Vice Admiral Douglas Schofield assumed the duties & responsibilities of the Coast Guard Chief of Staff in Washington D.C., on April 13, 2026. In this capacity, he is responsible for driving Coast Guard readiness, streamlining executive decision-making, and directing future strategic planning. To meet the Commandant’s vision, Vice Admiral Schofield leads the budget, public affairs, and futures teams in aligning planning, resources, and people to meet operational priorities.
Prior to his current assignment, Vice Admiral Schofield was the Acting Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO). In that role, he developed operational strategies, policy, guidance, and resource allocation plans to address national priorities within US Coast Guard jurisdiction, including maritime security, search and rescue, cyber, law enforcement, and defense operations. From July 2024 to 2026, he served as Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District and Director of Operation VIGILANT SENTURY in Miami, Florida. As District Commander, he oversaw all operations and investments across and Area of Responsibility spanning from South Carolina to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, encompassing 34 countries and 12 areas of sovereignty.
Vice Admiral Schofield was promoted to flag rank in 2019. As a permanent cutterman, his operational career afloat includes serving as a Student Engineer aboard USCGC RELIANCE (WMEC 615), Engineering Officer aboard USCGC LEGARE (WMEC 912), Executive Officer aboard USCGC ESCANABA (WMEC 907), and Commanding Officer aboard USCGC THETIS (WMEC 910).
His extensive shore-based career includes assignments as Port Engineer and Executive Officer at Naval Engineering Support Unit in Boston, MA, and as the Offshore Patrol Cutter Program Manager’s Representative and Executive Officer of Project Resident Office Gulf Coast in Pascagoula, MS. In Washington, D.C., he served as the Offshore Patrol Cutter Program Manager, Assistant Program Executive Officer for Surface Programs, Program Executive Officer and Director of Acquisition Programs, and ultimately as the Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and Chief Acquisition Officer. He also commanded the Surface Forces Logistics Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Vice Admiral Schofield graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1991, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with high honors in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned three Master of Science degrees, specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Engineering and Management. Additionally, he received a Department of Homeland Security Program Manager Level III Certification in November 2009.
His personal military decorations include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, three Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and various service and unit awards.