) members between 21 April and 2 May at PCG's Fleet Training Center of Excellence.
The course, which was initially designed at the USCG Academy, was delivered by the USCG Southeast Asia Training Team (SEATT) and hosted in cooperation with the PCG. It is intended to create future-proof maritime leaders, foster innovation in learning, and enhance bilateral relations between the USCG and PCG.
"LAMS has given new life to the way we develop leaders at the PCG's Fleet Education, Training, and Doctrine Development Institute. The effect is tangible; it's instilling confidence, self-knowledge, and a greater sense of purpose in our people", Coast Guard Fleet Commander Raquel Colarina said.
Training was conducted in two distinct one-week courses and conducted by experienced USCG trainers. The participants consisted of major PCG units such as the Coast Guard Fleet, Marine Environmental Protection, and Maritime Safety Services.
"Setting an international milestone for cooperation, the PCG and the USCG are not just exchanging best practices, but also creating a collaborative approach to building resilient, adaptive leaders in complex maritime environments", added Senior Chief Operations Specialist Anastazya Lencz, a USCG instructor.
The LAMS curriculum is an experience-based one, designed to enhance the leadership skills of junior officers and non-officer supervisors. It highlights effective communication, positive influence, motivation, getting the job done, ethics, and working with others.
The SEATT program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will be conducting further training sessions for the PCG in 2025. The project forms part of broader initiatives aiming to improve regional maritime law enforcement and cooperation throughout Southeast Asia.
