COMMANDANTS———————————————————————

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is the service chief and its highest-ranking member. The Commandant is nominated for the position by the Secretary of Homeland Security and, upon confirmation by the United States Senate, is appointed for a four-year term by the President.

The Commandant is directly assisted by the Vice Commandant, two Area Commanders, two Assistant Commandants (Deputy Commandant for Operations and Deputy Commandant for Mission Support), and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. The Commandant serves as the operational commander of the Coast Guard; unique as the other service chiefs fulfill only administrative roles.

Unlike their counterparts in the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Commanant is not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, the Commandant is afforded “privilege of the floor” under Standing Rules of the Senate as a de facto Joint Chiefs of Staff member during presidential addresses.

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ADMIRAL ROBERT E. KRAMEK
20th Commandant
1 June 1994 - 30 May 1998
First Commandant to have a personal challenge coin
The very first challenge coin I received in person - Summer 1997 - San Pedro, CA

ADMIRAL ROBERT E. KRAMEK
20th Commandant
1 June 1994 - 30 May 1998
Presented by ADM Robert E. Kramek
Commandant USCG
(Coin: 1-1/2” diameter)

ADMIRAL ROBERT E. KRAMEK
20th Commandant
1 June 1994 - 30 May 1998
Coin Paperweight in Acrylic
(Coin: 1-1/2” diameter; Overall: 4” W x 5” H x 1/2” thick)

ADMIRAL JAMES M. LOY
21st Commandant
30 May 1998 - 30 May 2002
2002 State of the Coast Guard Address

ADMIRAL THOMAS H. COLLINS
22nd Commandant
30 May 2002 - 25 May 2006

ADMIRAL ROBERT J. PAPP, Jr.
24th Commandant
25 May 2010 - 30 May 2014

ADMIRAL ROBERT J. PAPP, Jr.
24th Commandant
25 May 2010 - 30 May 2014
Wooden Presentation Box
(6-1/4” x 6-1/4”)
(Coin: 3” diameter)

ADMIRAL PAUL F. ZUKUNFT
25th Commandant
30 May 2014 - 1 June 2018
(2-1/4” W x 2-1/8” H)

ADMIRAL KARL L. SCHULTZ
26th Commandant
1 June 2018 - 1 June 2022
(2-1/4” diameter; 1/4” thick)

ADMIRAL LINDA L. FAGAN
27th Commandant
1 June 2022 - 21 January 2025
● First woman to serve as Coast Guard Commandant
● First woman to head a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
● First woman to serve as both Commandant and Vice Commandant
● First woman to attain the rank of Admiral in the Coast Guard
● Eighth woman to achieve 4-star rank in U.S. Armed Forces
Coast Guard's First Gold Ancient Trident
(The Officer with the longest service in the Marine Safety field)
● First Coast Guard Commandant to be relieved for cause
(2-1/2” W x 2-1/2” H x 1/4” thick)

ADMIRAL KEVIN E. LUNDAY
Acting Commandant
21 January 2025 - 18 December 2025
(2-1/4” diameter)

From the Commandant
United States Coast Guard
Coin Paperweight in Acrylic
(Coin: 1-3/4” diameter; Overall: 4-3/4” W x 3-3/4” H x 7/8” thick)

Commandant’s Flag Mess
Culinary Specialist
Special Command Aide