August 4 of each year is set aside as a day to celebrate and honor the United State Coast Guard. When we reflect on the heroic stories of the armed forces and the guns they use, we hear often hear about the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines, but it’s not very often that we hear about the US Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard has a unique story that most people don’t know about.
In fact, a lot of people don’t know exactly what the Coast Guard even does. The last time you did hear about them, there’s a chance it had to do with a rescue mission. That is a large part of what they do, and they do it well. But did you know they carry guns and serve other purposes too?
The Coast Guard is one of the few organizations that operate as both a federal law enforcement agency and a military organization. Search and rescue is one of their primary focuses, but they do more than that for our country. They deserve our acknowledgment and gratitude for their service. Let’s look at who they are, what they do, and the guns they carry.
Who is the US Coast Guard?
Unlike other branches of the armed forces, the US Coast Guard was not formed with the same purpose, protecting our nation in times of war. On August 4th, 1790, congress voted to build 10 cutters (ships) under the direction of Alexander Hamilton, the head of the treasury department. Their mission was to enforce the tariff laws that had just been enacted by Congress.
In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the Lifesaving Service to form the US Coast Guard. Over the years, the Lighthouse Service and the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection would also be merged into the US Coast Guard. In 1967, the US Coast Guard was transferred to the US Department of Transportation. Today, the US Coast Guard is listed as one of seven military organizations by the US Department of Defense.
The last time the US Coast Guard operated as a complete unit under the Navy was during WWII. If you were not aware, the US Coast Guard was involved in WWII. They fought for our freedom like every other branch of the military. While they are much smaller than the other military organizations, 1,918 members died during the war.
What does the US Coast Guard do?
We all know the US Coast Guard as search and rescue experts. That’s because they have been doing it for more than 200 years. According to their records, the Coast Guard conducts an average of 42 search and rescue missions each day across the country and around the world. Another primary goal of the Coast Guard is to enforce US Sanctions. They do this by inspecting ships for cargo being shipped to and from the US and its allies. They seize large amounts of drugs and other illegal items from vessels and make arrests and seize ships when necessary.
The Coast Guard helps maintain security off our coast in places like the Antarctic where it uses a fleet of artic ice breakers to patrol. Ice breakers are ships that can travel through ice-covered waters, which is an amazing feat if you have never seen one before. This is an important part of our national security as China and Russia are both becoming more active in these areas.
Most of the activities of the US Coast Guard fall under federal jurisdiction granted by the Department of Homeland Security. Under this umbrella, members operate like federal law enforcement officers. They can make arrests and seize property like any other agency. When activated, however, they transform quickly into a military unit that can assist the US Navy in its operations.
What guns does the US Coast Guard carry?
Since the USCG operates as a federal law enforcement agency, it’s not surprising they carry Glock pistols. Their newest contract was to purchase the Gen 5 MOS pistol for standard issue. They also issue and carry M4 rifles like most other law enforcement agencies. What’s cool about the USCG is they are a hybrid unit that operates in a law enforcement and military capacity. This means they get the big guns too.
Members undergo firearms training during boot camp, but unlike other branches of the military, recruiters do not shoot an M16 during basic training. Because the USCG performs so many different types of jobs, some members do not carry or use firearms. If you request to be in a specialized unit that carries firearms, you receive additional and advanced training at that point.
Summary
The Coast Guard is in a strange place where they are not a full-fledged law enforcement agency or military organization. Learning a job like this is probably not easy and switching from rescue to enforcement to war is a drastic change in operations. Every agency and military unit has a purpose and conducts operations from small to large. Each one of them is needed and even the small operations performed by various groups in our nation are critical.
The US Coast Guard may not get as much attention as other military and federal organizations do, but their role is just as important for everyone in this country. You may live thousands of miles from the coast, but they are working to protect your state as much as coastal states. So, whatever you are doing in your busy life, take just a moment on August 4 to remember and thank those who serve in the United States Coast Guard.
