[4] He entered the Revenue Cutter Service as a third lieutenant on September 15, 1865, reporting aboard the USRC Moccasin.

[2] He immediately began a campaign of reform and petitioned for funds for new cutters and a plan for officer retirement pensions.

[9] He also fought for the passage of HR 6723; a bill that created a medical review board that examined senior officers and eliminated those not fit to command.

[10][11] Secretary of the Treasury John Griffin Carlisle pointed out that about a third of the officers of the Revenue Marine could not perform their duties because of advanced age and pressed Congress for relief.

This allowed the Revenue Marine to free up billets and give junior officers better promotion opportunities.

[3][13][14] By petitioning for newer design cutters and a retirement plan for older officers, Shepard is given credit for continuing his civilian predecessors efforts to modernize the service.