# US Coast Guard or Navy? **URL:** \ **Category:** United States Coast Guard\ **Created:** [May 4, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373 "2021-05-04T21:31:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/1 "2021-05-04T21:31:31Z")
Which coast is it the USCG is supposed to be guarding?: > **[Two USCG cutters arrive in Athens, Greece en route to their homeport in Bahrain](https://en.portnews.ru/news/312436/#:)** ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Seadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/67e7ee/32.png) [@Chief\_Seadog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Chief_Seadog)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/2 "2021-05-04T21:44:41Z")
The Admirals in the USCG want the same medals the other services get in troubled times. At least that is what I thought when their boats were over in Vietnam. ---
**Author:** ![27SAFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/439d5e/32.png) [@27SAFE](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/27SAFE)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 2:23am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/3 "2021-05-05T02:23:18Z")
Read what the missions and capabilities are. The USCG has missions Worldwide as part of DOD. Been doing it since 1789. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 10:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/4 "2021-05-05T10:14:19Z")
Other nations have Coast Guards too. The Coast Guard may be administratively under the Navy, but they are guarding own coast(s) and EEZ. not looking for glory on the other side of the world. PS\> SAR, Emergency towing and Fishery Inspection may also be part of their duty. but they don’t take on the role of Maritime Authority. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 12:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/5 "2021-05-05T12:57:32Z")
This is what googles says: ![CG_1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/8/c/8cd3b483d7c31e365503bc379bbfc1ee1f1ad786.png) That makes sense. The Coast Guard manned the landing craft in WWII because the Navy lacked personal with experience operating in the surf zone. . ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/1/3/13180d4db8ffb93b0761d43e9caa994915931048.png) Into the Jaws of Death taken by Coast Guard Chief Photographer’s Mate [Robert F. Sargent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Sargent) and manned by Coast Guard crew ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/4/c/4c6bf7251df38628df423608adab991f03b6ce22.jpeg) U.S. Coast Guard personnel evacuating U.S. Marines from near Point Cruz on Guadalcanal under fire during [Second Battle of the Matanikau River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actions_along_the_Matanikau) ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/6 "2021-05-05T13:17:28Z")
That gives the coasties an argument to buy 2 more for domestic use of course. Why shouldn’t coasty admirals have the same bragging rights and medals as the huge horde of navy admirals? During WW2 the navy had less than 230 admirals, now they have 244 according to Wikepedia - the navy doesn’t publish a count. That is about one admiral for every two ships. The coasties apparently have around 53 admirals. They oversee about 475 vessels over 100 feet in length. So, it is obvious that the coasties have admiral envy, they are seriously under-admiraled compared to the navy. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/quimby/32/3448_2.png) [@Quimby](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/7 "2021-05-05T15:11:40Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/4/0/40842ef266aeec52716342973a38ce6e6661c6fd.jpeg) [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas\_Albert\_Munro](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Albert_Munro) ---
**Author:** ![mbull](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/mbull/32/8005_2.png) [@mbull](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mbull)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/8 "2021-05-05T15:25:18Z")
These ships are Hulls #41 and 42 of 64 to be built… [https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Programs/Surface-Programs/Fast-Response-Cutters/](https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Programs/Surface-Programs/Fast-Response-Cutters/) ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/9 "2021-05-05T15:33:40Z")
I recall seeing CG patrol boats in Bahrain a few years back so evidently it’s not a new thing. From Wikipedia: > **[Patrol Forces Southwest Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol_Forces_Southwest_Asia)** > > Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is a United States Coast Guard command based in Manama, Bahrain. PATFORSWA was created in November 2002 as a contingency operation to support the U.S. Navy with patrol boats. The command's mission is to train, equip, deploy and support combat-ready Coast Guard forces conducting operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in the Naval Forces Central Command's area of respons... > The Navy saw the Coast Guard’s [cutters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Coast_Guard_Cutter) and skilled personnel as ideally suited to naval operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The shallow coastal areas and waterways of Iraq are subject to heavy silting and strategists believed that Iraq’s primary threat to American naval units came from small boats, patrol craft and mine laying vessels. The **Coast Guard’s patrol boats would expand the naval presence to shallow littoral areas where larger naval combatants could not navigate and Coast Guard cutters could remain on station for days as opposed to only a few hours typical of the Navy’s Special Forces boats.** In addition, the law enforcement background of Coast Guard personnel would expand the Navy’s ability to intercept and board Iraqi vessels and Coast Guard cutters could serve in force protection and escort duty, thereby freeing naval assets to conduct offensive combat operations. I was told that in general the Navy uses the CG whenever they have a task there that they want to get done. It was one of the coasties that told me that so he may have been biased. ---
**Author:** ![texastanker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e4f/32.png) [@texastanker](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/texastanker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/13 "2021-05-06T15:23:36Z")
Also the Coast Guard can act as law enforcement for boarding purposes for many situations including in international waters and in many cases foreign flags as well. The Navy can not do this. “(a) The Coast Guard may make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, seizures, and arrests upon the high seas and waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, for the prevention, detection, and suppression of violations of laws of the United States. For such purposes, commissioned, warrant, and petty officers may at any time go on board of any vessel subject to the jurisdiction, or to the operation of any law, of the United States, address inquiries to those on board, examine the ship’s documents and papers, and examine, inspect, and search the vessel and use all necessary force to compel compliance…” ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/14 "2021-05-06T15:46:52Z")
