The Next Commandant of the Coast Guard

President Obama intends to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Posted by Christopher Lagan, Friday, February 28, 2014

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

President Obama intends to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Posted by Christopher Lagan, Friday, February 28, 2014

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

On February 28, 2014, it was announced that President Obama plans to nominate Vice Admiral Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the Coast Guard.

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel. - See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel. - See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

President Obama intends to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Posted by Christopher Lagan, Friday, February 28, 2014

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

President Obama intends to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Posted by Christopher Lagan, Friday, February 28, 2014

Moments ago, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

Paul F. Zukunft (born 1955) is a Vice Admiral in the United States Coast Guard. He assumed the duties of Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area in April 2012, where he serves as the operational commander for all U.S. Coast Guard missions within the half of the world that ranges from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa. He concurrently serves as Commander, Defense Force West and provides Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders.
Vice Admiral Zukunft was promoted to flag rank in 2006, and his five previous flag assignments include The Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship; Director of Response Policy, Assistant Commandant for Capability; Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District and Director, Joint Interagency Task Force West. Additionally, Vice Admiral Zukunft served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Spill of National Significance in 2010, and directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft during one of the largest oil spills in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft has served extensively at sea, commanding the USCGC Rush, USCGC Harriet Lane, and the USCGC Cape Upright. Vice Admiral Zukunft’s senior staff assignments include Chief of Operations, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Chief of Operations Oversight, Coast Guard Atlantic Area where he directly supervised all major cutter operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He also served as Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Coast Guard District in Honolulu.
Vice Admiral Zukunft graduated from the U.S. United States Coast Guard Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Government. He attended Webster University in 1988 where he received his Masters of Arts degree in Management, and the United States Naval War College in 1997 graduating with a Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies Executive Seminar and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership Initiative course.
Vice Admiral Zukunft is a native of North Branford, Connecticut. He wears the permanent Cutterman Insignia and is a certified NIMS ICS Type I Incident Commander. His personal awards include the Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legion of Merit, and five Meritorious Service Medals medals with “O” device among others.
On February 28, 2014, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced that President Obama intended to nominate Zukunft for the position of Commandant of the Coast Guard, succeeding Admiral Robert Papp.

 There were four VADMs considered, Zukunft, Brown, Parker and Neffinger.
I considered them all "fully qualified", but I still believe that VADM Manson K. Brown is the "best qualified".

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, currently Pacific Area commander, to be the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard in an all hands email to DHS personnel.
Dear Colleagues,

Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

I am proud to announce President Obama’s intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history.
Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University.
If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader – Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work.
Sincerely,
Jeh Charles Johnson
Secretary of Homeland Security
- See more at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/president-obama-intends-to-nominate-vice-adm-paul-f-zukunft-as-the-25th-commandant-of-the-u-s-coast-guard/#sthash.4zx7vhfF.dpuf

 LLS @
As I sat in the audience at ADM Manson K. Brown's Change of Command ceremony in Alameda California I saw what had become of the braniac high school senior that I had recruited out of Saint John's Prep School in Washington, DC in 1973. What I saw surpassed my wildest expectations. I saw a Coast Guard Admiral of cosmopolitan intellectualism and oratorical eloquence. With his image and the power of his words, he embodies the type of leader that the Coast Guard needed in the coming years. RADM Brown projected a youthful vigor and indescribable charisma. There was an inherent decency and sincerity in his pleasant face and smile. This is the 2nd time he has been insulted by the Great Sea Daddy in Washington, DC. Twice he has been denied the top job. He is the best and the brightest that we have to offer. When will we ever see another? America was ready, twice with POTUS. The Coast Guard has missed the boat, twice.


Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Vince Patton @ My two cents ... The decision on selection of the Commandant's is the President of the United States, not the current Commandant. I'm blessed that for the first time in my 42 year affiliation with the USCG, a well qualified African American flag officer, who have already broke the color barrier by his promotion to vice admiral, was sent to the president for consideration. I do know this personally, that all four of the VADMs who were considered, Zukunft, Brown, Parker and Neffinger were all interviewed personally by the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson (also an African American), as well as President Obama. As much as I would have truly loved to see VADM Brown be selected, I understand the process, and accept the selection of VADM Zukunft, with whom I also personally know, and have worked with over the years.

We can all only speculate what happens when it gets into the hands of the decision makers. But before we all get upset over the decision made, know that we also had TWO very senior African American leaders involved in this process. Let's take a step back and note all of the wonderful things that has progressed to this point. In past selections for the Commandant, can any of you ever recall at least one African American involved in the selection process?

Let us not forget that we still have a lot to celebrate here - VADM Brown has achieved a rank that many of us on this Facebook page thought we would probably never see in our lifetime. For that matters, we probably never thought we'd see an African American President OR an African American "Secretary of the Coast Guard" (a coined term that former Secy Norm Mineta often used to amplify that he was indeed a military service level secretary).

 

VADM Zukunft is one of the best officers that I have ever known and worked with during the course of my career. I first met him when he was XO of the BEAR, and as CO of the HARRIET LANE when I was LANTAREA Command Master Chief. I visited both of those ships numerous times and the crew gave glowing remarks about him. The only issue that I ever recall dealing with during that time was one crewmember didn't want to transfer to another ship because he "preferred" to say with then "CDR Z." I even had one young man who had been masted by then CDR Z praise the captain for his fairness in dealing with the matter.

VADM Z also selected a female who became his command master chief, who also happens to be a lesbian. He knew it when he selected her. He selected her for her performance, experience and qualifications for the job (as did VADM Brown when she worked for him).

So - let's set aside our displeasure that "our man" didn't get the job. Instead, let's praise the fact that "our man" is revered by many as one of THE BEST Coast Guard officers of all time - and he is in the history books - FOREVER!

LLS @ Well said. All true. You make a good case, but as any attorney will tell you, at a trial, there are always, at least, three sides or more to any story; however, only two will be presented at trial. Granted, half a loaf is better than no loaf; and, we are now more involved in the process, as we should be; and, every Three-Star ever considered for COMDT has been more than qualified for the job. None of the people in the selection process: POTUS or SecDHS, was making a decision based on qualifications, or "best qualified". They were making a political decision. Obama and Johnson know less about the USCG than any middle level CDR or CAPT. I do not agree with many of the political decisions being made by this group of politicians who are in power behind the scenes. Manson Brown was not our man; he was the Coast Guard's and the country's man, among others. For me, he was historically and politically correct, twice. The best man is not always the most popular with the crew. I never saw a Black Academy grad commissioned officer until my friend, Merle Smith graduated from USCGA in 1966. Until then, I have never seen a Black officer above the rank of CWO or LTJG, and they were all former enlisted men.  From CAPT Mike Healy, skipper of the CGC Bear, to VADM Manson Brown, many times through out CG history, the "best qualified" officer has been Black; but, he was never the most "politically correct". I will accept VADM 'Z', because that is what we do: we accept, we put the best face on it, we go along to get along; but, having traveled the road that I have, and seen the things that I have, and having heard the things that I have, I know that we have been "snookered" again. Since it is in the nature of America, to be politically correct, and to pass around the coveted positions (President, SecState, Supreme Court Justice, etc) to its various constituents (Blacks, women, gays), then, now was the time, and the last chance for a long time to come, to allow the USCG to play its part in the Great American Saga. This chance may not come again for a hundred years; maybe never.
Moreover, let me say this with charity for all and malice towards none, white officers are a dime a dozen. Every year there is a fresh crop of Commanders and Captains ready for promotion to Admiral; and Vice Admirals ready for consideration for Commandant. How often is there a Black Vice Admiral fully qualified and ready for Commandant?? Not once in a life time; no, maybe once in ten life's-time. Manson K. Brown is the first in over 200 years. Whence comes another!!!??