WHEN IS THE COAST GUARD BIRTHDAY? COAST GUARD HISTORY & FACTS


By mrixon
Rear Admiral William G. Kelly cuts birthday cake at a Coast Guard birthday celebration at the Coast Guard Academy in 2022.

We all know that The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is the United States’ annual celebration of freedom and liberty. But did you know that exactly one month later our nation celebrates the Coast Guard’s birthday? How old is the Coast Guard, you ask? Founded on August 4, 1790, the military branch is celebrating its 233rd birthday in 2023. Celebrate with us by learning more about its history, along with some fun Coast Guard facts. Related: Herman the Cat Slayed Foes Aboard U.S. Coast Guard ShipsFun Coast Guard birthday fact: They are nicknamed “Puddle Pirates.” This is because their primary missions take place closer to the shore where the water is significantly shallower than the open ocean.

What is the Coast Guard?

One of the United States’ eight uniformed services, the Coast Guard is tasked with maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement. The Coast Guard, along with the Coast Guard Reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary, has protected our coasts from both domestic and international threats since 1790. The official duties of the U.S. Coast Guard include:

  1. Maritime law enforcement
  2. Maritime first response
  3. Safety and marine environmental protection
  4. Maritime transportation system management
  5. Maritime security operations
  6. Maritime defense operations

Fun Coast Guard birthday fact: “Semper Paratus,” meaning always ready, is the Coast Guard’s official motto.

When Was the Coast Guard Founded? A Coast Guard History Lesson

Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, is the man credited with the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard. Hamilton lobbied Congress to fund the production of 10 cutters—which arrived in 1790. What are cutters anyway? A cutter is any sea vessel that is over 65 feet long. These 10 vessels went on to be the United States’ only naval force until the official re-establishment of the United States Navy in 1798. Back then it was known as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, and they were tasked with the enforcement of federal tariffs and the prevention of smuggling in U.S territory. Therefore, the Coast Guard is actually older than the Navy!Suggested Read: Admiral Linda Fagan Named First Woman To Lead Military BranchThe Coast Guard got its present title in 1915, when Congress merged the Revenue Marine with Life-Saving Service (a private organization dedicated to maritime search and rescue), and became the country’s single maritime security service. Fun Coast Guard birthday fact: Sinbad, a dog, is the Coast Guard's most famous mascot. He served the Coast Guard as Chief Dog from 1937 - 1948.

The Difference Between the Coast Guard And the Navy

Is the Coast Guard a part of the navy? No, it is not. But is the Coast Guard a part of the military? Yes! While the Coast Guard is not a part of the United States Department of Defense (DOD), they are a part of the United States Armed Forces. The difference between the Coast Guard and the Navy might not be apparent at first glance but they are actually quite separate from each other. After the U.S. Space Force, the Coast Guard is the United States’ smallest (but mightiest) military branch with 41,700 full-time active-duty personnel, 7,800 part-time reservists, 8,300 civilians, and 31,000 auxiliary Coast Guard volunteers as of 2022. If you look at how many people are in the Coast Guard, you notice that the Navy operates on a much larger scale with 349,593 active-duty personnel alone (nearly 12 times more than the Coast Guard) as of 2021, and that amounts to a lot of protection across America’s waterways.Another significant difference between the Navy and the Coast Guard is that while the Coast Guard operates within United States territory, the Navy travels all around the globe. The Coast Guard maintains and enforces maritime law and protects our waterways and shores. The Navy, on the other hand, deals with international disturbances. Fun Coast Guard birthday fact: Walt Disney created a logo featuring Donald Duck for the Coast Guard during World War II. He didn’t do that for the Navy.

Happy Birthday to the Coast Guard

Make sure to join us on August 4 to celebrate the birthday of the Coast Guard. And if a friend ever asks you “When is the Coast Guard birthday?” you now have an answer along with a few morsels of fascinating trivia about life in the Coast Guard.Read Next: How the SS Marine Electric Disaster Inspired a Rescue Swimmer Program


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