Joseph Chinedu Osueke is the son of Joseph & Cyrina Osueke & is a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard. Born into a family that valued hard work and sacrifice, Joseph left his home at the age of seventeen with the goal of obtaining a degree, though he was uncertain of what he wanted to study or how he would finance his education. After years of searching for his true calling, he found his path in serving others and decided to join the United States Coast Guard. Despite the challenges—he could not swim and knew little about military life—Joseph was determined to join something bigger than himself, drawing strength from his ability to think creatively.
In 2013, Joseph began his Coast Guard journey, stationed in Seattle, Washington—a place as unfamiliar to him as the service itself. Yet, he knew he was not just representing himself; he was representing his family and their legacy. On tough days, he reminded himself of his father, who had come to the United States with just $300 in his pocket, and his mother, who balanced nursing school while raising three children. Inspired by their sacrifices, Joseph pushed forward, making progress every day, no matter how small.
Joseph became an Operations Specialist and assigned to one of the busiest ports in the country—Miami, Florida. During his three years there, he managed national level search and rescue cases, achieving things he had never thought possible. This experience sparked a deep interest in continuing his Coast Guard career to see where it would take him. After earning his bachelor’s degree in emergency management, Joseph was assigned on a National Security Cutter in Alameda, California. There, he traveled to Alaska, South America, and various parts of the Pacific Islands. As a junior member in a supervisory position, Joseph seized every training opportunity, built lasting relationships, and honed his skills. He served as a mission coordinator, overseeing flight patterns for drones, coordinating law enforcement operations during high-profile drug seizures, and collaborated with the Japanese, Australian, and United Kingdom naval forces.
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It was during his time on the National Security Cutter that Joseph was selected for Officer Candidate
School (OCS)—a 17-week leadership training program that prepares candidates to become future
leaders in the Coast Guard. Though being away from his wife and two children was challenging, Joseph drew strength from the sacrifices his parents made and the values of his Nigerian community. “Naija no Dey carry last,” he reminded himself, as he persevered and graduated from OCS in May 2022.
Joseph’s current role as an Apprentice Marine Inspector in Los Angeles, California, the busiest port in the country, has further developed his expertise. He inspects large oil tankers, cruise ships and oversees the reconstruction of domestic small passenger vessels. Looking ahead, Joseph plans to become a Marine Investigator and pursue postgraduate education in Law, Industrial Hygiene, or Transportation Management.
Proud of his Nigerian heritage, Joseph credits his parents and the village that raised him for instilling in him the resilience and determination that have propelled him through life. To young Nigerian men and women who have the potential to do something great but are uncertain of their path, Joseph offers this advice: “The Coast Guard has been a tremendous benefit to me, and it can offer you the same opportunities. Our community is home to some of the most educated individuals in this country & there are avenues available for us to obtain a free education, work in high levels of government, and develop leadership qualities that will benefit us for life.”
Today, Joseph is part of a traveling recruiting team promoting the Coast Guard’s Pathways to Citizenship program, which allows legal green card holders to enlist in the Coast Guard and obtain naturalization during their 8 weeks of boot camp. He is enthusiastic about spreading this message because he believes it can change the lives of future generations of Nigerians.
For more information about the citizenship pathway and find a recruiter at GoCoastGuard.com.
Or reach Joseph Osueke: josueke87@icloud.com
