Memoir of CWO4 Mark Cortor, USCG (Ret.)

By: CWO4 (Ret) Mark Cortor, Vice President of Retired Affairs (Past President)

To kick off our efforts to update and preserve our Association’s history, I am sharing my CWOA memoir for the purpose of capturing my small part in the larger story of our Chief Warrant & Warrant Officers Association.

Early Years in the Association
In November 2008, I was notified that I would be appointed to CWO2 (WEPS) effective January 1, 2009. I would be filling the billet of my “A” School instructor and mentor, CWO2 Mitch Gammill, who tragically passed away on October 6, 2008.
I joined the CWOA the same day I pinned on CWO2.
In the summer of 2009, I attended CWOPD, where I met our Executive Director, Ed Swift, for the first time after many prior phone conversations. In the August–September 2009 CWOA Newsletter, I published an article about the memorial dedicated to Mitch, where I placed my CWOA coin in his tribute.
While stationed at NESU Miami MAT/WAT DET Key West for over four years, I was a member of the Greater Miami Chapter. Despite repeated efforts by myself and a few other Key West CWOs, the chapter rarely included us in activities. At the time, we did not have enough CWOs in Key West to form our own chapter.
After promoting to CWO3 on January 1, 2013, I transferred to Afloat Training Group San Diego. I joined the Southern California Chapter but again found myself largely disconnected, as those of us stationed in San Diego were seldom engaged. I recall only one meeting being held in San Diego during that time. Additionally, I rarely received the CWOA newsletter during this eight-year period.
Everything Changed in 2017
Everything changed in 2017.
I promoted to CWO4 on January 1 and transferred to Coast Guard Headquarters that summer to assume the responsibilities of GM Assignment Officer. I joined the DC Chapter and, for the first time in my career, felt surrounded by an active and engaged group of Chief Warrant Officers who were deeply invested in the Association.
In early November 2017, CWO4 John Caicedo, then CWOA Treasurer, nominated me to run for President and introduced me to CWO2 Jared Heintz, the sitting President, and Executive Director CWO Carol Setteducato. After discussing it with my wife and taking time to pray on it, I agreed.
I ultimately ran unopposed, which was inconsistent with our Bylaws at the time. My only “competition” was a write-in vote for Mickey Mouse.
Rebuilding and Reform
My term as President began smoothly, but it did not take long to uncover significant challenges.
Many remember the dues increase to seven dollars in 2015. The issue was not the increase itself, but how poorly the messaging was handled, costing us hundreds of members. Rebuilding membership became my top priority.
I personally reached out to hundreds of former members. Many rejoined, including my dear friend CWO4 Adam Cain, who later became our Vice President in 2019.
Another early accomplishment was finalizing the agreement with Columbia Southern University, a project originally started under CWO Jared Heintz’s presidency and advanced by CWO Rodney Moore. This partnership provided a tangible benefit exclusively for CWOA members—Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired alike.
The 2018–2019 Government Shutdown
Six months into my term, the federal government shut down in December 2018.
Although we received our January 1 paychecks, the uncertainty that followed affected nearly every Coast Guard family. During that time, Mike Little, then leading a small nonprofit, Sea Service Family Foundation, stepped up to help.
After several attempts to contact our Executive Director during the holiday period, Mike tracked down my number. Once we connected, we went to work. As many active duty members remember, this effort consumed much of my life during and even after the shutdown.
Together, we authored a letter supporting the Pay the Coast Guard Act, signed by every organization within The Military Coalition. To our knowledge, it was the first time in the Association’s 89-year history that CWOA authored a Coast Guard-specific letter endorsed across the entire TMC.
We also worked to secure legislation protecting Coast Guard retirees’ pay during future shutdowns, which proved valuable again in 2025.
Just days after shoulder surgery, Mike, Carol, and I “stormed the Hill,” visiting every Congressional office to advocate for our Coast Guard family.
When the shutdown ended, an ALCOAST was released thanking CGMA and the CPOA/CGEA but omitted CWOA. I engaged the Commandant’s office and secured handwritten letters from the Commandant thanking each CWOA Chapter individually, along with his challenge coin.
In February 2019, I formally met with the Commandant. To my knowledge, no CWOA President had done so in at least nine years. Despite being stationed at Headquarters, securing that meeting was not easy due to evolving policies regarding nonprofit engagement.
