Fagan Would Make History as First Female Head of a Service Branch

Sydney Glynn — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:34:50 -0400

Linda L. Fagan, who last year became the U.S. Coast Guard’s first female four-star admiral, was nominated this month by President Joe Biden to become its first female commandant.

If confirmed by the Senate to the top job, Fagan would become the first woman to lead a service branch of the U.S. military.

“President Biden has made an exceptional choice,” Alejandro N. Mayorkas, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said in an April 5 statement on Fagan’s “historic” nomination.

“Over Admiral Fagan’s 36 years in the Coast Guard,” he added, “she has served on seven continents, was previously commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety Field.” For her more than three decades of active-duty service as a Marine Safety Officer, Fagan is the first-ever recipient of the Gold Ancient Trident.

Fagan has been serving as the 32nd USCG’s vice commandant since June 18, 2021. In that role, she is vice service chief and chief operating officer, where she oversees strategy, organizational governance and acquisitions.

At 44% female, Biden’s cabinet has most representation of women ever in history, according to data tracked by The Leadership Council for Women in National Security. However, Biden is still falling short of his stated goal of gender parity in national security leadership, the group said.

If confirmed, Fagan would lead an organization of about 50,000 personnel, who operate under a mix of authorities in law enforcement, national security, first response and environmental stewardship. The Coast Guard operates a fleet of 259 cutters, 200 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft and over 1,600 boats.

Other USCG female firsts

Female service in the Coast Guard dates to the 1830s, when women were assigned as keepers in the Lighthouse Service, according to a USCG document, “Women in the U.S. Coast Guard: Moments in History.”

Other female firsts in the history of the Coast Guard highlighted in the document include:

From 1859 to 1862, Maria Andreu (or Maria Mestre de los Dolores) served as keeper of the St. Augustine, Florida, Lighthouse, becoming the first Hispanic American woman in the Coast Guard and the first Hispanic American woman to oversee a federal shore installation.

In 1945, Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch and Aileen Cooke became the first African American women to enter the USCG reserves program.

In August 1978, all personnel restrictions based on sex are lifted, opening up all officer and enlisted career fields to women; the following year, Beverly Kelley became the first female commanding officer afloat, taking command of the Coast Guard Cutter Cape Newagen.

In June 1985, two female lieutenant junior grades, Vickie Karnes and Cathy Bierne, piloted an HU-25A off the West Coast of Florida in the first all-female flight mission for the Coast Guard.

In 1988, Grace Parmelle becomes the first Asian-Pacific American female warrant officer.

In 1990, 14 women reservists deploy to the Persian Gulf, and Mary Fowlkes as an SK-1 (storekeeper 1st class petty officer) becomes the first African American female to deploy to the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm.

In June 2005, Lt. j.g. Jeanine McIntish-Menze earns her wings as the first African American female Coast Guard aviator.

In June 2012, CW Kilohana Akim is the first female Pacific Islander of Hawaiian descent to be promoted to investigator petty officer third class.

Learn more

Read the DHS statement on Fagan’s nomination: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/04/05/statement-secretary-mayorkas-president-bidens-nominations-admiral-linda-l-fagan

Read about Fagan’s previous promotion: https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/adm-linda-fagan-becomes-uscgs-first-female-four-star-admiral.

Read a chronology of women’s service in the Coast Guard: https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/Women/Women-in-Coast-Guard-Historical-Chronology.

Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on President Biden’s Nominations of Admiral Linda L. Fagan for...

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on President Biden’s nominations of Admiral Linda L. Fagan to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and Vice Admiral Steven D. Poulin to serve as the 33rd Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Response by SMSgt Anil Heendeniya made Apr 20 at 2022 3:55 PM

SMSgt Anil Heendeniya — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:55:17 -0400

Congratulations to Admiral Fagan!
On another note, is it normal for USCG personnel to wear both ribbons AND medals on the same uniform?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 20 at 2022 4:23 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:23:48 -0400

Gender should have no bearing on military promotions, performance is all that matters. Further, there should be some correlation to male vs female numbers of promotions.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 20 at 2022 9:49 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:49:16 -0400

Good share

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Apr 20 at 2022 11:57 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 23:57:16 -0400

I Can't Speak For Anyone Else, But Im Sick Of Hearing All This Politically Correct Crap & About Which Race Some Person Was When GIVEN A Position Of Power And Authority, Just To Even-Up The Odds.
And Which One Of Them Will Be "Next In Line"....

Just Give Me A Qualified Individual;
I Don't Even Want To Hear The Applause For A Possible Mistake In The Selection..

Response by TSgt John McClain made Apr 21 at 2022 2:39 AM

TSgt John McClain — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 02:39:39 -0400

Congratulations , Well deserved, good luck in forward and future endeavors .

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Apr 21 at 2022 4:57 AM

SrA Ronald Moore — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 04:57:08 -0400

I salute you , Congratulations Admiral LindaL.Fagan

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 6:56 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:56:04 -0400

Bravo Zulu Admiral Fagan!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 2:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:34:26 -0400

I thought we weren't supposed to care about gender? Why are we always making a big deal when a woman is doing something?
And on another note, what's with the dude on the right with his arm tattoos? I thought that kind of stuff was detrimental to deployment readiness?

