Ronald J. Rabago

Ronald James Rábago is a retired United States Coast Guard rear admiral who in 2006 became the first person of Hispanic American descent to be promoted to flag rank in the United States Coast Guard. He retired as the assistant commandant for engineering and logistics and the United States Coast Guard's chief engineer in 2014.

Early life and career Rábago was born in Germany and entered the United States Coast Guard Academy upon his graduation from high school in Laredo, Texas. In 1978, he graduated from the academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering and was commissioned as an ensign. His first assignment was aboard the Honolulu-based USCGC Mellon as a student engineer. Deputy commander of the Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia; Rábago served as the director of personnel management at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2006, Rábago became the first person of Hispanic descent to be promoted to flag rank in the United States Coast Guard. Rábago not only acted as program executive officer of Deepwater, but also later as director of all Coast Guard acquisition programs. His office oversaw all major acquisitions of cutters, aircraft, C4ISR and boats.

Academic education In 1983, he attended the University of Michigan and earned Master of Science degrees in naval architecture & marine engineering and mechanical engineering. In 1995, he was named the Coast Guard's "Engineer of the Year" and in 1996, he attended the Naval War College, where he earned a third master's degree in national security and strategic studies. Licensed Professional Engineer. Certified Level III DHS Program Manager.

Written work "Joint Migration Operations: A Growing Mission Area"; This paper explores the growing Joint mission area of migrant and refugee operations both as a single mission Joint Task Force (JTF) and as part of existing JTF Operations. Authors: Ronald J. Rabago; Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.

Memberships Member — American Society of Naval Engineers Organization Council of the society.

Military awards and recognitions Among Rábago's military awards and recognitions are the following:

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