For The Record: the Coast Guard is the Military

"Oh, I'm not sure we give our military discount to the Coast Guard."

"What kind of uniform is that? United Airlines? Greyhound?"

Every Coast Guardsman has endured the brunt of some uninformed citizens, so we thought it about time to clarify for our readership what the Coast Guard is and is not.

The Coast Guard is an Armed Force of the United States. See 10 U.S.C. 101 ("The term “armed forces” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.")

The Coast Guard is also a "Uniformed Service of the United States." See 10 U.S.C. 101 ("The term “uniformed services” means— (A) the armed forces; (B) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (C)the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.")

The Coast Guard is NOT in the Department of Defense. By statute, the Coast Guard can be transferred to the Navy. The last time that happened was World War II. For the successive times that the nation has needed Coast Guard resources, individual units were assigned to Combatant Commanders.

The Coast Guard is a federal law enforcement agency. See 14 U.S.C. 89.

The term "Naval Services" and "Sea Services" include the Coast Guard.

Some notable Coastie tidbits:

First ships to circumnavigate North America - Coast Guard cutters STORIS, BRAMBLE and SPAR. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2SSvGFT80

Medal of Honor Awardee - Douglas Munro.

Author Alex Haley.

But, Jimmy Buffett never served in the Hooligan Navy.

 

Comments

[Sharif]

Don't forget our two astronauts Bruce Melnick & Dan Burbank!

[Capt Ed Enos]

Aloha Mark!

Thanks for that recognition on this day. I'm not a coastie but work with them all the time at work (harbor pilot). They deserve the recognition as they SAVE lives too! Their efforts most directly impact civilians more often than most people realize.

Mahalo
Capt Ed