Sally Brice-O'Hara
Encyclopedia
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
Sally Brice-O'Hara (born c. 1953) is the 27th and current Vice-Commandant
Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
The Vice Commandant serves as the second-in-command of the United States Coast Guard.Since 1929, 27 officers have served as Vice Commandant, or, as the position was referred to before 1972, Assistant Commandant. The title of the position was changed effective October 2, 1972, pursuant to P.L....
of the U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
.
Background and education
Brice-O'Hara graduated from Goucher CollegeGoucher College
Goucher College is a private, co-educational, liberal arts college located in the northern Baltimore suburb of Towson in unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland, on a 287 acre campus. The school has approximately 1,475 undergraduate students studying in 31 majors and six interdisciplinary...
where she earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Sociology in 1974. She received her Coast Guard commission from Officer Candidate School 1975. She received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
Degree in Public Administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
Career
Her previous flag officerFlag Officer
A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
assignments include:
- Commander of Coast Guard District Fourteenth, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Director, JIATF West, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Director of Training and Reserve, CG Headquarters, Washington, DC
- Commander of Coast Guard District Five, Portsmouth, Virginia
Her other assignments include
- Director of Personnel Management, CG Headquarters, Washington, DC
- Commanding Officer of Training Center Cape May, New Jersey, the Coast Guard’s only recruit training program
- Member, Commandant's Strategic Planning Staff, CG Headquarters, Washington, DC
- Deputy Commander of Activities Baltimore and Alternate Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland
- Commander of Group Baltimore, Maryland
- Officer Assignment Detailer, CG Headquarters, Washington, DC
- Planning Officer, USCG Support Center, Kodiak, Alaska
- Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Cape May, New Jersey
- Assistant Director of Admissions, US Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut
- Executive Officer of Station New London, Connecticut
- Fisheries and Law Enforcement Duty Officer, Coast Guard District Five, Portsmouth, Virginia
Deputy Commandant for Operations
Brice-O'Hara served as the Deputy Commandant for Operations from 2008 to 2010. She oversaw the strategic integration of operational missions and the optimization of policy development and mission execution consistent with the Coast Guard's national priorities.Vice-Commandant
Brice-O'Hara is the 27th and current Vice-CommandantVice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
The Vice Commandant serves as the second-in-command of the United States Coast Guard.Since 1929, 27 officers have served as Vice Commandant, or, as the position was referred to before 1972, Assistant Commandant. The title of the position was changed effective October 2, 1972, pursuant to P.L....
of the U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. In a change of command ceremony on May 24, 2010, she relieved Vice Admiral David Pekoske
David Pekoske
David P. Pekoske is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral. He concluded his 33 years of active service in 2010 as the 26th Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.-Coast Guard service:...
. She is only the second woman to be Vice-Commandant, the first being Vice Admiral Vivien Crea.
Awards
Brice-O’Hara’s awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service MedalCoast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard that was created in August 1949 by order of the United States Congress. Prior to this date, members of the Coast Guard were eligible to receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.The Coast Guard...
, five awards of the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, six Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
, and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation
Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon
The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March 1979 by Admiral John B. Hayes....
.
Coast Guard Distinguished Service MedalCoast Guard Distinguished Service MedalThe Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard that was created in August 1949 by order of the United States Congress. Prior to this date, members of the Coast Guard were eligible to receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.The Coast Guard...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with four Gold Stars
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Coast Guard Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
with one Silver Star
Coast Guard Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
Commandant's Letter of CommendationCommandant's Letter of Commendation RibbonThe Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March 1979 by Admiral John B. Hayes....