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Apr 21 at 2022 7:13 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 19:13:10 -0400

Do I Understand THIS Correctly?
"Further, there should be some correlation to male vs female numbers of promotions."?
I Must Ask "WHY"?
Shouldn't ALL Promotions Be Based Upon
Previous Performances And Abilities;
And NOT Based Upon What's Between Your Legs ?
I Just See This Crap As Nothing More Than "Political Correctness",
Not A Damned Thing More...
IE, "Bull Shit"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2022 12:37 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 00:37:36 -0400

If the scales weren't tilted for so long we wouldn't have to see headlines like this. I understand the misogynists are out of sorts right now but they will get over it.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 23 at 2022 4:08 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 16:08:31 -0400

How about we stop doing all these 'firsts' and go with most qualified.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2022 9:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 21:20:19 -0400

Obviously the best candidate for the job. She should probably speak with whomever put her uniform together. The ribbons on her right side aren't in the correct order of precedence. Why does she have 2 sea service ribbons, the LOC isn't worn after unit awards, and the unit com is backwards for full dress.

I particularly don't care about "notable firsts", but leaving Vice Admiral Vivien S. Crea off the list is disappointing.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 27 at 2022 4:59 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 16:59:38 -0400

Smart pick if you just look at qualifications, gender should have nothing to do with it.

Response by Cpl Darryl Heaston made Apr 30 at 2022 11:00 PM

Cpl Darryl Heaston — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 23:00:51 -0400

Is Coastguard a military unit? Lol

Response by SGT Jimmy Moon made May 1 at 2022 7:58 AM

SGT Jimmy Moon — Sun, 01 May 2022 07:58:41 -0400

Not enough good men to stand up and lead our nation's Armed Forces. Sad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2022 10:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 May 2022 10:27:19 -0400

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney 1 h
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - ...
I Love The Term "Triggered"
Is It Supposed To Be Some Sort Of A Fashion Statement Or Something? "Tra-La-La."
Anyway, Thanks For The Info.
It Just Seems As Though; Sense The End Of The Draft, This Country Has Lost A LOT Of Men
And Added "Males In TUTU'S" To Replace Them....
What A Pile Of S**T This Country Is Being Turned Into.
I Recall When We Built This Country Into THE Most Loved & Respected Country In The WORLD. Then Having To Witness These Woosies Put It Down The Crapper... Then Flushing Twice...
Buy Your Kid A Squirt Gun & Some F**Ken Idiot'll Turn You In For CHILD ABUSE.
Buy Him A Sling Shot & You're Turning Him Into A Mass Murderer Or A Serial Killer.
As A Kid I Spent Some Time Living Over Seas And I Go Back To Visit Friends & Family Occasionally...
Now I KNOW Why People Living Over Seas Laugh Their AZZES Off At Us.
Because We Deserve It !!
THERE, I'm DONE....
Stab Me With A Fork.!!
But Be Careful, You Just Might Be Charged With Attempted Murder...
LMAO.

Ah another one of the right wing clique who blocked me because they don't like to hear a difference of opinion. How predictable...

You're In "Army Intelligence"?.... LMAO...
MAN Did Someone Screw-Up On YOUR MOS...!!
BTW: Just WHERE Did I Say "She's Not Qualified"?
Did I Miss Something Or Did You Miss Something?
I Guess One Of Us Must Have, But Whom?
Must Be ME. Because You're In Intelligence (?)

By The Way, Thanks For Your Disapproving (Thumb Down) On My Other Post, Regarding My Disapproval Of Promoting Individuals To Balance The Power
By Promoting Due To Sex To Balance The Ranks BY Sex...
Makes Me Want To Join The WACS Or The Navy's WAVES....
Gee... Now I Have To Be A: "fragile white male sensitivities that much?", Do I?
It's Not A Problem To Mention Someone Being FIRST At Anything,
It Matters To Separate Them By Race & Sex... Next We'll Need To Separate By Height, Weight And Shoe Style Preferences
When Will We Next Mention A Japanese, Korean, Irish Born, Okinawan Raised American With Freckles?.. LOL...
Where Do You Fruit Cakes Come From; San Francisco, ARGENTINA?
How's That Grab Ya, Right In Your "D" Cup Fellow?

I have no idea what you're saying in your nonsensical posts. None of them make sense. And do you think I'm a guy? LOL I'm not. You read my profile - it clearly says female. So I'm not sure what you mean with your D cup comment...but you called me "fellow." I'm not a fellow. No I'm not from Argentina or San Francisco - and yes I'm MI. And? No one screwed up with my MOS. At all.

I have no idea what you were trying to say because again, your comments are fully nonsensical and you come off as a crazy person. "... what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it."

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2022 7:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 May 2022 19:58:26 -0400

Listen up people... By a recent Biden White House executive order: All Federal Agencies now officially define a Woman as: "A Birthing Person"!

Response by SSgt Don Porter made Jun 7 at 2022 11:01 AM

SSgt Don Porter — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 11:01:07 -0400

Of course he did: FakePresident, Coup leader

Response by PO3 Steven Guess made Jul 10 at 2022 11:25 AM

PO3 Steven Guess — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 11:25:42 -0400

MCPO Roger Collins, if gender should have no bearing on promotions, then why should there be any correlation between genders for promotion? You made 2 statements that are at complete disagreement with one another.
The primary reason for the military is to break things and kill people better than any other countries military. It is not a democracy and it is definitely not supposed to be a social justice experiment.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Jul 13 at 2022 3:11 PM

SPC Robert Bobo — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:11:52 -0400

The "pandering" has gotten out of control, the first black ( I'm black), the first openly gay, the first women, first Hispanic etc. Would prefer to see more focus on credentials not skin color

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Oct 19 at 2022 4:11 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:11:05 -0400

This is great and she has payed her dues! The Coast Guard is often below the radar. Unless you are close to waterways.

Response by PVT Nathan Bousfield made Feb 26 at 2023 9:49 AM

PVT Nathan Bousfield — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 09:49:02 -0500

She stood out in the state of the union. Congratulations for the Coasties, and the branch's for a solid win. Congratulations to you, Ma'am.