Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard, one of 5 branches of the military, is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard is one of the nation’s oldest maritime services. The Coast Guard provides port security, search and rescue (SAR) services, icebreaking services, environmental protection, and the Coast Guard enforces maritime law, also known as Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE). 38,000 active-duty service members, 8,000 reservists, and 35,000 auxiliarists serve in the Coast Guard. Duties can include small boat operations, maintenance, aviation mechanics, and electronic mechanics.

In the course of a normal day, the Coast Guard could:

Conduct 109 search and rescue operations
Protect $2,791,841 worth of property
Save 10 lives or more and help 192 people in need
Detain 14 illegal immigrants
Seize 306 pounds of cocaine and 169 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $9,589,000
Help stabilize and clean 20 oil or hazardous chemical spills estimated to be about 2,800 gallons
Provide navigation assistance to ships
Launch 396 small vessel operations
Board 100 ship during port security inspections
Board 144 ships

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Criminal Justice Career Spotlight

Homeland Security Professionals

Want to launch a career in Homeland Security? It will probably be a very challenging experience but we can guarantee it will be thrilling and rewarding.

The different departments that come under the aegis of Homeland security offers our nation immense support with secure airports, waterways, borders as well as seaports. view career profile »