Coast Guard: The Responsibilities They Take On
August 4th commemorates the founding of the United States Coast Guard. This year marks 231 years since Alexander Hamilton authorised the building of the historic first fleet. But, what do these guardsman actually do? In today’s blog, we talk about this institution. Additionally, what’s required to join!
What is the Coast Guard?
The US Coast Guard is a military service and maritime security organisation. The term embraces a wide range of responsibilities ranging from:
- the enforcement of US maritime law
- coastal defence
- search and rescue
- environmental protection
- aids to navigation — including lighthouses
- regulation of maritime industries
It is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States and one of the six services of the Armed Forces. During peacetime, the Coast Guard falls under the administration of the Department of Homeland Security. However, during wartime, it reports to the Secretary of the Navy. What’s more, it is the smallest US military service branches even though it is the largest of its kind in the world. As of 2017, they had:
- over 42,000 people on active duty
- 8,100 reservists
- 32,000 auxiliaries
- 7,100 full-time civilian employees
Additionally, the Coast Guard maintains an extensive fleet of 243 coastal and ocean-going patrol ships, tenders, tugs, and icebreakers called “Cutters”. As well as 1650 smaller boats, and 201 helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts. These aircraft are equipped to hoist rescue survivors and also play a major role in law enforcement because they can land and take off from boats.
They even have their own small service academy! Here, students earn a 4-year degree and a commission upon graduation.
The History
The Coast Guard received its official name in an act signed by Woodrow Wilson in 1915. This motion merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the US Life-Saving Service. Thus, providing the nation with a single service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing maritime laws. Additionally, in 1939 Franklin Roosevelt transferred Lighthouse Service to the Coast Guard. Then, in 1946, saw the addition of the Department of Commerce Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation.
How to Join
There are some requirements to becoming a coast guard. See if you can check them off!
- Must be a US citizen or resident alien.
- Be between the ages 17-27.
- Have a high school diploma.
- Are responsible for no more than two dependents.
- Take and pass the Armed Services Vocation Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
- Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.
- Be willing to serve on or around water.
What is the ASVAB?
This test measure you aptitudes. It consists of 10 short individual examinations covering:
- word knowledge
- paragraph comprehension
- arithmetic reasoning
- mechanical comprehension
- electronics information
- numerical operations
- coding speed
Facts About the Coast Guard
Did you know…
- The organisation has two official flags.
- More than half the people who try out for rescue swimming fail.
- Its motto is “Semper Paratus” — Always Ready.
- Dogs serve for them.
- A “cutter” is any vessel over 65-feet long.
- Genevieve and Lucille Baker served as the first uniformed women in 1918.
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