“Peace, Out.” The Final, Late Night Farewell Email of Disappeared Coast Guard Investigative Service Director Michael Berkow.
New York, NY
By: MLAA
Michael Berkow, the former director of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), abruptly and unexpectedly left his job on December 31, 2021. Rumors have been swirling ever since.
Just before midnight on December 31—when he was locked out of his Coast Guard email account—Berkow sent the following short, cryptic message to All Hands:
Happy New Year!
Peace, Out.
That was all. However, attached to Berkow’s final “Peace Out” email was a .doc file, titled “Information Update #318.” Was this the 318th “Information Update” Berkow had sent to All Hands over his 9 years as Director of the CGIS? It appears to be:
Information Update #318:
December 31, 2021
Information Update # 318
From the Director
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to provide a final update.
Dear CGIS Colleagues:
Though I could spend all day writing this, I will spare you by keeping it short and sweet. This is my final update as Director. 2021 was hard. We have worked LOTS of complex cases around the country, even around the world.
Whether it was mass casualties—Conception or the DUCK boat or merchant mariner fraud—MAMA, REC NOLO, Griff—or homicide—Base Kodiak, Oceanside—fraud cases that impact the mainstream CG—Bollinger, Sherwood Aviation, Stonewin—or complex drug cases—PANEX, CCSF, Operation Red Phoenix….CGIS is on the front lines, working these cases, making a difference on everything we touch.
Please remember that while to you it may just be “another case” or “another touch,” or “another duty call,” to the other people involved it is often much, much, more traumatic and important.
The pandemic continues. Many families are facing a holiday season without a loved one for the first time. My heart goes out to all of them. The idea of special agents working remotely or working blue/gold schedules has been new and challenging and we have had frequent quarantines or closures as folks have wrestled with infections or illness of friends/family.
The vaccine mandate has created new challenges for some of our friends and co-workers. BUT, no matter what 2022 brings, I know that CGIS will continue to stand tall and surpass expectations, all for the reward of serving our nation and our Coast Guard.
There will be real challenges—the new NDAA, what we do we do with sex harassment cases, the new focus on sexual assaults on commercial vessels, the challenges of getting our new agents through basic training, continuing our expansion at PANEX, putting a stop to merchant mariner fraud, testing the drug testing system for mariners, criminally charging companies that are defrauding the CG—these are just some of the issues.
Think about it, because of your efforts: Mariners and companies operating unsafe vessels that caused death or injury are being held accountable; Companies are actually delivering the products/services to the CG that we paid. We are removing unsafe, unqualified mariners from the water where they pose a danger to the public; We are protecting our members’ safety and working to keep all members/employees safe at work; Our agents are getting training that is going to change the trajectory of an investigation and perhaps, as a result, a crime victims’ life.
Your work matters. YOU matter. Never forget that. I have been truly privileged to lead this organization since October 2012. I love the work, I love the CG, and I sincerely hope that my focus on people and organizational culture have made a difference and continue to do so.
I am most proud of the increasing training at all levels (from the FBI Academy/Southern Police Institute for all senior leaders, to In-Service Training for everyone, to the specialist training opportunities) and the promotional opportunities that we have created.
Aside from all the senior leaders becoming GS-15s, there are almost 20 agents that are now GS-14s, positions that did not exist, opportunities that were not here. That is deep organizational and personal change that is permanent within CGIS.
We have worked hard to make CGIS the premier maritime criminal investigative organization and I believe we have achieved that goal—but we need to constantly strive to improve and do better!
Remember, we are like Olympic athletes; we may be at peak performance today, but we are constantly striving to top that tomorrow. I was hired as a change agent and we have been doing that!!! I believe that change agents have a shelf life and that it is time for me to turn over the command to a new leader.
While there will be some months of uncertainty and challenge, I am completely confident in the leadership team's ability to maintain both course and speed. I want to wish all of you a safe and healthy holiday filled with whatever makes you happiest. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to be working alongside you during this past almost 10 years. Thank you for your trust and support.
Fair winds, following seas, and stay safe.
Michael Berkow Director, CGIS