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U. S. Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is one of the country's
five armed services. On 4 August 1790
the first Congress authorized the construction of ten
vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent
smuggling, and protect the collection of the federal
revenue. Known variously as the Revenue Marine and
the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard expanded
in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.
These added responsibilities included humanitarian
duties such as aiding mariners in distress. Coast Guard
law enforcement functions also continued to expand.
Congress tasked the Coast Guard with enforcing laws
against slavery, piracy, and smuggling. The Coast Guard was
also given the responsibility to protect the marine
environment, explore and police Alaska, and chart the
growing nation's coastlines, all well before the turn
of the twentieth century.
The service received its present name in 1915 under
an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service
merged with the Life-Saving Service. The nation
now had a single maritime service dedicated to saving
life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.
The Coast Guard began to maintain the country's aids
to navigation, including operating the nation's
lighthouses, when the
Lighthouse Service was transferred to the Coast Guard
in 1939. Later, in 1946, Congress permanently transferred
the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast
Guard, including merchant marine licensing and
merchant vessel safety.
In times of peace the Coast Guard operates as part of the
Department of Homeland Security, serving as the
nation's front-line agency for enforcing our laws
at sea, protecting our coastline and ports, and
saving life. In times of war, or on
direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves
under the Navy Department.
If you are interested in applying to the Coast Guard
Academy or enlisting in the US Coast
Guard, please call us at (310) 463-6626 for
more information.
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