does the coast guard have a special forces unit?

Answer 1

First I think we would do well to clarify our terms.

'Special Forces' usually refers to a certain kind of unit which does certain kinds of tasks. These include unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, recon, training, and so on. They are not infrequently called upon to operate behind enemy lines and with little additional support. As such, the soldiers that serve in such units are usually among the best.

Given that kind of definition of special forces, you can see that the Coast Guard really has no need of such a unit per se. The Coast Guard usually operates in friendly territory with clear lines of supply and copious information. Though they are occasionally called upon to augment other military units, this is not their primary function.

Which is not to say that the Coast Guard does not have any elite forces. Quite the contrary. I suspect the closest you could come to a 'special forces' unit in the Coast Guard would be the MSST - the Maritime Safety and Secuity Team, which performs anti-terrorism functions. But again, I would adjudicate that this team is more 'elite' than 'special'. A group of specialists is NOT the same as a 'special force'.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

No, the only service that specifically has a Special Forces unit is the U.S. Army. I do believe you mean more broadly Special Operations, and the last I checked coasties are not part of SOCOM, which would make sense since they are not part of the Armed Forces, but part of Homeland Security by way of the Department of Transportation.

Answer 3

Nah. Closest they get to that is Rescue Swimmers. Those are the Coast Guard "elite." The training is extremely rigorous. Read more here: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/coastguard/a/cgrescueswimmer.htm

Answer 4

Sure do. Search and Rescue.

Answer 5

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