The United States Coast Guard is the oldest coninuously operating seagoing force in the United States Military. While it is true the Coast Guard is also the smallet of the five branches of the military, the Coast Guard maintains the security and defense of our domestic shorelines and waterways. The role they play in our safety at home is crucial and immeasurable.

The Coast Guard formerly fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. They now answer to the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard Academy is located in New London, CT and all who complete the four year program are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and their commssion as an ensign. The Coast Guard Academy is considered a top notch educational experience and its graduates are well respected in their fields.

Coast Guard boot camp is similar to other military boot camps or basic training.  Continuing for 8 weeks, this training is physically demanding and recruits will be expected to accomplish several basic mandatory requirements to graduate.

One of the primary differences between the Coast Guard and the other four branches of the US military is the fact that the Coast Guard offers all job and career fields to women as well as men, including combat positions. 

Enlistment in the Coast Guard offers a huge array of benefits to members such as educational benefits and programs, advancement and promotion, life insurance, high quality medical care, competitive pay, vacation time, career and job training and more.