U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Adm. Linda L. Fagan to serve as the 27th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Upon confirmation, Fagan will be the first woman to serve in this role.

She currently serves as the 32nd vice commandant, having assumed the duties on June 18, 2021. Previously, she served as commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, overseeing operations from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa.

Fagan is the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident, as the officer with the longest service record in the marine safety field.

Pending confirmation, she is expected to relieve the current commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Karl L. Schultz, during a change of command ceremony planned for June 1, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Schultz will retire following the change of command this summer.

“Admiral Fagan is an exceptional senior Coast Guard officer and nominee, possessing the keen intellect, the depth of operational experience, and the well-honed leadership and managerial acumen to serve with distinction as our service’s 27th commandant,” said Schultz.

Fagan has selected, and the president has nominated, Vice Adm. Steven D. Poulin as the Coast Guard’s 33rd vice commandant. Poulin currently serves as the commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area and is responsible for all Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf.

Pending confirmation, Poulin is expected to relieve Fagan as vice commandant of the Coast Guard during a change of watch ceremony planned for May 24 in Washington, D.C.

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