The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the country’s Armed Forces. It functions as a law enforcement agency operating under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security when the country is not at war. During times of armed conflict, the Coast Guard shifts to the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy.
The USCG was founded in 1790 by Alexander Hamilton, who was the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. It was originally known as the Revenue Cutter Service. It remained a branch of the Treasury Department until 1915. At that time, the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Lifesaving Service were merged to become the Coast Guard. (The United States Lifesaving Service was was involved in rescuing shipwreck victims and providing houses of refuge for sailors who may have otherwise died of exposure.)
The USCG is made up of over 41,000 active duty personnel. Another 8,000 people are Coast Guard Reservists. Auxiliary personnel account for another 30,000 in the CG ranks. The USCG also employs over 7,000 civilians in various positions.
United States Coast Guard Mission
The USCG performs the following functions as part of its maritime mission:
- Environmental protection
- Homeland security
- Law enforcement
- Search and rescue
The Coast Guard is also responsible for maintaining navigation aids, such as buoys, in rivers and offshore areas. The USCG also looks after these devices located in the Intracoastal Waterway, which spans the area from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the country.
The USCG operates differently than other branches of the Service. Rather than spending their time training for a conflict or participating in missions, Coast Guard personnel are deployed on a daily basis. As such, the Coast Guard is ready to respond to a number of maritime situations on as as-needed basis.
Education Benefits for Coast Guard Personnel
Members of the Coast Guard can take advantage of a number of education benefits to help them pay for the cost of their post-secondary education. Eligible servicemen and women can qualify for tuition assistance to help pay for this cost, as well as course fees and books required to complete a diploma or degree program.
Certain education benefits can only be accessed by Coast Guard members with active duty status. Guard members who apply for Tuition Assistance to help pay for their education costs need to consider that this program carries an Active Duty Service Obligation. The recipient must commit to continue serving for a set time. Leaving before completing the service obligation will mean the financial aid received must be paid back.
Other benefits are more flexible, and can be used by active duty personnel as well as those who have been honorably discharged from the Guard. When to start accessing education benefits available to Coast Guard members is an important consideration. Some members, who want to qualify for a promotion within the Guard, may be interested in working toward a degree while on active duty. For others, education programs which can be accessed after leaving the Service makes more sense.
Coast Guard Education Guide
Below we’ve included some resources to assist members of the US Coast Guard in their educational pursuits:
