Linda L. Fagan

Linda Lee Fagan (born July 1, 1963) 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. 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. She was confirmed on June 17, 2021, and assumed office on June 18.

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. Her nomination was sent to the United States Senate on April 7, 2022, receiving confirmation by unanimous consent on May 11. She assumed office on June 1.

Early life and education

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.

Career

Fagan 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. 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. "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. 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.”

Awards and decorations

Personal life and family

Fagan is the daughter of Jon Harley Keene and Loann Carol (Morris) Keene. Her daughter Aileen is also a United States Coast Guard Academy graduate.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.