Founded in 1790 as the Revenue Marine with the primary mission of protecting the United States from smugglers. The USCG acquired its current name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service merged into a single organization.

The smallest of the armed services, it is controlled by the Department of Transportation during peacetime and by the Department of Defense during wartime. Individuals who join the USCG are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and receive the same pay as members of the other armed services. Its primary missions include maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maintenance of aids to navigation, icebreaking, environmental protection, port security and military readiness. The USCG employs 38,000 active duty personnel and almost 43,000 reserve and auxiliary personnel.

These “Coasties” (as members of the USCG are often called) operate over 1,000 vessels and over 200 aircraft.

People volunteer to join the Coast Guard for many reasons. In addition to the work, benefits, training and educational opportunities, many people feel that a job in the USCG offers the chance to work along the coast and an opportunity to protect the environment.

On a typical day the Coast Guard will seize illegal drugs, rescue people offshore and investigate marine accidents. All of this activity contributes to an atypical career that many Coasties enjoy throughout their work life.