Commandant of the Coast Guard

The commandant of the Coast Guard is the service chief and highest-ranking member of the United States Coast Guard. The commandant is an admiral, appointed for a four-year term by the president of the United States upon confirmation by the United States Senate. The commandant is assisted by a vice commandant, who is also an admiral, and two area commanders (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area) and two deputy commandants (deputy commandant for operations and deputy commandant for mission support), all of whom are vice admirals. Though the United States Coast Guard is one of the six military branches of the United States, unlike the other service chiefs, the commandant of the Coast Guard is not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The commandant is, however, entitled to the same supplemental pay as each member of the Joint Chiefs, per 37 U.S.C. § 414(a)(5) ($4,000 per annum in 2009), and is accorded privilege of the floor under Senate Rule XXIII(1) as a de facto Joint Chiefs of Staff member during presidential addresses. The commandant maintains operational command over the Coast Guard, unlike the chiefs of the other services, who serve only administrative roles. Thus, while the operational chain of command for the other services (per the Goldwater–Nichols Act) goes from the president through the secretary of defense to the combatant commanders of the unified combatant commands, command and control of the Coast Guard goes from the president through the secretary of homeland security (or secretary of defense, when the Coast Guard is acting as a service in the Department of the Navy) through the commandant. Prior to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the United States Coast Guard or its predecessor, the Revenue Cutter Service operated under and the commandant reported to the secretary of transportation from 1966 to 2003, and the secretary of the treasury from 1790 until 1966. As of 21 January 2025, the acting commandant is Admiral Kevin Lunday.

Infobox

Type

Service chief

Reports to

Secretary of Homeland Security

Seat

Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building, Washington, D.C.

Appointer

The presidentwith Senate advice and consent

Term length

4 yearsRenewable

Constituting instrument

14 U.S.C. § 30214 U.S.C. § 504

Formation

14 December 1889

First holder

Leonard G. Shepard

Deputy

Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard

Website

www.uscg.mil

Tables

· List of commandants

Leonard G. Shepard

1889

1889–1895

Leonard G. Shepard

Picture

Name

Leonard G. Shepard

Rank

Captain

Start of tenure

14 December 1889

End of tenure

14 March 1895

Notes

Shepard became the first military Chief of the "Revenue-Marine Division" of the Treasury Department and is considered to be the first Commandant.

Charles F. Shoemaker

1905

1905–1908

Charles F. Shoemaker

Picture

Name

Charles F. Shoemaker

Rank

19 March 1895

Start of tenure

27 March 1905

End of tenure

On 8 May 1908, Shoemaker was promoted to the rank of Captain-Commandant on the Retired List by Act of Congress.

Worth G. Ross

1905

1905–1911

Worth G. Ross

Picture

Name

Worth G. Ross

Rank

Captain-commandant

Start of tenure

25 April 1905

End of tenure

30 April 1911

Notes

Ross was instrumental in the establishment of what was to become the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

Ellsworth P. Bertholf

1911

1911–1919

Ellsworth P. Bertholf

Picture

Name

Ellsworth P. Bertholf

Rank

Commodore

Start of tenure

19 June 1911

End of tenure

30 June 1919

Notes

Served during the merger of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard. Was the first Coast Guard officer to achieve flag rank.

William E. Reynolds

1919

1919–1924

William E. Reynolds

Picture

Name

William E. Reynolds

Rank

Rear admiral

Start of tenure

2 October 1919

End of tenure

11 January 1924

Notes

Reynolds was the first Coast Guard officer to be promoted to the rank of rear admiral.

Frederick C. Billard

1932

1932–1932

Frederick C. Billard

Picture

Name

Frederick C. Billard

Rank

11 January 1924

Start of tenure

17 May 1932

End of tenure

Billard was appointed to three consecutive terms as Commandant and died in office 17 May 1932, serving through the Prohibition Era and reorganization of the academy.

Harry G. Hamlet

Picture

Name

Harry G. Hamlet

Rank

14 June 1932

Start of tenure

14 June 1936

End of tenure

Hamlet persuaded Congress to dismiss efforts to merge the Coast Guard with the U.S. Navy. Continued serving after term as Commandant was over and eventually retired as a vice admiral by act of Congress.

Russell R. Waesche

1936

1936–1946

Russell R. Waesche

Picture

Name

Russell R. Waesche

Rank

Admiral

Start of tenure

14 June 1936

End of tenure

1 January 1946

Notes

First Commandant to be promoted to vice admiral and admiral. Commandant during World War II and helped the Coast Guard remain a separate distinct service while it was assigned to the U.S. Navy. Oversaw the largest manpower buildup in Coast Guard history and was instrumental in the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

Joseph F. Farley

Picture

Name

Joseph F. Farley

Rank

1 January 1946

Start of tenure

1 January 1950

End of tenure

Farley served during the difficult Post-World War II era when additional statutory responsibilities were being added to the Coast Guard's mission structure and personnel allowances were being reduced.

