Cari Batson Thomas is a Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard and a 1984 graduate of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. On Friday January 22, 2010 Thomas was ceremoniously advanced to Rear Admiral (lower half) and became the third recent female commander of the training center to be advanced to a flag officer. Cari Thomas served aboard cutters Vigorous, Valiant, and commanded Manitou. Additionally, other operational assignments included Group-Air Station Atlantic City and as plankowner and Commander, Sector Miami, Response Operations. Some of her responsibilities included transitions to the RB-S, 47’ MLB, 49’ BUSL, and 87’ CPB as well as numerous USCG, joint DOD, and interagency operations in the Northwest Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, Straits of Florida, New Jersey coa