Admiral Fagan currently serves the Coast Guard’s 32nd vice commandant
President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Linda Fagan to be the next commandant of the Coast Guard. If confirmed, she would be the first woman to lead a military service branch.
Fagan currently serves the Coast Guard’s 32nd vice commandant. Fagan has been the Coast Guard’s number two since June 2021 and was the first woman in the service to be promoted to four stars.
In an official statement, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said, “President Biden has made an exceptional choice by nominating Admiral Linda F. Fagan to serve as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Admiral Fagan is a tremendous leader, trailblazer, and respected public servant who will lead the Coast Guard across its critical missions with honor.”
Fagan would replace Admiral Karl Schultz, who is set to retire next month. “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 Adm. Schultz.
“Within the Coast Guard and across the Department of Homeland Security, Adm. Fagan is admired as a role model of the utmost integrity, and her historic nomination is sure to inspire the next generation of women who are considering careers in military service,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement, USNI News reported.
Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, confirmed the nomination of Fagan. In the statement, Cantwell remarked on Fagan’s “strong leadership and commitment to service,” saying that Fagan’s nomination will inspire generations of women to serve in the armed forces.
