Coast Guard announces new training center in Alabama

Adm. Kevin E. Lunday. [U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriel Wisdom]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Coast Guard announced that its newest training center that will be opening in the state of Alabama.

The Coast Guard announced the selection of Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) in Birmingham, Alabama as the location of its newest training center.

“We must invest in our most valuable treasure—our people—to meet the increasingly complex maritime security challenges facing the Nation,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard.“The acquisition of the historic Birmingham-Southern College as our new training center is a critical step in our Force Design 2028 strategy, providing the right facilities necessary to grow our service and ensure the Coast Guard stands always ready.”

In November, the Coast Guard issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking potential locations for the new center based on a list of requirements, including lodging for 1,200 recruits, a medical facility to support 1,000 personnel, a land area of 150-250 acres, and 14 classrooms sized to accommodate 30-60 students, among other criteria. Birmingham-Southern best satisfied Coast Guard training mission requirements, offering turn-key ready facilities critical to supporting immediate commencement of training missions, while meeting all the service’s eligibility criteria with nominal investment compared to new construction.

“I’m thrilled that President Trump and Secretary Noem have selected Birmingham Southern as the new land-based training facility for the United States Coast Guard. This move will save the American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville. “Alabama and the Coast Guard are a natural partnership. Alabama is already home to every branch of the military and we have the infrastructure, resources, and personnel ready to make sure our United States Coast Guard continues to be elite.”

“This is a huge day for Birmingham, our great state, and the U.S. Coast Guard. I have long been dedicated to strengthening Alabama’s military installations and the warfighters they serve,” said Sen. Katie Britt. “This exciting announcement further positions Alabama as a national leader in supporting our incredible U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement personnel. I am deeply proud to have advocated directly to Secretary Noem for a new training center in Birmingham to support our outstanding Coast Guard personnel, especially as the USCG continues to recruit service members to combat 21^st century threats. Alabama stands as a proud leader in military excellence, and we’re honored to host this new training center that will help mold the next generation of Coast Guard members. As chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue fighting to give the Coast Guard the resources and tools needed to fulfill its critical mission and keep Americans safe. Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Admiral Lunday for making a tremendous decision that will strengthen our homeland security long into the future.”

Training missions at Birmingham-Southern are expected to begin later in 2026.

This new training center is part of the broader framework of Force Design 2028, an initiative aimed at improving the Coast Guard’s agility, capabilities, and operational readiness. According to the service, the effort has coincided with increased recruitment and reported efficiency gains, including a claimed 6-to-1 return on investment.