Rear Admiral Ernest B. Acklin became Chief of the Office of Acquisition, United States Coast Guard Headquarters in June 1987. Prior to promotion to flag rank he served as Chief of Operations then Chief of Staff, Eight Coast Guard District.
He served as Headquarters as Chief, Logistics and Property Division and Chief, Planning and Analysis Staff in the Office of the Comptroller, program analyst in the Plans Evaluation Division, Chief of Staff, and planning staff in the Office of Personnel.
He was comptroller at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and in the First Coast Guard District. He served as Company Officer and assistant football coach at the Coast Guard Academy. He commended the Coast Guard Cutter Aurora and was Executive Officer of the cutter Frederick Lee. He was First Lieutenant and Operations Officer of the cutter Barataria and was the commanding officer of LORAN Station Johnston Island in the central Pacific.
Rear Admiral Acklin graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. He earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in 1971.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Five Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation.
Rear Admiral Acklin is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida and is married to the former Patricia An Reeves, also of St. Petersburg. They have four children: Valerie, Victoria, Christopher (currently serving in the Coast Guard), and Paul.