The U.S. Coast Guard promoted Vice Commandant Charles Michel to the rank of admiral during a ceremony held Wednesday at the Coast Guard headquarters in a move to follow the leadership structure of other services.
As vice commandant, Michel leads the Coast Guard’s senior operational and mission support commanders and headquarters staff, the service branch said Wednesday.
He previously served as deputy commandant for operations at the service branch and oversaw operational strategy, policy, guidance and resources, before he took the vice commandant role in August last year.
Michel held flag officer assignments with the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Joint Interagency Task Force South, the Coast Guard’s governmental and public affairs directorate and the Department of Homeland Security.
He also served as a commanding officer aboard USCGC Resolute, executive officer for USCGC Dauntless, commanding officer of USCGC Cape Current and deck watch officer for USCGC Decisive.
Michel was also a chief of the Office of Maritime and International Law, staff attorney for the Eighth Coast Guard District, head of the operations division for the Office of Maritime and International Law and legislative counsel for the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs.
