Linda Lee Fagan (born July 1, 1963)[1][2] is a United States Coast Guard admiral who serves as the 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard. Previously, in 2021 she became the 32nd Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard’s first female four-star admiral.[3] Before that, she was the commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area with prior terms as Coast Guard Deputy for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities, commander, First Coast Guard District, and commander, Coast Guard Sector New York. Fagan is also the Coast Guard's first Gold Ancient Trident, the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety Field. In April 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced her nomination as the next Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, succeeding Charles W. Ray.[4][5][6][7] She was confirmed on June 17, 2021, and assumed office on June 18.[8]
Linda Fagan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard | |
| Assumed office June 1, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Steven D. Poulin Kevin Lunday |
| Preceded by | Karl L. Schultz |
| 32nd Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard | |
| In office June 18, 2021 – May 31, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Commandant | Karl L. Schultz |
| Preceded by | Charles Ray |
| Succeeded by | Steven D. Poulin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Linda Lee Keene July 1, 1963 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | United States Coast Guard Academy (BS) University of Washington (MS) National Defense University (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1985–present |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands |
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| Awards | |
In April 2022, it was announced that Fagan would be nominated to succeed Karl L. Schultz as Commandant of the Coast Guard, making her the first woman in American history to lead a military service.[9][10] Her nomination was sent to the United States Senate on April 7, 2022, receiving confirmation by unanimous consent on May 11.[11][12] She assumed office on June 1.[13]
Early life and education
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Born in Columbus, Ohio, Fagan graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1985 with a B.S. degree in marine science. She later earned a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington in 2000 and an M.S. degree in national security strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in 2008.[5]
Career
editFagan took over as news broke of an investigation into rape and sexual assault in the Coast Guard Academy of which officials had failed to brief Congress. She apologized to the victims of the sexual assaults and pledged to be more transparent about the agency’s problems.[14] After listening to four women describe being sexually assaulted as U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets, members of the United States Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations probing a "culture of cover-up" vowed to hold past and current Coast Guard leadership accountable.[15] [16]"We're going to pursue those two individuals and others," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., chairman of the Subcommittee, referring to retired Admiral Karl L. Schultz, the former commandant of the Coast Guard, and his successor, the current commandant, Admiral Linda Fagan.[17][18] On December 19, 2023, the Subcommittee stated in a press release and a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan, “It is clear from this testimony, and the Subcommittee’s inquiry to date, that the Coast Guard’s culture of cover-up has allowed sexual assault and sexual harassment to persist for decades, both at the Academy and in the Coast Guard. It is equally apparent that accountability and systematic change at both the Coast Guard and the Academy are necessary to address past failures and to ensure that future cadets are protected." The Subcommittee demanded "swift response" to the inquiry and further indicated that "[s]hould the Coast Guard continue to withhold or redact requested records, PSI will have no choice but to utilize other means to ensure compliance with congressional oversight.”[19]
Awards and decorations
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Personal life and family
editFagan is the daughter of Jon Harley Keene and Loann Carol (Morris) Keene.[20] Her daughter Aileen is also a United States Coast Guard Academy graduate.[21]
References
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- ^ "Biographical Information and Qualifications of Linda L. Fagan". U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Senate Commerce Committee Coast Guard Nominee Questionnaire, 117th Congress - Linda L. Fagan". U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "Adm. Linda Fagan Becomes USCG's First Female Four-Star Admiral". The Maritime Executive.
- ^ "Vice Admiral Linda L. Fagan". Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ a b "Rear Admiral Linda L. Fagan" (PDF). Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs (April 19, 2021). "Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan nominated to be Coast Guard Vice Commandant, first Coast Guard female 4-star admiral". U.S. Coast Guard. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on President Biden's Nomination of Vice Adm. Fagan for USCG Vice Commandant". U.S. Department of Homeland Security. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Coast Guard welcomes new vice commandant". U.S. Coast Guard. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ LaGrone, Sam (April 5, 2022). "Biden Nominates Adm. Linda Fagan to Head Coast Guard, First Woman to Lead Military Service". USNI News. National Harbor, Maryland.
- ^ Benson, Samuel (April 5, 2022). "Biden to nominate first woman to lead a military service". Politico.
- ^ "PN1947 — Adm. Linda L. Fagan — Coast Guard, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ O'Brien, Connor (May 11, 2022). "Coast Guard admiral approved to be first woman to lead a military service". Politico.
- ^ "Fagan to be first woman to serve as Coast Guard commandant". Workboat. April 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ Hicken, Melanie (August 8, 2023). "Former Coast Guard head covered up secret investigation into sexual assaults at the Coast Guard Academy". CNN. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Blumenthal, Richard (September 14, 2023). "Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Opens Inquiry Into Coast Guard's Lack of Transparency on Sexual Assault Investigation". Senator Richard Blumenthal Press Release. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ Recchia, Frank (December 17, 2023). "Sen. Blumenthal continues to fight for survivors of Coast Guard Academy assault". News 12 Connecticut. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Hallenbeck, Brian (December 12, 2023). "Senate panel to pursue Coast Guard leadership over academy sexual assault coverup". The New London Day. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Hicken, Melanie (December 12, 2023). "'No consequences': Women testify about sexual harassment and assault at Coast Guard Academy". CNN. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Ron (December 19, 2023). "Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Demands Swift Response to Inquiry into Sexual Assault & Harassment at the Coast Guard Academy". Senator Ron Johnson Press Release. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
- ^ "Certificate of Birth". Birth Records. No. 106567. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Vital Records Office. 1963.
- ^ "Nomination Hearing for U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Nominee Admiral Linda Fagan". U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation. April 28, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
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