Admiral Thad W. Allen, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
The Commandant of the US Coast Guard is the highest ranking member of the US Coast Guard. He is the only four-star Admiral of the Coast Guard, and is appointed for a four year term by the President of the United States upon confirmation of the US Senate. He is assisted by a Vice-Commandant, two Assistant Commandants/Area Commanders and a Chief of Staff, all of whom are three-star Vice Admirals. Unlike the Commandant of the Marine Corps, The Coast Guard Commandant is not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He reports to the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense. Prior to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the Coast Guard Commandant reported to the Secretary of Transportation.
State of the Coast Guard Address 2008
Modernizing the Coast Guard for the 21st Century
25 Jan 2008 | U.S. Coast Guard Posture Statement (PDF, 10 MB) |
U.S. Coast Guard FY09 Congressional Stage Budget (PDF, 4 MB) | |
19 Dec 2007 | A Cause for Action: Coast Guard Modernization & Transformation in the 21st Century (PPT, 257 KB) |