The United States Coast Guard (USCG), under the Department of Homeland Security, is one of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Services, with a variety of functions at U.S. ports, coasts and inland waterways, as well as in international waters. Today, the Coast Guard’s peacetime roles include patrolling borders, enforcing licenses, protecting the environment, maintaining waterways, conducting rescue operations, inspecting vessels for safety and stemming the flow of drugs and other contraband into the United States. In times of war, the Coast Guard can be called upon to augment the other military services. The USCG’s budgets increased substantially following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, as it placed greater emphasis on homeland security missions.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG), gained a new leader on May 25, 2010, when Commandant of the Coast Guard Thad Allen finished his four-year tour in the post. President Obama chose Coast Guard Vice Admiral Robert A. Papp to be next Commandant. The Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during wartime, has about 42,000 active-duty men and women and 7,000 civilian employees. The USCG’s budget has increased substantially since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and it has become a key player in addressing some of the nation’s most complex security problems, including international smuggling and terrorism.