Hello everyone, recently I've been looking at the Coast Guard as a possible path after high school. Just a little confused though, is it considered a branch of the military? I've heard it mentioned along with the Army, Navy, etc., but I'm not sure where it falls exactly.
Yes, the United States Coast Guard is indeed considered a branch of the U.S. military. It's one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and falls under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime. However, in times of war or under the direction of the President, it can be transferred to the Department of the Navy. The Coast Guard has a range of roles—maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime safety, and homeland security—to list a few. It's a versatile branch that offers a mix of military service and public service roles, which is quite unique.
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