The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a military branch of the United States involved in maritime law, mariner assistance, and search and rescue, among other duties of coast guards elsewhere. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, its stated mission is to protect the public, the environment, and the United States economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.

USCG has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response, and the maintenance of river, intracoastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON). It also lays claim to being the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service. The United States Coast Guard has about 40,150 men and women on active duty.

The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready".

The Coast Guard's roots lie in the Revenue Cutter Service, which was founded on August 4, 1790 as part of the Department of the Treasury. An act of the U.S. Congress created the Coast Guard in 1915, with the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Lifesaving Service. The United States Lighthouse Service was merged into the Coast Guard in 1939. The legal basis for the Coast Guard is Title 14 of the United States Code, which states: "The Coast Guard as established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times." Upon the declaration of war or when the President directs, the Coast Guard operates under the authority of the Department of the Navy. The Coast Guard later moved to the Department of Transportation in 1967, and on February 25, 2003 it became part of the Department of Homeland Security.

As members of a military service, Coast Guardsmen on active and reserve service are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and receive the same pay and allowances as members of the same pay grades in the other four armed services.

Our People

The U.S. Coast Guard is one of five branches of the US Armed Forces, and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard is the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service with responsibilities including Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Aids to Navigation (ATON), Ice Breaking, Environmental Protection, Port Security and Military Readiness. In order to accomplish these missions the Coast Guard has 38,000 active-duty men and women, 8,000 Reservists, and 35,000 Auxiliary personnel who serve in a variety of job fields ranging from operation specialists and small-boat operators and maintenance specialists to electronic technicians and aviation mechanics.

USCG Officers

There are several ways to become an officer in the Coast Guard: By successfully graduating from the Coast Guard Academy, successfully completing Officer Candidate School (OCS) , or through one of several Direct Commissioning Programs The Coast Guard Academy is one of the five federal military service academies. Located in New London, CT, the Academy's mission is to produce leaders of character for service to the nation. About 300 High School graduates enroll annually, leaving four years later with a Bachelor of Science degree and commission as an Ensign. Officer Candidate School (OCS)is 17 weeks of training in New London, Conn. Studies include nautical science, law enforcement, seamanship, and leadership. Competition for entry is stiff. When you graduate, you will be commissioned as an ensign, O-1, in the Coast Guard Reserve with a three-year initial active-duty obligation.

USCG Enlisted

Without these individuals, the Coast Guard’s daily operations would grind to a halt. There are dozens of job assignments available to enlisted personnel. From safety and law enforcement to maritime patrols or aviation. The majority of your training in all of these fields will be done on the job, not in classrooms. Training is structured and taught by experienced professionals—the perfect people to learn from. Plus, you’ll get regular tests and evaluations so you can be sure your skills are the best they can be. Almost everything we teach carries over to the civilian workforce. In fact, companies prefer to hire Coast Guard people due to their combination of experience, discipline and readiness to assume responsibility.

Coast Guard Reserve

Civilians

Every day civilians in the Coast Guard, work together with military personnel to save lives, enforce the law, operate ports and waterways, and protect the environment. There are  over 6,000 civilian positions in over 200 different types of jobs throughout the Coast Guard. They work in over 100 locations across America. Civilians have dynamic careers with flexibility, great pay, outstanding benefits, and the satisfaction of serving our country.

Coast Guard Auxiliary