[2] Stephens enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on January 17, 1950, and after boot training was assigned to the Coast Guard Station at Grand Haven, Michigan, where he subsequently advanced from seaman apprentice to boatswain's mate second class.

From August to November 1954, he served as coxswain on search and rescue missions out of Port Aransas Lifeboat Station.

Next he served on board the 83' patrol cutter at Panama City, where he was advanced to chief boatswain's mate.

[1] He returned to Port Aransas where he served various jobs including: lifeboat station, group office, and officer-in-charge of both USCGC Myrtle and the 82' patrol cutter.

From June 1970 to July 1971, he was assigned to port security and waterways detail and as a liaison between U.S. Army transportation units and Coast Guard explosive loading detachments in the Republic of South Vietnam.