Education, experience prepared Austin for RDML role

Abstract

When Meredith Austin graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985, she served on an icebreaker when the Arctic Ocean was 100 percent ice-covered and the concept of homeland security was yet to be born. Twenty-nine years later, Austin is now in the role of Rear Admiral (lower half) at a time where the U.S. Coast Guard leads the fight in protecting the nation’s ports and waterways from terrorism and other domestic threats. Austin was promoted to the upper echelons of the Coast Guard in July.