Jim Dolbow

Jim Dolbow is the author of The Coast Guardsman’s Manual (11th edition) and editor of The Naval Institute Guide to the U.S. Coast Guard. Both were published by the Naval Institute Press in 2017.

When he is not writing, Jim is Senior Acquisitions Editor for Professional Development Books at the U.S. Naval Institute. Prior to joining USNI in January 2017, he served as Military Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Dan Coats of Indiana from 2012-2017. He is also a Fleet Professor of Theater Security Decision Making for the U.S. Naval War College’s Fleet Seminar Program in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Senator Coats in the Senate, Mr. Dolbow served over 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives to include legislative director/military legislative assistant to former Rep. John Hostettler (IN-8) and Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8), legislative assistant to former Rep. Jim Ryun (KS-2), and Legislative Director for the Conservative Action Team (CATS). His experience off of Capitol Hill includes experience as a defense contractor at both the Department of Homeland Security and the Naval History & Heritage Command, editorial board member of the U.S. Naval Institute, and as an analyst with the OPNAV N3/5 Navy Special Projects Office.

Dolbow received his commission in the United States Coast Guard Reserve in July 2002. Recalled to active duty in support of OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE in March 2003, Dolbow was ordered to report to Coast Guard Activities Baltimore, MD. While on active duty, Dolbow served as a watchstander for the Joint Operations Command Center in Washington, D.C., coordinator for Round 2 of the port security grant applications, and harbor patrol team leader. Released from active duty on 30 June 2003, Dolbow continued to drill in Baltimore until being transferred in September 2004 to the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area Headquarters in Portsmouth, VA. In September 2005, he was recalled to active duty under Title 14 for post-Hurricane Katrina operations and served as a legislative affairs analyst on the staff of the Principal Federal Official, Admiral Thad W. Allen, USCG.

Dolbow is a member of Business Executives for National Security and a Life member of the U.S. Naval Institute, Navy League of the United States, Naval Historical Foundation, Reserve Officers Association, Military Officers Association, Association of the United States Army, National Guard Association of the United States, and the Naval War College Foundation. He has been published in Proceedings, National Defense, The Washington Post, Washington Times, Sea Power, Navy Times, Armed Forces Journal International, to name a few. Moreover, he has also lectured before audiences of students from Indiana University, National Defense University, Joint Special Operations University, and the Defense Acquisition University.

Dolbow has a B.A. in Political Science from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia and a Masters degree in National Security & Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 2002.