Ok, forum I need your help with a debate between myself and an exarmy friend of mine. He maintains that while the Coast Guard is indeed a branch of the armed services it is not military. His position is that in order to legally do the boardings on civilian vessels the Coast Guard can not be part of the military. That they are in fact a police type force that can become military in times of war. He futher argues that  they are budgeted and directed by Home Land Security and not the Department of Defense and that in itself makes his case. I of course reject his claim and maintain that they are in fact a military organization. I have to admit his  remarks seem to have merit. The official website refers to the Coast guard as a multifunction platform etc. which still doesn't address this issue directly. I believe it mentions it is a branch of the seven armed services?  Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force,Whats the other two? Would one take the position that if you are in the armed forces you are in the military?  I'm looking for hard facts here and well,,, maybe a smart remark from Gears wouldn't hurt either.

This topic was discussed not too long ago, take a look at this link:

http://www.uscg.org/Forum/aft/9471.aspx


But the short answer to your question:

Sec. 1. Establishment of Coast Guard

-STATUTE-
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. The Coast Guard shall be a service in the
Department of Homeland Security, except when operating as a service
in the Navy.

Source: http://uscode.house.gov/download/title_14.shtml

You are both right & wrong. LOL The USCG is very much a military organization and considered such. However, they are under Homeland Security. That is so we can do boardings of vessels, the Navy cannot, the Marines cannot because it can be viewed as a hostile act or an act of war.

The 7 Uniformed Services (not necessarily military branches) are US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, US Marines, US Coast Guard, US Public Health Services and NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration).

If Congress declared war tomorrow, we very well could be moved under the Department of the Navy making us "a military service". That doesn't mean we aren't currently that, we just don't opearte under the DOD. Tell you Army friend not to worry that he wasn't good enough for the Coasties, he did his part by being a ground pounder and we all appreciate that! Then just smile. (That is meant to be a silly sarcasm, not EVER a knock on ANY branch of the military, they all deserve our respect but ribbing can be fun between branches/friends.)

You can ask him if he's ever heard of  Petty Offiver Nathan Breckenthal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Bruckenthal

Also, you might explain that RIGHT NOW, men and women of the United States Coast Guard are standing watch in the Persian Gulf and Afganistan. I had a neighbor try the same nonsense. He shut up when I asked him if he knows of any "police force" that has 400 ft long ships deploying world-wide to guard his freedom.

Sometimes we have to educate the ignorant.

Posted By pepperdoggie on 15 Jan 2011 03:14 PM
You can ask him if he's ever heard of  Petty Offiver Nathan Breckenthal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Bruckenthal

Also, you might explain that RIGHT NOW, men and women of the United States Coast Guard are standing watch in the Persian Gulf and Afganistan. I had a neighbor try the same nonsense. He shut up when I asked him if he knows of any "police force" that has 400 ft long ships deploying world-wide to guard his freedom.

Sometimes we have to educate the ignorant.

NICE!

I would just tell him that the Coast Guard is the most cost-effective part of the Navy that, during peace time, is transferred to DHS.