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. On July 13, 2007, became the program executive officer of the U.S. Coast Guard's largest recapitalization and modernization initiative, the $24 billion, 25-year programmed Integrated Deepwater System Program. The Integrated Deepwater System Program (IDS Program), or Deepwater, is the 25-year program to recapitalize the United States Coast Guard's aircraft, ships, logistics, and command and control systems. The $24 billion program includes equipment that will be used across all missions. Rábago not only acted as program executive officer of Deepwater, but also later as director of all Coast Guard acquisition programs. His office will 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: Legion of Merit w/3* Meritorious Service Medal w/2* Coast Guard Commendation Medal w/1* Coast Guard Achievement Medal Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award Coast Guard Unit Commendation Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation w/2* Meritorious Team Commendation Coast Guard "E" Ribbon w/2* Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation National Defense Service Medal w/2* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Special Operations Service Ribbon Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon w/2* Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon Badges Cutterman Officer Badge See also Hispanics in the United States Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard Cutters (List of United States Coast Guard cutters) References External links Living