For the first time in its history, the Coast Guard has a second four-star admiral, the service announced.
Charles Michel, who has served as vice commandant and the second-highest ranking officer behind since August, on Wednesday was promoted to the rank of admiral at Coast Guard Headquarters, according to a press release from the service.
His wife Claudia pinned his new shoulderboard on during a ceremony at the service's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
"I am humbled to be the first Coast Guard vice commandant promoted to the rank of four-star admiral," he said in the release. "This promotion will enable me and future vice commandants to better represent the Coast Guard and the commandant."
President Barack Obama nominated Michel for the promotion following legislation approved by lawmakers in Congress last year requiring all of the service's vice chiefs to have the same leadership level, according to the release.
A Coast Guard Academy and law school graduate from Florida, Michael oversees the Coast Guard's senior operational and mission support commanders and headquarters staff, the release states. He also serves as service chief in the absence of Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft, it states.
--Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry.
