Commander Jim Scheye, USCG (Ret.)

Commander Jim Scheye, USCG (Ret.) is a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Following his commissioning by President Ronald Reagan, he served on active duty and reserve tours for more than 22 years in the Nation’s fifth Armed Service.

Jim served on cutters and as an aviator conducting mission support of search and rescue, disaster response, law enforcement, counter-drug smuggling, environmental response, DoD missions, and post 9/11 port and coastal security. Having had taken a reserve commission to avoid the increasing risk of serving on active duty under DADT, he was recalled back to active duty on the evening of 9/11. He reported to duty the next morning to support critical Homeland Security and to lead one of the Coast Guard’s largest reserve contingents under one active duty command. A highlight of the remainder of his career includes leading the Coast Guard Commandant’s Command Center and facilitating decision support for the highest levels of Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security leadership.

Jim has remained active in fight against discrimination of LGBs in the military. This has included taking part in SLDN’s lobby days, serving on SLDN National Dinner planning committees, engaging with veterans' groups, and serving on an ad hoc Coast Guard DADT advisory panel to raise awareness of the impact of DADT on the Coast Guard as a military Service outside of the Department of Defense. Commander Scheye’s military awards include two Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, a Commendation Medal, and four Achievement Medals.

Jim lives with his partner, Justin - an ardent SLDN supporter, in Alexandria, VA.