Linda Fagan

Linda Fagan shattered one of the last remaining military glass ceilings when she was sworn in as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard in June 2022, becoming the first female service chief in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. She oversees 42,000 active-duty, 7,000 reserve, 8,700 civilian personnel, 21,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers and an operating annual budget of more than $13 billion.

Admiral Fagan previously served as the 32nd Vice Commandant and was the branch's first female four-star admiral. She has served on all seven continents, from Antarctica to Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way. Her first posting was on an icebreaker in Antarctica.

Possessing extensive interagency as well as intergovernmental experience, Admiral Fagan has worked with both the International Maritime Organization and International Labor Organization on flag state and port state issues. This work includes the development of the International Ship and Port Security Code, and the Consolidated Maritime Labor Convention.

She has earned numerous personal and team awards during her 37 years of Coast Guard service, including being named to Forbes' 50 Over 50 list. Admiral Fagan is the longest serving active duty Marine Safety Officer and holds the distinction of being the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident.

Admiral Fagan holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington, and a Master in National Resource Strategy degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.