On Tuesday, President Joe Biden nominated Adm. Linda Fagan to serve as the next commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard – and if confirmed, she would make history. 

Fagan would become the first woman to lead the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as the first woman to lead a military branch.

Fagan, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, currently serves as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, a position she has held since June 2021.

Adm. Linda Fagan. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Throughout her 36 years of service, Fagan served on all seven continents, including in Ross Island, Antarctica; the heart of Africa; Tokyo and Geneva, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. She spent more than 15 years as a marine inspector, worked sea duty in USCGC POLAR STAR — a 399ft heavy polar icebreaker — and served multiple staff assignments, including executive assistant to the commandant and the division chief of the Foreign and Offshore Compliance Office.

If confirmed, she would replace Adm. Karl Schultz, who is retiring. A change of command ceremony is slated for June 1 in Washington, D.C.

Schultz praised the nomination, calling Fagan "an exceptional senior Coast Guard officer and nominee, possessing the keen intellect, the depth of operational experience, and the well-honed leadership and managerial acumen to serve with distinction as our Service's 27th Commandant."

She has a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington and a Master in National Resource Strategy degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

She is also the longest-serving active duty Marine Safety Officer, according to the Coast Guard. The achievement earned her the distinction of being the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident, which was created in 2016. 

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will take her nomination under consideration. 

"Admiral Fagan's nomination will inspire generations of American women to strive to serve at the highest level in the Armed Forces," Panel chair Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., wrote in a statement.

In a Twitter post on Tuesday, Republicans on the panel applauded the nomination, saying Biden "finally nominated an outstanding leader" for the Coast Guard. 

"It is important for the Commerce Committee to proceed efficiently so the Coast Guard is not left without a leader," they wrote.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called Biden's selection of Fagan "an exceptional choice" and urged the Senate to confirm her without delay.

"Admiral Fagan is a tremendous leader, trailblazer, and respected public servant who will lead the Coast Guard across its critical missions with honor," he said, adding: "Within the Coast Guard and across the Department of Homeland Security, Admiral Fagan is admired as a role model of the utmost integrity, and her historic nomination is sure to inspire the next generation of women who are considering careers in military service."