A native of Freeport, New York, Lieutenant Commander Prefer graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2011, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine and Environmental Sciences.
Upon graduation, she served as a Deck Watch Officer and First Lieutenant onboard CGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903), a 270’ Medium Endurance Cutter homeported in Portsmouth, VA. She later served as the Combat Systems Officer and Navigator onboard CGC Bertholf (WMSL 750), a 418’ National Security Cutter homeported in Alameda, CA.
Following her tour onboard Bertholf, Lieutenant Commander Prefer reported to San Juan, PR as the Commanding Officer of CGC Drummond (WPB 1323), a 110’ Patrol Boat, where she served as the final Commanding Officer and led the cutter through the decommissioning process.
Upon decommissioning of Drummond, she served as Commanding Officer of CGC Isaac Mayo (WPC 1112), a 154’ Fast Response Cutter homeported in Key West, FL. After a successful tour in Key West, she was selected to attend Indiana University and earned a Master of Science degree in Instructional Systems Technology.
After postgraduate school, Lieutenant Commander Prefer served in the Performance Systems Division at Training Center Petaluma and simultaneously served as the Division Officer for the Aviation Survival Technician School, where she oversaw the relocation of the School from Elizabeth City, NC to Petaluma, CA. Lieutenant Commander Prefer reported to CGC Dependable in June 2022 and served as the Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Commander Prefer’s personal awards include four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon, and multiple unit awards.
Dana.E.Prefer@uscg.mil