Yes that is what Coast Guards of other countries do as well, uphold the laws of their country in water that fall under it’s jurisdiction under UNCLOS. In some case they may act on the high seas, outside their EEZ to uphold international laws and rules. Illegal fisheries in international water is one such case. That is a far cry from the Coast Guard of a nation operating in waters far from home and where that nation has no jurisdiction, or is not acting on a UN mandate. ---
**Author:** ![Kenika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@Kenika](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kenika)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/15 "2021-05-09T22:25:48Z")
**Alternative Titles:** Revenue Cutter Service, Revenue Marine Service, USCG **United States Coast Guard (USCG)** , military service within the U.S. armed forces that is charged with the enforcement of maritime laws. It consists of approximately 35,000 officers and enlisted personnel, in addition to civilians. It is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. In time of war, it functions as part of the [U.S. Navy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-United-States-Navy) and is under the direction of the president. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 9:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/16 "2021-05-10T09:17:05Z")
Yes I’m fully aware that the USCG is not acting on their own without US Law behind it. What I question is WHY does Coast Guard vessels operate in waters far from home and acting in roles that does not normally fall under a Coast Guard’s SOP? Do you know of any other nation’s Coast Guard that do so?? If you want to play Navy, paint your ships gray. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/17 "2021-05-10T11:17:23Z")
Other nations coast guards likely had origins is something similar the the United States Life-Saving Service which began in 1848 but has it roots in volunteer service starting about 1786 From Wikipedia **[United States Life-Saving Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Life-Saving_Service)** > The **United States Life-Saving Service** [[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Life-Saving_Service#cite_note-1) was a [United States government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_the_United_States) agency that grew out of private and local humanitarian efforts to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers However the U.S. Coast Guard did not begin just as a life-saving service. It started as the Revenue Cutter Service or Revenue Marine in 1790. From the beginning it operated along with the Navy: > Between 1790 and 1798, the Revenue-Marine was the only armed maritime service of the United States, as the Navy had been disbanded > During the [Quasi-War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-War) with France from 1798 to 1801, the [U.S. Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Navy) was formed and the Revenue-Marine fought alongside the Navy, capturing or assisting in the capture of 20 French ships. The Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service in 1915 and was renamed the U.S. Coast Guard. ---
**Author:** ![Tupsis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tupsis](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Tupsis)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 11:50am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/18 "2021-05-10T11:50:42Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > If you want to play Navy, paint your ships gray. One of the reasons for the USCG’s overseas deployment that there are “international missions” where a white hull is better than a grey hull. ---
**Author:** ![SeaEagle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/seaeagle/32/17788_2.png) [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/19 "2021-05-10T14:13:55Z")
My beloved nephew is a chief engineer and served on quite a few drug intradiction vessels. He is now shoreside in Maine in his latest billet. They travelled many thousands of miles on broke down machinery. The most underfunded outfit in the USA fleet. ---
**Author:** ![captarne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/captarne/32/9185_2.png) [@captarne](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/captarne)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/20 "2021-05-10T18:32:46Z")
I served in the Coast Guard and we go where needed. We can work under the auspice of the Navy. Traditionally the Coast Guard has filled in for the Navy where necessary. That was one reason I joined, whereas the other services were limited in their scope the Coast Guard could and did a lot more. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/21 "2021-05-11T14:08:38Z")
Yes, especially for clandestine operations. Even better would be white hulls with large red cross painted on the sides. Escorting Naval vessels is no such operation: > **[U.S. Coast Guard Ship Fires Warning Shots in Latest Encounter with Iranian...](https://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-ship-fires-warning-shots-in-latest-encounter-with-iranian-vessels/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-f0a0354fdb-169863069&mc_cid=f0a0354fdb&mc_eid=4674ba0fbe)** > > By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) – A U.S. Coast Guard ship fired about 30 warning shots after 13 vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came close... That should be done by gray hulls IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![WillyJP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@WillyJP](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/WillyJP)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/22 "2021-05-12T00:57:29Z")
For those interested in the military side of the Coast Guard, one of it’s many and diverse roles, the magazine “Naval History”, published by the US Naval Institute, has run a lot of good articles on various wars and campaigns it has played a role in. When I served with the USPSH as a young general medical officer, one of my buddies at the Galveston Marine Hospital was tapped to be ship’s surgeon on the WHEC “Dallas” for a Tonkin Gulf cruise in 1969. The Dallas had a very distinguished tour, interdicted many VC sampans and other small craft mischief, and even won kudos for naval gunfire support of shore ops with their 5" gun. WW1 was where the Coast Guard first was handed a true war fighting role, but even the old Revenue Cutter service sailing cutters were in some actions as far back as the War of 1812. You can browse the archives of Naval History w/o a subscription I think. One interesting article if you’re interested: > **[The Coast Guard's Great War Challenge](https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2018/april/coast-guards-great-war-challenge)** > > In April 1912, the Royal Ma PS: for comparison, the old high endurance cutters of the Hamilton class (like the Dallas) were pretty big ships (for the job). By comparison, the Dallas displ. was a bit over 3000 tons and they were 378’ overall. The most common WW2 Navy destroyers (the Fletcher class) were about 2500 tons and 376’. ---
**Author:** ![27SAFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/439d5e/32.png) [@27SAFE](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/27SAFE)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 3:37am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373/23 "2021-05-12T03:37:54Z")
Interesting that you are allowed to bully and use offensive terms and are protected, yet anyone else who calls you out gets censored… [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/us-coast-guard-or-navy/59373.md?page=2)