Captain Schiro assumed the duties and responsibility of the Atlantic Area Senior Reserve Officer and Reserve Chief of Staff in August 2024. As Senior Reserve Officer she is responsible for assisting the Atantlic Area Commader in maximixing the Reserve Force capability consisting of approximately 3,300 Reservists stationed east of the Rockies.
Previously, Captain Schiro was activated for 15 months to serve as the Deputy Incident Commander of the Coast Guard Recruiting Incident Command Team, where she led the team’s effort to develop, research, and implement innovative solutions to help bring new Coast Guard men and women into our service in response to an historic workforce shortage. Other assignments include serving as Commanding Officer, USCG Reserve Unit U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) where she was responsible for bringing the Coast Guard’s unique skills and authorities to support USINDOPACOM by leading a cadre of trained, experienced and committed maritime professionals skilled in international engagement, exercise planning and execution, maritime security initiatives, and other regional efforts. While assigned to Coast Guard Reserve Unit at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida, she led the Maritime Component of the annual multi-national TRADEWINDS Exercise, which focused on expanding Caribbean partner nations’ capabilities in countering transnational organized crime. Captain Schiro has also served as the Reserve Chief of Staff of the 17th Coast Guard District, Senior Reserve Officer of Sector San Diego, Sector Juneau, and Marine Safety Unit Chicago, and Reserve Response Department Head of Sector San Diego.
In addition to her recent activation supporting recruiting, Captain Schiro was activated in 2022 as the Sector Saint Petersburg Incident Commander for Hurricane Ian, in 2021 as the District Eight Area Commander for Hurricane Ida, and in 2020 as the Deputy Area Commander for District 17’s COVID-19 response. She also mobilized in support of Deepwater Horizon, where she coordinated all tactical tasking, maintenance and logistics support for over 20 Coast Guard Cutters assigned to the response effort. Captain Schiro also spent two glorious summers aboard Coast Guard Cutter EAGLE in support of cadet training missions where she earned the unique Deck Watch Officer and Boatswain Mate of the Watch qualifications of the Coast Guard’s Three-Masted Sailing Barque.
While on active duty from 1996-2004, Captain Schiro served as Executive Officer of USCGC PADRE in Key West, FL and Operations Officer of USCGC GENTIAN in Atlantic Beach, NC. Following her underway assignments, she was assigned to Atlantic Area Cutter Forces staff where she served as the Area Patrol Boat Manager and Budget Manager for Major Cutters. During that assignment, Captain Schiro was part of the team that oversaw the first deployment of Coast Guard 110’ WPBs in support of Operation Iraq Freedom and led planning efforts for the operational succession of 110’ Patrol Boats by 154’ Fast Response Cutters.
Captain Schiro graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Environmental Science and earned a Masters from the University of Denver in Environmental Management.