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Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
Commander, Atlantic Area / Commander, Defense Force
East
United States Coast Guard
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Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. assumed the duties as Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area (LANTAREA) in July 2008, where he serves as the operational commander for all U.S. Coast Guard missions within the eastern half of the world. LANTAREA ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf and spans an area of responsibility including five Coast Guard Districts, 42 states with over 14 million square miles, and serves with more than 51,000 military and civilian employees and Auxiliarists.
Vice Admiral Papp concurrently serves as Commander, Defense Force East and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders.
Before assuming command of LANTAREA Vice Admiral Papp served
as the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard in Washington, DC, overseeing all
management functions of the Coast Guard. From 2004 to 2006 he served as
Commander, Ninth Coast Guard
District, with responsibilities for Coast Guard
missions on the Great Lakes and Northern Border.
Vice Admiral Papp was promoted to Flag rank in October 2002 and appointed the Director of Reserve and Training. He was responsible for managing and supporting 13,000 Coast Guard Ready Reservists and all Coast Guard Training Centers.
He served in six Coast Guard Cutters and commanded the Cutters RED BEECH, PAPAW, FORWARD, and the Coast Guard’s training barque, EAGLE. He has also served as commander of a task unit during Operation ABLE MANNER off the coast of Haiti in 1994, enforcing United Nations sanctions. Additionally, his task unit augmented U.S. Naval Forces during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY.
Vice Admiral Papp’s assignments ashore have included the Commandant of Cadets staff at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Aids to Navigation staff in the Third Coast Guard District; Chief of the Capabilities Branch in the Defense Operations Division; Chief of the Fleet Development Team; Director of the Leadership Development Center; Chief of the Coast Guard’s Office of Congressional Affairs; and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard.
He is a 1975 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina College.
Vice Admiral Papp is the 13th Gold Ancient Mariner of the Coast Guard which is an honorary position held by an officer with over ten years of cumulative sea duty who is charged with keeping a close watch to ensure sea-service traditions are continued and the time-honored reputation of the Coast Guard is maintained.