Jody A . Breckenridge Vice Admiral Jody A . Breckenridge assumed duties as Commander , Coast Guard Pacific Area in July 2009 . The Area of Operations for this command encompasses over throughout the Pacific Basin to the Far East . Vice Admiral Breckenridge oversees the operation of units performing missions in maritime safety , maritime mobility , protection of natural resources , maritime security , homeland security , and national defense . In addition , she oversees two service level commands - the Deployable Operations Group and the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command . Early life and education . Breckenridge grew up in Potomac , Maryland and joined the Coast Guard in 1976 . She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland and a Masters Degree of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces . While attending the University of Maryland , she was elected to the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi and was presented an Excellence in Scholarship award , graduating with honors . In 2007 she was honored with the University of Maryland Distinguished Alumnus Award . Career . Prior to this assignment , she served as the Director , Strategic Transformation Team where she was responsible for aligning and synchronizing the efforts to transform and modernize the Coast Guard . Simultaneously , she served as Assistant Commandant for Human Resources where she had oversight of the Coast Guard ’ s HR professionals . From 2005 - 2006 VADM Breckenridge served as Commander of the Eleventh Coast Guard District in Alameda , CA overseeing Coast Guard operations in the SW and the Eastern Pacific . During her tenure , the Eleventh District stepped up its interagency collaboration leading to record drug seizures including the M / V GATUN , the largest maritime interdiction in US history , and the arrest of Francisco Javier Arellano Felix , head of the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel . Her initial flag assignment was as Commander , Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific with responsibility for all mission support in the Pacific Theater . Breckenridge graduated from Officer Candidate School in June 1976 . Her first tour of duty was in the National Response Center , eventually as Senior Watchstander . Afterwards , she was assigned to the Pollution Response Branch of the Marine Environmental Protection Division at the Coast Guard Headquarters . During that time , she served as a White House Social Aide . For a short time , she worked in the Coast Guard Academy for summer training programs . In September 1979 , Vice Admiral Breckenridge reported to Group Seattle , where she served as the Assistant Port Safety Officer and was then selected as the first Group Operations Officer . Subsequent duty assignments have included the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center , Coast Guard Headquarters , postgraduate school at the University of Maryland , Chief of Officer Candidate School at Training Center Yorktown , VA , Executive Officer of Integrated Support Center Seattle , Coast Guard Personnel Command ( Chief , Officer Assignments ) , Industrial College of the Armed Services , the Coast Guard Personnel Command ( Assistant Chief and Chief , Officer Personnel Management Division ) , and Commanding Officer , Coast Guard Recruiting Command . While assigned to the Personnel Command , Vice Admiral Breckenridge represented the Coast Guard on a five - month Department of Defense study entitled " The Officer Personnel Structure for the 21st Century " . Vice Admiral Breckenridge also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Coast Guard Headquarters . Awards . Vice Admiral Breckenridge ' s awards include two Legion of Merit s , the Meritorious Service Medal , four Coast Guard Commendation Medal s , two Achievement Medal s , the Commandant ' s Letter of Commendation , and four Meritorious Team Commendation s . Amazing Face Award during combat in Alabama