First Woman to Serve as Commandant of the Coast Guard

Admiral Linda L. Fagan has been nominated to serve as the 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard, making her the first woman to lead the service and to head a U.S. military branch. 

Fagan currently serves as the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard and over her 36-year career has served on all seven continents and earned the title as the longest active-duty Marine Safety Officer and the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident recipient. 

“Admiral Fagan is an outstanding choice to lead the Coast Guard and we’ve had the honor of working closely with her over the years,” says Susan P. Ludwig, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. “As the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch it will inspire generations of American women to know they too can reach the highest level in our military.”

Fagan will relieve the current Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Karl L. Schultz, at a change of command ceremony planned for June 1. 

“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,” adds Admiral Schultz.

Learn more at coastguardfoundation.salsalabs.org.