United States Coast Guard Insignia

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What is the Coast Guard?

The Coast Guard is one of the United States’ five military branches. The Coast Guard works to protect the coast of the United States, the waterways that connect the United states to other countries and islands, and international waters that are near the United States. The motto of the Coast Guard is “Semper Paratus” which translates to “Always Ready”.

Members of the Coast Guard are always ready to defend and help Americans during threats of terrorism or natural disaters. The Coast Guard is often called to help when there is a hurricane, flooding, and tropical storms. Even though the Coast Guard is a branch of the military, it does a lot of humanitarian work, too. The Coast Guard has three main goals: maritime safety, maritime security, and maritime stewardship.

Maritime Safety and Security

Maritime safety is the protection of lives and property of those that work or live in or around the water. The Coast Guard works hard to protect sailors who have been lost at sea, container ships that may be off course, or a cruise ship that is in distress. To aid in these efforts, the Coast Guard uses aircraft, boats, and communication systems for advanced search and rescue missions.

When it comes to maritime security, the Coast Guard ensures that the United States’ ports are safe from cyber security threats and threats that may come from other countries in international waters. The Coast Guard protects the citizens of the United States from piracy, terrorism, illegal trafficing of goods or people, and illeagal fishing and pollution. Without the help from the Coast Guard, there would be an influx of illegal trade in our country.

Maritime stewardship is a responsibility of the Coast Guard as well. Stewardship is the job of taking care of something or someone. The Coast Guard’s goal is to protect the waters that surround the United States and ensure that the infrastructure of the ports are in working order to guarantee the safety of every citizen that works or lives near the ocean.

Becoming a Member of the United States Coast Guard

There are a few basic requirements to become a member of the United States Coast Guard. You must be a legal resident of the United States, be between the ages of 17 and 31, have a high school diploma, pass an aptitude test and pass a medical exam. Some of the benefits of joining the Coast Guard include a steady salary, housing and meals are provided, medical benefits, and of course, traveling to other parts of the world to protect the waterways of the United States.

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