There has not been a formal meeting between a CWOA President and the Commandant since.
A Turning Point
In 2019, after a death in the family and with my son entering high school, my priorities shifted. Although I planned to serve 30 years, I chose to retire after more than 25 years of service, effective September 30, 2020.
At the time, our Bylaws required the President to be active duty and located in the National Capital Region. I identified two potential candidates to succeed me, but one withdrew at the last moment, resulting again in an unopposed election.
Having experienced this twice, I championed Bylaws reforms to correct the recurring issue.
Following the 2019 Annual Meeting, which marked our 90th anniversary, I formed the 100th Anniversary Committee. I chaired it until Boston was designated as host for the 2029 Annual Meeting, after which leadership transitioned to the Boston Chapter.
The remainder of my presidency involved significant engagement with Coast Guard Legal and senior officers at Headquarters—experiences best discussed in person rather than in writing.
Then came COVID-19.
The pandemic forced cancellation of our 2020 Annual Meeting and required us to conduct Association business virtually for the first time in our history. It was not perfect, but we kept the doors open and moved forward.
Notable Events During My Presidency
• Funeral of Distinguished Member and former Executive Director Bob Lewis
• Retirement Ceremony of Past President Brent Light
• Presentation of Distinguished Member Certificate to Past President JT Green (2019 Annual Meeting)
• USCGC BLACKTHORN Memorial Service (January 2020)
• 2018 and 2019 Coast Guard Caucus breakfasts on Capitol Hill
• Coast Guard Academy Proficiency Award Ceremony and Commencement
• National Guard and Reserve Family Forum sponsored by MOAA and hosted by ROA
• Multiple Congressional events
• One Presidential event at the White House
• Attendance at every monthly TMC meeting during my tenure
Immediate Past President and Beyond
When my term ended, I transitioned to Immediate Past President, advising the incoming President and Board.
In early 2021, the Board needed to hire a new Executive Director. While working on President Trump’s campaign, Mike Little asked whether I would apply. Due to contract work, I declined and strongly encouraged him to apply, believing his legislative experience and Capitol Hill relationships would be invaluable. The Board ultimately hired Mike as Executive Director.
In 2022, I was elected Vice President of the newly formed Open Country Chapter and later, in 2024, elected Vice President of Retired Affairs.
As VP of Retired Affairs, I conducted virtual town halls and chaired the Retired Affairs Committee, an initiative developed with our Executive Director shortly after his hiring. Although the committee was later dissolved, I continued working closely with our Chief Legislative Officer to address retiree issues.
For the first time in Association history, we established a strong working relationship with the Coast Guard National Retiree Council. Working alongside our Executive Director, I helped develop the USCG Estate Planning & Final Affairs Handbook.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, I proposed creating a legislative letter-writing service. With Executive Director support, that vision became reality in 2025. During the most recent government shutdown, our Action Network generated approximately 25,800 letters to Congress.
Reflecting on the Future
During Thanksgiving 2025, I revisited the 1994 History of the Chief Warrant & Warrant Officers Association written by CWO3 William H. Ball. I also began reviewing decades of newsletters. That reflection inspired me to spearhead the effort to document the past 31 years of our Association’s history in preparation for our 100th anniversary in 2029.
Committee Involvement
Executive Committee Participation
• Boston Chapter Proxy – 2018
• President – 2019, 2020
• DC Chapter Proxy – 2021
• Norfolk Chapter Proxy – 2022
• Great Lakes Chapter Proxy – 2023
• Republic of Texas Chapter Proxy – 2024
• Vice President of Retired Affairs – 2025
Committee Chair
• 100th Anniversary Committee – 2021, 2022
• Long Range Planning Committee – 2022, 2023
• Communications Committee – 2020, 2021
• Retired Affairs Committee – 2024
Committee Member
• Personnel and Finance Committee (five terms)
• 100th Anniversary Committee
• Bylaws Committee (two terms)
• Membership Committee
• Retired Affairs Committee
Final Reflection
My first eight years in the CWOA were marked by frustration and disappointment. The last eight years have been challenging and deeply rewarding.
If you have read this far, you may wonder why I chose to share this.
The answer is simple.
I hope my journey inspires each of us to continue serving our Association and one another better for years to come.
This is my small contribution to our first 100 years.
Now it is your turn. Please share your story.