The U.S. Coast Guard patrols the nation's waterways. The Coast Guard has been responsible for protecting the nation's harbors for many years. It was created by Congress in 1789 to enforce tariffs and build and maintain lighthouses. All of the Coast Guard's current duties were consolidated in 1939.
The Coast Guard does not fall under the Department of Defense. Until recently, the Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation. Recent legislation has move the Coast Guard to the newly created Department of Homeland Defense.
However, the Coast Guard is considered a military service, because, during times of war or conflict, the President of the United States can transfer any or all assets of the Coast Guard to the Department of the Navy.
The Coast Guard protects and defends more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways, and safeguards an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompassing 4.5 million square miles stretching from North of the Arctic Circle to South of the equator, from Puerto Rico to Guam, encompassing nine time zones – the largest EEZ in the world.
As one of the five Armed Services of the United States, the Coast Guard is the only military branch within the Department of Homeland Security.
Learn more about the U.S. Coast Guard on USCG.mil and Military.com.