Merlin O'Neill

1950

1950–1954

Merlin O'Neill

Picture

Name

Merlin O'Neill

Rank

Vice admiral

Start of tenure

1 January 1950

End of tenure

1 June 1954

Notes

O'Neill directed the increase in port security activities required by the passage of the Magnuson Act and revitalized the Coast Guard Reserve program emphasizing its defense mission during wartime.

Alfred C. Richmond

1954

1954–1962

Alfred C. Richmond

Picture

Name

Alfred C. Richmond

Rank

Admiral

Start of tenure

1 June 1954

End of tenure

1 June 1962

Notes

Richmond served two full terms as Commandant and was the United States delegate to many international maritime conferences during his tenure.

Edwin J. Roland

Picture

Name

Edwin J. Roland

Rank

1 June 1962

Start of tenure

1 June 1966

End of tenure

Roland oversaw the replacement of many World War II era cutters under fleet modernization programs during his tenure. He assisted the U.S. Navy with operations in Vietnam by supplying crews and cutters for Operation Market Time.

Willard J. Smith

Picture

Name

Willard J. Smith

Rank

1 June 1966

Start of tenure

1 June 1970

End of tenure

Smith was the Commandant of the Coast Guard when the service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the newly formed Department of Transportation.

Chester R. Bender

Picture

Name

Chester R. Bender

Rank

1 June 1970

Start of tenure

1 June 1974

End of tenure

The Coast Guard undertook new statutory responsibilities in the areas of marine safety, environmental protection and law enforcement during his tenure, however Bender is best known for his changes in the dress uniform worn by Coast Guardsmen; sometimes referred to as "Bender's Blues".

Owen W. Siler

Picture

Name

Owen W. Siler

Rank

1 June 1974

Start of tenure

1 June 1978

End of tenure

Several changes in environmental duties occurred during Siler's tenure as well as a step-up in drug interdiction activities. Under his tenure, the replacement of aging cutters was given budget priority, and the first women entered the Coast Guard Academy.

John B. Hayes

Picture

Name

John B. Hayes

Rank

1 June 1978

Start of tenure

28 May 1982

End of tenure

Hayes experienced severe budget problems during his tenure while fending off a move in Congress to transfer the Coast Guard to the Navy. Drug interdiction was increased and several high-profile search and rescue cases occurred during his watch which helped keep the Coast Guard in the public eye.

James S. Gracey

Picture

Name

James S. Gracey

Rank

28 May 1982

Start of tenure

30 May 1986

End of tenure

Gracey faced tight budgets at the same time he was successful at replacing aging cutters. Increasing the Coast Guard's role in the defense of coastal waters was accomplished.

Paul A. Yost Jr.

Picture

Name

Paul A. Yost Jr.

Rank

30 May 1986

Start of tenure

31 May 1990

End of tenure

Yost successfully maintained the service through difficult budget battles each year. In doing so, he also emphasized three 'primary mission areas": maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, and defense readiness. There was an increased emphasis on military/naval capabilities of the service.

J. William Kime

Picture

Name

J. William Kime

Rank

31 May 1990

Start of tenure

1 June 1994

End of tenure

Kime led the service during the end of the Cold War, collapse of the Soviet Union, the Persian Gulf War's Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as increasing operations in drug interdiction and environmental law enforcement.

Robert E. Kramek

Picture

Name

Robert E. Kramek

Rank

1 June 1994

Start of tenure

30 May 1998

End of tenure

During his tenure as Commandant, he successfully led the service through difficult budget battles each year and directed the "streamlining" plan that was mandated by the National Performance Review and "Mandate for Change."

James Loy

2002

2002–2001

James Loy

Picture

Name

James Loy

Rank

30 May 1998

Start of tenure

30 May 2002

End of tenure

As the USCG Commandant, Loy reacted to the September 11 attacks of 2001. In the short term, he supervised the resumption of sea-borne trade throughout the U.S., after the USCG had shut down most major ports after the attacks. In the long term, Loy led the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was instrumental in ensuring that the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code was approved and implemented in 2002. The code came into effect in 2004.

Thomas H. Collins

2006

2006–2001

Thomas H. Collins

Picture

Name

Thomas H. Collins

Rank

30 May 2002

Start of tenure

25 May 2006

End of tenure

Collins guided the U.S. Coast Guard in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks of 2001. As part of this effort to tighten maritime security, Collins encouraged people involved in the maritime industry and the recreational boating industry to report suspicious activity to the National Response Center. This program was extended and formalized as America's Waterway Watch in 2005.

