Coast Guard Relieves Its Top Reserve Enlisted Leader After Investigation into Misconduct

The Coast Guard relieved its top enlisted reserve service member Friday, citing "loss of confidence" in his judgment and "ability to fulfill his assigned duties."

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Timothy Beard has been temporarily reassigned following an administration investigation, the service reported in a press release Friday.

Coast Guard officials said the investigation looked into allegations of "inappropriate misconduct."

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"Leaders must lead by example and uphold the highest standards," officials said in a statement to Military.com. "If unsatisfactory conduct is substantiated, the Coast Guard will take appropriate action, including removal from leadership positions, to ensure that those who violate our values are held accountable for their actions.”

The relief is the second of a high-ranking Coast Guard member in the past three weeks. The Chaplain of the Coast Guard, Navy Capt. Daniel Mode, was removed from his post April 24 for "loss of confidence" in his judgment, according to the service.

Officials said Mode failed to take action when he was made aware of sexual misconduct by another chaplain that had taken place before the chaplain joined the Navy.

Last week, the Archdiocese of the Armed Forces defended Mode, calling him "an accomplished and highly respected U.S. Navy chaplain" who remains in good standing with its organization as well as the U.S. Navy.

"Archbishop [for the Armed Forces] Timothy Broglio takes sexual misconduct and the reporting of sexual misconduct seriously, and he is confident that, within hours of receiving documentation of the 2011 incident of sexual misconduct, Father Mode ensured and directed that key Coast Guard personnel and chaplains responsible for advising and briefing their commanders were emailed all of the detailed and pertinent documents," the archdiocese said in a statement April 30.

The Coast Guard has been under scrutiny since last year following reports that senior officials covered up an extensive investigation into cases of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy dating back decades.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan told a House Appropriations subcommittee May 1 that the service is taking action to build a safe environment after a review of the incidents that sparked the investigation, dubbed Operation Fouled Anchor.

"Why is this different from other times that we've been held accountable as an organization for failing with regard to sexual assault, harassment, bullying, retaliation, retribution? What's different this time is an acknowledgment that these behaviors are not appropriate in our service and we're going to move to eradicate them," Fagan told the House Homeland Security Subcommittee during a hearing on the service's fiscal 2025 proposed budget.

Beard was named the eighth master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard Reserve in 2022, a position that entails advising the commandant on enlisted reserve personnel issues.

Before joining the Coast Guard, Beard served in the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to the 133th Ordnance Detachment; the 703rd Support Battalion; and the Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School.

Beard enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve in 1998. His awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and three Army Achievement Medals.

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