Military Branches..?

Question

Are soldeirs in the Coast Guard looked or talked down to from other services (Army,Navy,Marines,AF)? If so, Im not sure why; most of the people in the Coast Guard are doing alot more for the country than alot of the MOS's in other branches..But by the way ive heard people talk and on tv and ect.. It seems the Coast Guard is looked at a lesser branch..Do people see it this way?..If so, why?

Answer 1

The US Coast Guard isn't a military organization because it isn't under the Department of Defense. It was with the Dept of Commerce but is now with the Department of Homeland Security. I've been a Marine for years and the subject of the Coast Guard has never come up. It'd be like saying that the USMC is better than any Firefighter in the world. It doesn't make sense. They have a completely different job description and are therefore not compatible. That's not to say that they aren't great at what they do but they aren't soliders or Marines. So it's like comparing apples and oranges.

Answer 2

yes they are, as a former marine a know first hand it's looked down upon, there's a perception that the coast guard doesn't have the same rigoruos standards.

of course it is a perception there may or may not be some level of truth to it, actually most of the time the coast guard isn't even considered as one of the four in contention fowho's the best between the healthy rivalery. they are just looked at as a law enforcement extension, which they are under normal circumstances, but actually a lot of former marines and corpman go into the coast guard.

and just because services talk trash about each other, you shouldn't take this as disrespect, it's just a part of the culture of competition that is important in any situation where you are trying to form and maintain teams to accomplish a goal wheather it be sports or the military. i'm sure if you asked any service member seriuosly, they'd tell you they respect the coast guards' (or anyother branch's for that matter) commitment to serve their country.

Answer 3

Your observation is correct. The reason for this is that the Coast Guard (although occasionally performing military roles) is technically not part of the military. It is not located in the Department of Defense (like the other services). Until the government reorganization of 2002, the Coast Guard was located in the Department of Commerce.

After reorganization, it is now located in the Department of Homeland Security.

Another reason some people look down is because the Coast Guard (for the most part) does not face hostile enemy fire like the other services. But what these people fail to comprehend is that "Coasties" put their lives on the line every day in harrowing rescue operations, and also face considerable dangers from interdicting smugglers of all kinds (many of whom are very heavily armed).

You're right. Coasties get a bad rap.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 4

Well while the Coast Guard is not a part of the Dept. of Defense like the other branches they do have their own mission. I guess being a Navy vet we picked on them the most. When ever one of their boats(we have ships) was tied up across the pier from us we both picked on each other. The joke was that you had to be at least 6 foot tall to be in the CG so if your boat sank you walk back to shore. We always called them the row boat navy.

Answer 5

Being a Coast Guard Vet we didn't care what the other branches said. We are proud of our job which is life saving versus killing. We also get the same benefits as someone in the other branches of service.

Last but not least you have to have a high IQ to get into the Coast Guard... SEMPER PERATIS

Answer 6

I am not so sure that is true. They are not a war fighting unit and soldiers are praised for going into battle. But the Coast Guard does battle every day........to save lifes and to keep drugs out of this country.
The Coast Guard is a totally separate branch and requires different training that is still tough. The men and women of the CG put their lives on the line every day. They should have our respect.

Answer 7

unfortunately yes. I was in the army and dated someone in the coast guard. i made fun of him. i feel bad for it. but i think each branch looks down on the other branches in the first place, i.e. jarheads, squids etc. i feel the coast gaurd gets it harder though, just like the reserves do by being called weekend warriors. after dating that guy i did realize just how much the CG does. they play a part just as much as the other branches.

Answer 8

I was in the Air Force and I can't remember anyone ever talking bad about the Coast Guard. I can't remember anyone ever even talking about the Coast Guard. You know, we all had our little jokes about the other services...the Navy with their "seamen" hahahahah (that still makes me laugh), and then the grunts in the Army and Marines..you know we said their weren't very smart and they said we were all spoiled and didn't have a work ethic. One seamen I know (hahahahahahah) called us the "Chair Force"

But - the Coast Guard...no one ever seemed to acknowledge their existence; like there were the big four...and, oh yeah, the Coast Guard.

Answer 9

this is true.....

mostly because how many CG guys do you see doing snatch and grab ops in Iraq? Are they pulling year long stints over there? Are they doing convoy escort? All the other services Army, Navy, AF, Marines are. Even the once precieved weak MOS's like clerk, cook, motor pool etc... are over there getting attacked daily. I think you will see now that after Afghanistan and Iraq the 4 primary services now look differently at eachother because of their shared expierences within the war time environment. However that being said. The CG does have a war time requirement of providing Harbor Defense in South Korea of all places. I know it sounds weird, but i wouldnt have believed it myself if I had not seen it first hand.

Answer 10

The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Transportation rather than the Department of Defense.