The United States Coast Guard has been at sea since 1790. It is the oldest, continuing, seagoing service in the United States, as for a short time the U.S. Navy disbanded in the 1700’s. It was created and established first as the Revenue Reserves, and then later as the Revenue Cutter service. The Coast Guard started out as the group responsible for enforcement of tariffs on Imports into the United States. The mission of the Coast Guard has grown and included more and more tasks since its creation, until now the Coast Guard is a member of the Homeland Security Department, to help in the battle against terrorism. As an activity duty member or the Coast Guard, you will be part of the seagoing United States Policemen of the Oceans.
There is a huge ocean area that includes the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. This is the area targeted by Drug smugglers and the same area patrolled by the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is responsible to patrol and maintain security within the waters around the United States, and elsewhere in the world as assigned.
Coast Guard personnel are responsible for U.S. marine fishery and marine enforcement. They detect and deter illegal fishery usage. Enforcement of laws and applicable treaties is also one of the duties performed by the Coast Guard. The area surrounding the United States is called the U.S. Economic Exclusive Zone, and is the largest of its type in the world. U.S. Coast Guardsmen are responsible for migrant interdiction and immigration enforcement on territorial waters around the United States. Many of the migrant interdiction starts out as a Search and Rescue mission. A great number of these happen in international waters.
The Coast Guard is an armed service, and considered for all intents and purposes one of the U.S. Armed Forces. Its core responsibilities are to protect the United States inland waterways, ports, Coasts, and elsewhere on and near American Waterways. It is a multi mission, maritime service located in the Department of homeland security. It is a military Service, but being in a civilian department of Defense allows it to board ships at sea around the world and be considered a “Police action” instead of an act of war, which it would be if in the Defense Department. It’s a small distinction, but an important one. The United States Coast Guard is a challenging, and rewarding enlisted career in one of the more interesting Military services of the USA.