Thad W. Allen

Picture

Name

Thad W. Allen

Rank

25 May 2006

Start of tenure

25 May 2010

End of tenure

Allen led the effort to reform and modernize all aspects of the Coast Guard, improving and sustaining Mission Execution. Admiral Allen continually stated his ultimate aim was to make the Coast Guard a "change-centric" organization capable of quickly and efficiently adapting to meet the growing and ever-changing demands of the future. Additionally he was the first high-ranking member of the Federal government to embrace social media, pioneering the effort to connect to his audience through all manners of digital technology. During his final months in office he led the Coast Guard's exemplary response to the earthquake in Haiti and then, first as Commandant and concurrently as the National Incident Commander, he led the nation's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, holding the latter post well after his tenure as Commandant had come to a close.

Robert J. Papp Jr.

Picture

Name

Robert J. Papp Jr.

Rank

25 May 2010

Start of tenure

30 May 2014

Paul F. Zukunft

Picture

Name

Paul F. Zukunft

Rank

30 May 2014

Start of tenure

1 June 2018

Karl L. Schultz

Picture

Name

Karl L. Schultz

Rank

1 June 2018

Start of tenure

1 June 2022

Linda L. Fagan

Picture

Name

Linda L. Fagan

Rank

1 June 2022

Start of tenure

21 January 2025

End of tenure

Fagan is the first woman to serve as Coast Guard Commandant, and simultaneously the first woman to lead a military branch in the United States, as well as being the first Coast Guard Commandant to be relieved for cause.

