In 2022, Jo-Ann F. Burdian achieved a notable milestone as part of her service in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) when she was promoted from captain to rear admiral (lower half). This promotion made her the first Latina in the USCG’s history to become a flag officer. This type of commissioned officer is senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark the position from which she or he exercises command.
Burdian, who is a native of the New York City borough of Queens, entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in 1994. She graduated from USCGA in 1997 with a bachelor of science degree in government. (Burdian’s subsequent academic accomplishments have included earning a master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University in 2013.)
One of Burdian’s wide-ranging key operational assignments during her USCG career to date involved serving as commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami from 2019 to 2022. In this capacity, Burdian oversaw all USCG missions along 182 miles (292.9 kilometers) of the Florida coastline. A couple of her specific roles entailed coordinating federal maritime security activities as well as search-and-rescue missions for the more than 250,000 square miles (647,497 square kilometers) that encompass the Sector Miami area of responsibility.
In 2019, Burdian publicly paid tribute to the 111 Coast Guardsmen who, more than a century earlier in the midst of World War I, lost their lives when their vessel USCGC Tampa was sunk by a German U-boat in the Atlantic Ocean inlet known as the Bristol Channel. In commemorating those fallen shipmates, Burdian underscored both the significance and sacrifices of others who have likewise served in the USCG throughout the decades.
“Then, as today, the Coast Guard was a vital component of the national defense,” noted Burdian. “Our service has a long legacy of men and women who have served above and beyond the call of duty to their nation. From cutters to lighthouses to life-saving stations our members have selflessly laid their lives aside to ensure others may live, that is the legacy of our service.”
After being promoted to flag officer, Burdian assumed the duties of Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Response Policy. Her duties involved developing strategic response doctrine and policy guidance for all USCG personnel with respect to law enforcement; maritime security; counterterrorism; defense operations; marine environmental protection assignments; emergency management; disaster response efforts; and search-and-rescue missions.
On June 5, 2024, Burdian took on new high-level challenges when she assumed command of Interagency Task Force-South (JIATT-S). This multiagency force, which is under the aegis of the U.S. Department of Defense, tracks down and monitors illegal drug trafficking in both international waters and the skies above throughout the Western Hemisphere. Burdian became the 18th director of JIATFS in its 35-year history and the first Latina serve in that leadership role.
Over the years, Burdian has received numerous awards for her service in the USCG. These have included the Armed Forces Service Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal; Global War Terror Service Medal; and Humanitarian Service Medal. On September 19, 2024, Burdian was presented with yet another formal recognition of her contributions when she received the “Trailblazer Award” during that year’s LatinaStyle Distinguished Military Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard
For more information on Jo-Ann F. Burdian, please check out https://www.uscg.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/3202153/rear-admiral-jo-ann-f-burdian/
Additional information on Latina pioneers in the U.S Coast Guard is available at https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/3550748/the-long-blue-line-latinas-in-the-coast-guardtrailblazers-of-service/
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