Feature Story

Bradley S. Shaff reported aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Aug. 29 as the civil rights officer for Region 1, Zone 2, which covers all Coast Guard units in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Shaff grew up on Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay near Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich.

At 18, Shaff joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Naval Submarine Base Groton, Conn.

Following his Navy career, Shaff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health systems management from Ferris State University, Mich., and accepted a commission in the U.S. Air Force where he was selected for the Funded Law Education Program and attend law school at the University of Arizona.

After his military career, Shaff served as an assistant attorney general for health and licensing at the Nebraska Attorney General's Office. He later worked as the equal employment opportunity program manager at the VA Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., and as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, before he accepted his position at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

How do you feel about being at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy?

I am literally thrilled to be at the academy. I started my military and federal career across the river at the submarine base and fell in love with the area, but it was the day I interviewed here that I walked around the academy grounds and knew this is where I wanted to serve. There is something very special about the atmosphere here - you can almost feel the pride and history all around you.

What challenges do you foresee having to overcome?

I am the civil rights manager for Region 1, Zone 2, which encompasses all Coast Guard units in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, so I have more than just the academy to provide service for. However, I have a very talented team working with me, which makes that very large responsibility manageable. I have Lt. Lee Crusius here at the academy, and I have Chief Petty Officer Kevin Purifory and retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Steve Snyder stationed out of Cape May, N.J. Between the four of us, we can handle the geographic challenges.

I foresee a unique challenge here at the academy with maintaining a sense of urgency about moving forward in the civil rights arena. Many people here are probably of the opinion civil rights is largely an issue of the past, but the leadership here have already demonstrated a commitment to the challenge of looking deeper into the issue and a willingness to recognize that discrimination may have become more subtle in today's world, but it is unfortunately still a fact of life.

What organizations do you plan to reach out to and coordinate with?

I have been warmly welcomed by Diversity Officer Antonio Farias and his team. I can foresee us partnering on many projects our offices have in common. In addition, I have a meeting scheduled with a local civil rights leader who is the provost of Connecticut College and the president of the MLK Scholarship Foundation. The academy has a long history of partnering with the New London community, and I plan to continue that spirit of partnership in the area of civil rights.

In my opinion, an integral part of creating and maintaining an atmosphere that values civil rights is creating and maintaining an atmosphere that values diversity. In that vein, I plan to continue to be involved in community outreach where appropriate and also to tap into the resources right here on the academy grounds that can be found in our faculty, staff and cadet corps.

What do you hope to accomplish as the civil rights officer here?

I am a firm believer things happen for a reason. I believe my life experiences and education have led me to the point in my life where I was exactly the right person for exactly the right job. My education as an Air Force attorney, my 13 years of military service in general, my experience as an EEO program manager for the Veterans Administration, my experience as a service-connected, disabled veteran and my experience as an adjunct professor have all culminated in preparing me for this particular position. That said, I have very high standards and hopes for what I plan to accomplish over the coming years. My hope is this zone will become the model zone for the region and for the entire Coast Guard, and what better place for that to grow out of than the United States Coast Guard Academy? This institution has a reputation for producing outstanding leaders; therefore, it is only fitting that it produce a civil rights program that is outstanding in all aspects. I have the team to make that a reality, and more importantly, to make a real difference in people's lives.

Any hobbies, passions or topics of personal interest?

Amateur historian, political observer and student of constitutional law are all labels I happily wear. I love to teach, especially civil rights and other constitutional issues, and I read two to three books at a time. I am passionate about honoring veterans and accommodating people with disabilities so they can contribute as fully as possible.

I am a proud husband and father.