Kevin E. Lunday

Acting

Picture

Name

Kevin E. Lunday

Rank

21 January 2025

Start of tenure

Incumbent

#	Picture	Name	Rank	Start of tenure	End of tenure	Notes
1		Leonard G. Shepard	Captain	14 December 1889	14 March 1895	Shepard became the first military Chief of the "Revenue-Marine Division" of the Treasury Department and is considered to be the first Commandant.
2		Charles F. Shoemaker	Captain	19 March 1895	27 March 1905	On 8 May 1908, Shoemaker was promoted to the rank of Captain-Commandant on the Retired List by Act of Congress.
3		Worth G. Ross	Captain-commandant	25 April 1905	30 April 1911	Ross was instrumental in the establishment of what was to become the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
4		Ellsworth P. Bertholf	Commodore	19 June 1911	30 June 1919	Served during the merger of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard. Was the first Coast Guard officer to achieve flag rank.
5		William E. Reynolds	Rear admiral	2 October 1919	11 January 1924	Reynolds was the first Coast Guard officer to be promoted to the rank of rear admiral.
6		Frederick C. Billard		11 January 1924	17 May 1932	Billard was appointed to three consecutive terms as Commandant and died in office 17 May 1932, serving through the Prohibition Era and reorganization of the academy.
7		Harry G. Hamlet		14 June 1932	14 June 1936	Hamlet persuaded Congress to dismiss efforts to merge the Coast Guard with the U.S. Navy. Continued serving after term as Commandant was over and eventually retired as a vice admiral by act of Congress.
8		Russell R. Waesche	Admiral	14 June 1936	1 January 1946	First Commandant to be promoted to vice admiral and admiral. Commandant during World War II and helped the Coast Guard remain a separate distinct service while it was assigned to the U.S. Navy. Oversaw the largest manpower buildup in Coast Guard history and was instrumental in the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
9		Joseph F. Farley	Admiral	1 January 1946	1 January 1950	Farley served during the difficult Post-World War II era when additional statutory responsibilities were being added to the Coast Guard's mission structure and personnel allowances were being reduced.
10		Merlin O'Neill	Vice admiral	1 January 1950	1 June 1954	O'Neill directed the increase in port security activities required by the passage of the Magnuson Act and revitalized the Coast Guard Reserve program emphasizing its defense mission during wartime.
11		Alfred C. Richmond	Admiral	1 June 1954	1 June 1962	Richmond served two full terms as Commandant and was the United States delegate to many international maritime conferences during his tenure.
12		Edwin J. Roland		1 June 1962	1 June 1966	Roland oversaw the replacement of many World War II era cutters under fleet modernization programs during his tenure. He assisted the U.S. Navy with operations in Vietnam by supplying crews and cutters for Operation Market Time.
13		Willard J. Smith		1 June 1966	1 June 1970	Smith was the Commandant of the Coast Guard when the service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the newly formed Department of Transportation.
14		Chester R. Bender		1 June 1970	1 June 1974	The Coast Guard undertook new statutory responsibilities in the areas of marine safety, environmental protection and law enforcement during his tenure, however Bender is best known for his changes in the dress uniform worn by Coast Guardsmen; sometimes referred to as "Bender's Blues".
15		Owen W. Siler		1 June 1974	1 June 1978	Several changes in environmental duties occurred during Siler's tenure as well as a step-up in drug interdiction activities. Under his tenure, the replacement of aging cutters was given budget priority, and the first women entered the Coast Guard Academy.
16		John B. Hayes		1 June 1978	28 May 1982	Hayes experienced severe budget problems during his tenure while fending off a move in Congress to transfer the Coast Guard to the Navy. Drug interdiction was increased and several high-profile search and rescue cases occurred during his watch which helped keep the Coast Guard in the public eye.
17		James S. Gracey		28 May 1982	30 May 1986	Gracey faced tight budgets at the same time he was successful at replacing aging cutters. Increasing the Coast Guard's role in the defense of coastal waters was accomplished.
18		Paul A. Yost Jr.		30 May 1986	31 May 1990	Yost successfully maintained the service through difficult budget battles each year. In doing so, he also emphasized three 'primary mission areas": maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, and defense readiness. There was an increased emphasis on military/naval capabilities of the service.
19		J. William Kime		31 May 1990	1 June 1994	Kime led the service during the end of the Cold War, collapse of the Soviet Union, the Persian Gulf War's Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as increasing operations in drug interdiction and environmental law enforcement.
20		Robert E. Kramek		1 June 1994	30 May 1998	During his tenure as Commandant, he successfully led the service through difficult budget battles each year and directed the "streamlining" plan that was mandated by the National Performance Review and "Mandate for Change."
21		James Loy		30 May 1998	30 May 2002	As the USCG Commandant, Loy reacted to the September 11 attacks of 2001. In the short term, he supervised the resumption of sea-borne trade throughout the U.S., after the USCG had shut down most major ports after the attacks. In the long term, Loy led the U.S. delegation to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was instrumental in ensuring that the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code was approved and implemented in 2002. The code came into effect in 2004.
22		Thomas H. Collins		30 May 2002	25 May 2006	Collins guided the U.S. Coast Guard in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks of 2001. As part of this effort to tighten maritime security, Collins encouraged people involved in the maritime industry and the recreational boating industry to report suspicious activity to the National Response Center. This program was extended and formalized as America's Waterway Watch in 2005.
23		Thad W. Allen		25 May 2006	25 May 2010	Allen led the effort to reform and modernize all aspects of the Coast Guard, improving and sustaining Mission Execution. Admiral Allen continually stated his ultimate aim was to make the Coast Guard a "change-centric" organization capable of quickly and efficiently adapting to meet the growing and ever-changing demands of the future. Additionally he was the first high-ranking member of the Federal government to embrace social media, pioneering the effort to connect to his audience through all manners of digital technology. During his final months in office he led the Coast Guard's exemplary response to the earthquake in Haiti and then, first as Commandant and concurrently as the National Incident Commander, he led the nation's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, holding the latter post well after his tenure as Commandant had come to a close.
24		Robert J. Papp Jr.		25 May 2010	30 May 2014
25		Paul F. Zukunft		30 May 2014	1 June 2018
26		Karl L. Schultz		1 June 2018	1 June 2022
27		Linda L. Fagan		1 June 2022	21 January 2025	Fagan is the first woman to serve as Coast Guard Commandant, and simultaneously the first woman to lead a military branch in the United States, as well as being the first Coast Guard Commandant to be relieved for cause.
Acting		Kevin E. Lunday		21 January 2025	Incumbent

References

Bertholf was reappointed Captain-Commandant on 19 June 1915 following the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service into the
Appointed Commandant as rear admiral. Appointed admiral 4 April 1945. First officer to attain ranks of vice admiral and
O'Neill retired from the Coast Guard on 1 June 1954 with the rank of admiral.
Appointed as a vice admiral and received promotion to admiral on 1 June 1960 by Public Law 86-474, under which all Coast
Noble, p 24
Noble, p 21
U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
https://www.history.uscg.mil/browse-by-topic/notable-people/commandants/
Captain Leonard G. Shepard, U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office, https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-Pe
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/Article/1762441/captain-leonard-g-shepard/
Kroll, pp 107–108
U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/Article/1762602/rear-admiral-harry-g-hamlet/
U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/Article/1762609/admiral-russell-r-waesche/
Vice Admiral Merlin O'Neill, U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office, https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-P
https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/All/Article/1762639/vice-admiral-merlin-oneill/