Admiral Steven D. Poulin assumed the duties as the 33rd Vice Commandant on May 31st, 2022. As the Vice Service Chief and Chief Operating Officer, Admiral Poulin executes the Commandant’s Strategic Intent, manages internal organizational governance and serves as the Component Acquisition Executive.
He reports to Coast Guard Headquarters from a tour as the Commander, Atlantic Area, and Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force East. He concurrently served as Director, Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Force East. Prior flag assignments include U.S. Southern Command's Director of Operations, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel of the Coast Guard, and the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs.
He served as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile, where he directed Coast Guard operations in Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle and was the Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response operations in that same geographical area from April to October 2010. His previous operational tours include Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector Mobile, AL; Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Group Galveston, TX; Law Enforcement Officer and Assistant Operations Officer at Coast Guard Group Mobile, AL; and as Deck Watch Officer on USCG DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624).
Admiral Poulin has served in numerous staff and special assignments including, the Chief, Office of Maritime and International Law; Special Advisor for Border and Transportation Security in the Office of the Vice President; the Coast Guard's liaison to the State Department's Office of Ocean Affairs; Legal Counsel for the Coast Guard's Port Security Director; and Legislative Counsel in the Coast Guard's Office of Congressional Affairs. He also served on the U.S. delegation to the Legal Committee of the IMO and the Coast Guard's General Law Division.
Admiral Poulin graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. He was awarded his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992. Other degrees include: Master of Law (Environmental Law), with highest honors, from the George Washington University Law School in 2002; Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2005; and Master of Public Administration from the University of South Alabama in 1989. His military decorations include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), and Coast Guard Achievement Medal.