Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen M. Nielsen announced the nomination by President Donald J. Trump of Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz to be the 26th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Thursday.
Vice Adm. Schultz, the commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, currently serves as the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf, spanning across five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states.
Pending confirmation, he is expected to relieve Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Paul F. Zukunft in a change of command ceremony June 1, 2018, in Washington, D.C.
Adm. Zukunft will retire following the change of command this summer.
“Vice Adm. Schultz will provide the sound leadership and steady hand needed to guide our global military service further into this dynamic and extraordinary era of our Nation,” said Adm. Zukunft.
Vice Adm. Schultz has selected and the president has nominated Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, the current Deputy Commandant for Operations, as the Coast Guard’s 31st Vice Commandant.
Pending confirmation, Vice Adm. Ray will relieve Adm. Charles D. Michel in a change of watch ceremony May 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Adm. Michel, the Coast Guard’s first four-star Vice Commandant, will retire following the change of watch.
“I’m pleased that President Trump has nominated Vice Admiral Karl L. Schultz to be the next Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen.
“Vice Admiral Schultz has over 35 years of Coast Guard leadership experience, and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the men and women of the Coast Guard with honor and integrity.”
“Vice Admiral Schultz has exemplified the selfless service that defines the U.S. Coast Guard throughout his remarkable career, and I look forward to working closely with him in this new role.”
In addition to his duties at Atlantic Area, he serves as Commander, Defense Force East, and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders.
He also serves as Director, DHS Joint Task Force East, responsible for achieving the objectives of the DHS Southern Border, including addressing threats posed by transnational criminal organizations.
Vice Admiral Schultz also has extensive experience coordinating and collaborating across DHS agencies and with the Department of Defense.
Vice Admiral Ray currently serves as the Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, where he is responsible for the development of operational strategy, policy, guidance, and resources that address national priorities.
(Hear from Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz as he emphasizes the importance of being prepared during National Safe Boating Week and all year long. Courtesy of the National Safe Boating Council and YouTube)
He previously served as the Pacific Area Commander.
