Macon’s own Charles Gaines is a recent 2026 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard

Academy in New London, Connecticut where President Donald Trump was the commencement speaker. Charles is the son of proud parents Kimberly Lane and Jeffrey Gaines, and on May 20th he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

On Sunday June 14th at 10:45 a.m., Charles will be the graduation speaker at his home church, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where Dr. Henry C. Ficklin serves as pastor.

Charles’ achievement marks a significant milestone in a journey that began at the Academy for Classical Education in Macon, Georgia where he graduated in 2021 as a stellar student and star athlete. His acceptance into the U. S. Coast Guard Academy was marked by a mayoral proclamation stating that “admission to the Coast Guard Academy is highly competitive and based on merit with only about 300 cadets from thousands of applicants admitted each year.”

Following his acceptance, Charles entered the US Coast Guard Scholars Program where he completed a year of rigorous training at the Marion Military Institute, laying the foundation for his academic and military career. At the Coast Guard Academy, he focused his studies on the Financial Management System, specifically examining how it addresses and rectifies problematic Intra-governmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) transactions from external agencies. His dedication to academic excellence was recognized with a gold star, showcasing his commitment to his studies.

During his time at the Academy, Charles served aboard the cutter Eagle and the cutter Razorbill. Notably, while onboard Razorbill, he participated in a critical search and rescue mission for the fishing vessel Miss Maddy, contributing to the successful rescue of five individuals, a testament to his skills and bravery.

In addition to his academic and service achievements, Charles has consistently excelled in physical fitness, earning the bronze star for fitness excellence every semester at the Academy. His athletic prowess was further highlighted during his swimming career, where he was recognized as a NEWMAC conference second team awardee. Charles has also placed in the 100-yard butterfly and sprint freestyle events at the conference championships every season. His contributions as a member of the 400 free relay team were instrumental in qualifying for the NCAA championships in 2024.

Now upon graduation, Charles will serve as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, holding the rank of Ensign. He has been assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter TAMPA, stationed in Portsmouth, VA, where he will continue to apply his skills and training in service to his country.