If we're fighting a "war on terror", who's in charge of the Coast Guard right now?

Question

Title 14 of the US Code states that the Coast Guard is NOT under the control of the Department of Defense in peacetime, but gets positioned under the Navy in the hierarchy of things if congress declares war or at the request of the President.

If this is truly a war on terror that we're fighting, why is the Coast Guard still reporting to the Director of Homeland Security?

Answer 1

I believe that since this "war on terror" is conducted on executive order (presidential edict) versus being declared by Congress that is why the Coast Guard still reports to the DHS.

Answer 2

Some Coast Guard personnel I believe have been assigned to the Navy in the Gulf area. The main purpose to protect American ports and shores is just as well done under Homeland Security then DOD. Actually with the last move out of DOD some things hap pend that make re-integrating the Coast Guard a little more difficult; mainly, the use military rank but the pay scale is different as the primary example. If they return to DOD control does the pay scale revert to DOD pay? That had nothing to do with Homeland Security that was done when they moved out of the DOD after Vietnam and the civilians bosses decided they weren't paid enough, why the remainder of the military was paid enough was a question but DOD couldn't get the money for raises and the Treasury could.

Answer 3

I belive that code is only implemented during actual combat war time. The Coast Guard is under the Department of the Navy, but right now we are under the Department of Homeland Security along with ICE, Secret Service etc... The war on terror is primarliy fought by Federal Agencies like the war on drugs is.

Answer 4

We don't formally declare wars like we did back in WWII & before, or rigt after when the national defense act that created the DoD was written with that clause.

The way it works now, in war or not, is elements of the CG are called to serve with the navy as needed, and the rest of the time work for DHS. They are quite active with the navy now and of course with DHS as well.

Answer 5

OR AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT.

You answered your own question kiddo.

The president has not made the request to bring the Coast Guard under the Navy.

Answer 6

You have to want to fight overseas in the Coast Guard. Its a small number that go to the Middle East, so there are more volunteers than slots available.