Rear Admiral Steven D. Poulin

Commander, First Coast Guard District
U.S. Coast Guard

Rear Admiral Poulin assumed the duties of Commander, First Coast Guard District in May 2016. He oversees all Coast Guard missions across eight states in the Northeast including over 2,000 miles of coastline from the U.S.-Canadian border to northern New Jersey and 1300 miles offshore. The
First District is comprised of more than 11,000 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel, 30 cutters, 200 boats and seven aircraft.

RADM Poulin’s previous flag assignment was as the Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel of the Coast Guard, where he led a dedicated group of legal professionals and was responsible for the delivery of all legal services in support of the Coast Guard's missions, its units and its people. From June 2012 to April 2014, RADM Poulin served as the Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, where    he was responsible for external engagement with Congress, the media and other intergovernmental entities.

From October 2010 to June 2012, RADM Poulin served as the Chief, Office of Maritime and International Law. From April 2009 to July 2010, he was the Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile, where he directed Coast Guard operations in Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. He further served as the Incident Commander for Deepwater Horizon oil spill response operations in that same geographic area from April 2010 to September 2010. His previous operational tours include Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Sector Mobile; Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Group Galveston, Texas;
and Law Enforcement Officer and Assistant Operations Officer at Coast Guard Group Mobile, Alabama. He was assigned as a Deck Watch Officer on USCGC DAUNTLESS (WMEC-624) from 1984-1985.

RADM Poulin also was a Special Adviser for Border and Transportation Security in the Office of Vice President Cheney, from 2005-2007. From 2003-2004, he was the Coast Guard’s liaison to the State Department’s Office of Oceans Affairs, where he served on U.S. delegations to myriad committees of
the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He was the Legal Counsel for the Coast Guard’s Port Security Director from 2002-2003, where he helped negotiate, draft, and implement new port and maritime security requirements. From 1999-2001, he served as the 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, from 1994-1996. From 1992-1994, he was assigned to the Coast Guard’s General Law Division.

He 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 Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), and Coast Guard Achievement Medal.