Coast Guard
One of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Coast Guard falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The country’s oldest incessant seagoing service, the U.S. Coast Guard has responsibilities in Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Icebreaking, Military Readiness, Search and Rescue (SAR), Port Security, and Environmental Protection. In order to carry out the responsibilities and missions of this Armed Forces branch, 38,000 active-duty men and women, 8,000 Reservists, and 35,000 Auxiliarists serve in a multiplicity of occupational fields. These range from small-boat operators and maintenance and operation specialists, to aviation mechanics and electronic technicians.
During an average day, the U.S Coast Guard will:
- Conduct 109 Search and Rescue Cases
- Protect $2,791,841 in property
- Save 10 lives Assist 192 people in distress
- Intercept 14 illegal migrants
- Seize 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine worth $9,589,000
- Respond to 20 oil or hazardous chemical spills totaling 2,800 gallons
- Launch 164 aircraft missions, logging 324 hours
- Service 135 aids to navigation
- Launch 396 small boat missions
- Board 100 large vessels for port safety checks
- Board 144 vessels
