The United States Coast Guard holds the primary responsibility as the federal agency overseeing maritime safety, security, and environmental preservation within U.S. ports and waterways. In this role, the Coast Guard safeguards more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways and protects the world’s most expansive Exclusive Economic Zone, covering 4.5 million square miles. As one of the six Armed Services of the United States, the Coast Guard is uniquely positioned as the only military branch nested within the Department of Homeland Security.

Beyond its military responsibilities, the Coast Guard operates as a first responder and humanitarian organization, delivering aid to individuals in distress or affected by natural and man-made disasters, either at sea or onshore. As a member of the Intelligence Community, the Coast Guard also functions as a regulatory and law enforcement agency, vested with wide-ranging legal authorities related to maritime transportation, hazardous materials shipping, bridge administration, oil spill response, pilotage, and vessel construction and operation.

Our units are primarily located near coastal communities within the continental United States, with additional units stationed in Puerto Rico, Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii. The compensation and benefits we offer align with those of our Department of Defense counterparts from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. A unique advantage of serving in the Coast Guard is that there is no requirement to sleep in a tent or serve in combat zones such as Bahrain or Iraq, unless you voluntarily choose to do so. You’ll have the opportunity to keep in regular contact with your family and share your experiences, except during short stints at sea when internet connectivity may be limited due to mission safety or security considerations.