Rear Admiral Joseph R. Castillo
Commander
Eleventh Coast Guard District
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Rear Admiral Castillo assumed his duties as Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District in July 2009, becoming the first Hispanic to command a Coast Guard District. As such, he oversees all Coast Guard operations in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. His area of responsibility includes 3.3 million square miles of coastal and offshore waters extending 1000 nautical miles off California's coast, and south to the Colombian/Ecuadorian border in South America.
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Director of Response Policy (CG-53) in Coast Guard Headquarters. There, he oversaw the development of strategic doctrine and policy guidance for Coast Guard forces to effectively and efficiently accomplish operational maritime missions in the areas of law enforcement, search and rescue, counterterrorism and defense , operation incident management and preparedness, and the contingency exercises program.
Rear Admiral Castillo previously served as Chief of Staff for the 9th Coast Guard District in Cleveland, Ohio and commanded Group New Orleans, Louisiana. As the 8th District Chief of Operations in New Orleans, he was instrumental in leading the Coast Guard's efforts to rescue and evacuate over 33,500 people from New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama coasts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Rear Admiral Castillo has spent the majority of his career in operational assignments, alternating with staff tours at the District and Area levels. Special duty assignments included Officer in Charge of Forward Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during Operation Able Manner and Coast Guard Liaison Officer on the Multi-National Force in Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.
Following his graduation from Sherman E. Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, California, Rear Admiral Castillo attended the Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management, in 1978. He also holds a Master of Science in Industrial Relations as well as a Professional Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. He is also a Distinguished Graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal with "O" Device (two awards), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with "O" Device (six awards), the Army Commendation Medal, the 9-11 Medal, and numerous other awards including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Boat Forces Insignia, and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. He has also been recognized with selection as a Kentucky Colonel, and the Association of Naval Service Officers' Secretary Hidalgo Award..
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