A native of central Wisconsin, LTJG Victoria Gurtler graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and reported aboard the USCGC Tahoma stationed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as a deck watch officer. While onboard, she was promoted to the department head role of First Lieutenant.

On her first assignments

“I completed six patrols with my unit, including two counter-trafficking deployments to the Eastern Pacific Ocean that encompassed two round-trip passages through the Panama Canal. I served as a certified Boarding Officer, Pursuit Mission Commander and Helicopter Control Officer.”

On her studies at the Academy

“As a cadet, I very much enjoyed the classroom dialogue and camaraderie that I had with my classmates and professors. I have a great deal of pride in my prior success as a Government major, and it has undoubtedly chartered a course for my further personal and professional growth as an officer.”

On her Academy preparation

“As a Coast Guard officer, one must be able to accurately and effectively communicate, as well as identify, understand, analyze and handle complicated, and oftentimes dangerous, issues. My experiences as a cadet in the Government division provided me with the requisite analytical tools and skill set to accomplish all of these important officer tasks.”

On a career without limits

“I am currently the most junior ranking officer on the USCG Women’s Leadership Initiative’s Governance Committee, and I am serving in the elected role as Vice-Chair – despite only having graduated from the Academy two short years ago. I credit my experience as a Government major for the confidence in my ability to lead and pursue my career aspirations.”