The vice commandant of the Coast Guard serves as the second-in-command of the United States Coast Guard, behind only the commandant of the Coast Guard.

Since 1929, 35 officers have served as vice commandant, or, as the position was referred to before 1972, assistant commandant. The title of the position was changed effective October 2, 1972, pursuant to . This position has been historically held by a vice admiral until the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 elevated the statutory rank for the position to admiral.

The 35th and current vice commandant is Admiral Thomas G. Allan Jr, since 27 February 2026. Allan also served as the acting vice commandant from 3 July 2025 to 26 February 2026.

Vice commandants of the Coast Guard No. Name Photo Tenure 1 CaptainBenjamin M. Chiswell 1929–1931 2 Rear AdmiralLeon C. Covell 1931–1941 3 Rear AdmiralLloyd T. Chalker 1941–1946 4 Vice AdmiralMerlin O'Neill 1946–1949 5 Rear AdmiralAlfred C. Richmond 1949–1954 6 Vice AdmiralJames Hirshfield 1954–1962 7 Vice AdmiralEdwin J. Roland 1962–1962 8 Vice AdmiralDonald M. Morrison 1962–1964 9 Vice AdmiralWilliam D. Shields 1964–1966 10 Vice AdmiralPaul E. Trimble 1966–1970 11 Vice AdmiralThomas R. Sargent III 1970–1974 12 Vice AdmiralEllis L. Perry 1974–1978 13 Vice AdmiralRobert H. Scarborough 1978–1982 14 Vice AdmiralBenedict L. Stabile 1982–1986 15 Vice AdmiralJames C. Irwin 1986–1988 16 Vice AdmiralClyde T. Lusk 1988–1990 17 Vice AdmiralMartin H. Daniell 1990–1992 18 Vice AdmiralRobert T. Nelson 1992–1994 19 Vice AdmiralArthur E. Henn 1994–1996 20 Vice AdmiralRichard D. Herr 1996–1998 21 Vice AdmiralJames C. Card 1998–2000 22 Vice AdmiralThomas H. Collins 2000–2002 23 Vice AdmiralThomas J. Barrett 2002–2004 24 Vice AdmiralTerry M. Cross 2004–2006 25 Vice AdmiralVivien Crea 2006–2009 26 Vice AdmiralDavid Pekoske 2009–2010 27 Vice AdmiralSally Brice-O'Hara 2010–2012 28 Vice AdmiralJohn Currier 2012–2014 29 Vice AdmiralPeter Neffenger 2014–201530 AdmiralCharles D. MichelOriginally a vice admiral when he assumed office on August 6, 2015. Michel was promoted to admiral on May 24, 2016 when the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 elevated the vice commandant's rank to admiral. 2015–201831 AdmiralCharles W. Ray 2018–202132 AdmiralLinda L. Fagan 2021–202233 AdmiralSteven D. Poulin 2022–202434 AdmiralKevin E. Lunday 2024–2025 - Vice AdmiralThomas G. Allan Jr.Acting 2025–202635 AdmiralThomas G. Allan Jr. 2026–present

See also

Commandant of the Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Vice Chief of Naval Operations Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Vice Chief of Space Operations

References

Vice Commandants of the Coast Guard

External links Vice Commandant's official website