United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the coast guard of the United States. One of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and the smallest armed service of the United States, it has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response and the maintenance of intercoastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON). It also lays claim of being the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service.

Related Topics:
Coast guard - United States - Uniformed services of the United States - Armed service of the United States - Search and rescue

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

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The Coast Guard began as 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 US 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." During wartime, the Coast Guard reports to the Department of Defense.

Related Topics:
Revenue Cutter Service - August 4 - 1790 - Department of the Treasury - U.S. Congress - 1915 - United States Lifesaving Service - US Lighthouse Service - United States Code - January 28 - Department of Defense

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The Coast Guard later moved to the Department of Transportation in 1967, and on March 1, 2003 it became part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Related Topics:
Department of Transportation - 1967 - March 1 - 2003 - Department of Homeland Security

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