U.S Lighthouse Service as a military branch?

So, I've been doing some research, and I saw something about the U.S Lighthouse Service being a military branch. Is that accurate? If it is, in what way is it regarded as a 'military branch'? What do their duties involve? Is it an option to consider if I plan on joining the military after high school?

Your query is interesting, but unfortunately, the U.S. Lighthouse Service is not considered a branch of the military. In conducting your military career research, it's critical to understand the various service branches in the United States. There are six branches: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

The U.S. Lighthouse Service, also known as the Light House Establishment, was the agency responsible for the maintenance of lighthouses, lightships, buoys, and other navigational aids throughout the United States from the late 18th century till 1939. It was incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939, serving under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

To answer your question about the duties that the U.S. Lighthouse Service was involved in: They provided aids to navigation such as maintaining lighthouses and lightships, marking nautical obstacles, and providing navigational charts and data. Service members in the lighthouse service were typically technicians, mechanics, or sailors tasked with maintaining the equipment and facilities for these aids.

While serving in the Coast Guard might give you an opportunity to work in some similar fields (such as dealing with navigational aids), there is no longer a separate U.S. Lighthouse Service that you could join. If you're interested in maritime and navigational aid work, the Coast Guard could be an ideal fit. They protect the U.S. maritime interests and environment around the world. Their duties range from search and rescue missions to maritime law enforcement to maintaining aids to navigation (ATON), among others.

Your research is a good step toward making a decision about which military branch would be the best fit for you following high school. It would be beneficial to speak with representatives from each branch to gain a better understanding of what they entail and how they could match your interests and career goals. It's also worth considering the various roles and duties within each branch, not to mention the extensive training programs for recruits. Whichever branch you choose to pursue, your decision to serve is commendable.