How come you don't hear much about the coast guard? Is it a good branch of the military to join?

Answer 1

I did four years in the Coast Guard and my husband did almost 10. We loved it.

You don't hear alot about them because they are small in comparison with the DOD branches. They have become part of Homeland Security during the Bush administration and before that were a part of DOT.

Because they do a variety of different services such as drug interdiction, search and rescue, immigrant interdiction alot of the information is not available to the public until after their work is declassified.

I personally would recommend the guard to anyone who was looking into a military career. If I hadn't wanted children and have a strong belief in mom being home for the kids, I would still be in.

Semper Paratus - Always Ready
Good Luck and Pleasant Seas

Answer 2

The Coast Guard is very small but we take pride in what we do. In the last 6 months I've helped save over a 100 lives. They have all kinds of jobs, you could be a rescue swimmer, part of a boat crew, an operations specialist, a mechanic, food services, health services, a marine safety technician,etc.

You will always more than likely be stationed in the U.S., we do have a few people overseas but not many. If you get stationed on a cutter (boat) you might travel the world.

We have the same benefits as all the other branches of the military, so if it's about pay...we aren't paid more we are paid the same.

It's a great way to fight for our country, by staying on our Coasts and protecting our waters.

Answer 3

There was a time when they were not considered one of the "Armed Forces". Not a sentiment I agreed with. Most think that the Coast Guard just patrols around the coast lines of the U.S. picking up smugglers and rescuing folks, and they do a hell of a lot of that. They also go overseas like the other services, especially during Desrt Storm.

Thier mission isn't only defense. They do all the research and create the regulation that you have to follow for that little row boat you have in Grandpas farm pond or that cabin cruiser you take out in the Gulf. International Ice Patrols, fisheries research and enforcement, environmental research and enforcement and a number of other responsibilites.

So, I would say that the answer to your question is YES

Answer 4

It's a great organization. They save a lot of lives and do good work. There's a new movie coming out next week called The Guardian. I think it's about a Coast Guard training facility and stars Kevin Costner and Aston Kutcher. The two men came to the Chicago Coast Guard facility a few weeks ago to visit with the workers there. I know it's just a movie but it looks like it might be good.

Answer 5

The Coast Guard probably gets far less notoriety because they operate mainly at close proximity to the United States. Technically they are not part of the Defense department. They used to be under the Treasury Department, but I believe now they are under Homeland Security. They are an excellent branch of service with very well trained personnel.

Answer 6

You dont hear much about them because they are small. They dont work for the DOD they work for Homeland Security so when it comes to the operations overseas they never really go and if they do they team up with the Navy.

I think its would be great to be in the CG. You will always be stationed around the water. Plus they have the search and rescue which would be a really cool job. That was actually my first choice. They kept blowing me off until they finally got ahold of my ASVAB scores but by thay time I already signed with the AF. Just talk to the recruiter and look into it.

Answer 7

Coast Guard rocks. if you have any question just ask me :)