The United States Coast Guard (USCG), one of the nation’s oldest maritime organizations, was established on August 4, 1790, by Alexander Hamilton as the Revenue Cutter Service. Over time, the Coast Guard’s responsibilities expanded, and in 1915, it merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form the modern Coast Guard. Today, it operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during wartime.
The Coast Guard’s motto, “Semper Paratus” (“Always Ready”), embodies its readiness to perform a diverse range of missions. Charged with ensuring the safety, security, and stewardship of the nation’s waters, the Coast Guard is a multi-mission maritime force. Its responsibilities include search and rescue operations, drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, icebreaking, and maintaining navigational aids. It also plays a crucial role in port and homeland security.
The Coast Guard has approximately 43,000 active-duty personnel, 8,000 reservists, and 30,000 Auxiliarists. Its fleet includes 259 cutters, 200 aircraft, and over 1,600 boats, allowing it to patrol the nation’s vast maritime territory, which encompasses over 95,000 miles of coastline and 3.4 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Coast Guard has a storied history of heroism and innovation. During World War II, it escorted convoys and participated in amphibious landings. In peacetime, its search and rescue operations save thousands of lives annually. Coast Guard cutters and crews also play a pivotal role in intercepting illegal drugs and migrants, protecting the nation’s borders from maritime threats.
Nicknames like “Coasties” reflect the unique camaraderie and pride of those who serve in the USCG. The service’s ethos of adaptability and dedication is exemplified by its unofficial motto: “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back,” a stark reminder of the bravery required in dangerous rescue missions.
Among the Coast Guard’s elite units is the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT), a ready assault force whose members are trained in maritime security, law enforcement boarding procedures, force protection and environmental hazards response within a tactical law enforcement operation. MSRT underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to national security.
Facts about the Coast Guard include its operation of the oldest commissioned vessel in U.S. service, the USCGC Eagle, a training ship for cadets. Icebreakers and buoy tenders assist 196,938 tons of shipping daily during the Great Lakes ice season.
With its unique blend of military, law enforcement, and humanitarian missions, the U.S. Coast Guard is a vital force in protecting America’s maritime interests. To all who serve on the seas and beyond: thank you for your dedication, and may you remain “Semper Paratus.”
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
