AMTCM Gabriel A. Acosta
Command Master Chief, Special Missions Training Center
Master Chief Gabe Acosta assumed the duties as Command Master Chief for Special Missions Training Center in July, 2023. His primary duties are to assist and advise the Commanding Officer on personnel issues, and on the impact of existing or proposed initiatives and policy changes to the morale and general wellbeing of all Coast Guard members and their families within SMTC’s purview.
A native of Simi Valley, CA, Master Chief Petty Officer Acosta enlisted into the Coast Guard in February of 1998 and attended a 10-week boot camp at both TRACEN Cape May, NJ and aboard the CGC Barque Eagle as part of a one-time experiment. Master Chief Acosta’s previous assignments include Command Master Chief for Coast Guard Base Ketchikan, Alaska (2021-2023); H-60 AMT Rating Manager at Air Station Clearwater, FL (2018-2021); Recruiter in Charge, Recruiting Office Honolulu (2014-2018); Air Station Atlantic City, NJ (2010-2014); Air Station San Francisco, CA (2006-2010); Air Station Sitka, AK (2004-2006); Air Station Clearwater, FL (2000-2004); Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) A-School, Tulsa, OK (2000); and CGC POINT BROWER, homeported in San Francisco, CA (1998-2000).
Master Chief Aviation Maintenance Technician Acosta’s personal and service awards include four CG Commendation Medals, two CG Achievement Medals, four Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbons, seven Good Conduct Medals, and various other colorful stuff. He was also awarded the LT Robert A. Perchard Memorial Trophy award while assigned both at Air Station San Francisco and Air Station Atlantic City and was named Air Station Atlantic City’s Enlisted Person of the Year in 2012. Master Chief Acosta is a proud graduate of Class 87 of the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course, Class 216 of the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy, and he completed Chief’s Call to Initiation in 2015.
Master Chief Acosta married the former Christina Fiorello, a Tampa Bay native, on the beach on the island of Kauai, on October 23rd, 2005. They currently live in Surf City, NC with their 13-year-old daughter, Josephine. He enjoys surfing, fishing, hiking, volleyball, and taking in all that each new geographic assignment has to offer with his family.