COMMANDING OFFICER
CDR Catherine M. Gillen
Commander Catherine Gillen Middleton is a 2009 Graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. Upon graduation she reported to the USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC 903) as the Communications Officer and First Lieutenant.
From HARRIET LANE, CDR Middleton transferred to Miami, FL as the Executive Officer of the third Fast Response Cutter, USCGC WILLIAM FLORES (WPC 1103). After commissioning, she conducted multiple patrols in the Florida Straits and helped develop the standard procedures for future Fast Response Cutters in District Seven.
In 2015, CDR Middleton graduated from Boston College with a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Science in Accounting. She then went on to be the District Eleven Budget Officer in Alameda, CA where she helped to successfully implement Business Process Reengineering and managed the $36M yearly operational budget. Additionally, she is licensed as a California and Maryland Certified Public Accountant.
CDR Middleton assumed the role of Commanding Officer of USCGC JOSEPH DOYLE in November of 2018, and commissioned the ship in June 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After completing her command tour, she reported to Base National Capital Region as the Comptroller and Base Operations Department Head where she oversaw the implementation of the Coast Guard’s Financial Management System Solution. In the summer of 2024, she transferred to the U.S. Naval Institute as the Coast Guard Federal Executive Fellow. Her personal awards include four Coast Guard Commendation Medals and four Coast Guard Achievement Medals.