Beneath the expansive California sky and overlooking the harbor where Coast Guard cutters move steadily in and out of port, members of the Coast Guard family gathered at Reservation Point, Base Los Angeles/Long Beach, to celebrate the retirement of Chief George Hofstetter. The setting—sunlight over the Pacific, the hum of ships, and the sense of mission that characterizes this base—could not have been more fitting.
As the ceremony began, colleagues, family, and friends stood in gratitude for a man whose life has been devoted to service. Chief Hofstetter’s Coast Guard journey began in March 1999, when he enlisted and joined Port Security Unit (PSU) 311. His career took him across the globe, including deployments to Kuwait and Iraq in 2003, where he served with distinction. Over the years, he held assignments at MSO LA/LB, became a plankowner at Sector LA/LB, and served in key operational and security roles at Base LA/LB and the Sector Boarding Team.
Alongside his Coast Guard service, Chief Hofstetter also completed an extraordinary 32-year career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, faithfully protecting and serving his community as a Deputy Sheriff. Across both careers, his leadership and integrity have left a lasting impact on those who served beside him.
The ceremony included remarks from Commander Higgins and Chief Wolfe, each emphasizing the Chief’s unwavering professionalism, mentorship, and dedication to duty. On his official retirement date today, October 26, 2025, Chief Hofstetter leaves behind a legacy not only of service but also of steadfast character and heart.
In my role as Chaplain, I was honored to deliver the Invocation and Benediction, reflecting on how every act of service—every watch stood and every life protected—adds light to our world. The ceremony reminded all present that a true career in service is measured not only in years, but in lives touched, missions completed, and the spirit one leaves behind.
Chief Hofstetter’s strength has been anchored by the unwavering support of his wife, Charlene (“Charlie”), and their daughters Allison, Katie, Taylor, and Kristen—the family that has stood behind every deployment, every long shift, and every mission completed.
Against the expansive sky and the ever-moving cutters of the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, the ceremony at Reservation Point marked not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter—a continued life of purpose, peace, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Fair winds and following seas, Chief Hofstetter. Your watch has been exemplary, and your legacy will continue to inspire all who serve.
