The Coast Guard (CG) is the nation's smallest armed service and the most misunderstood armed service. Most Americans know that the Coast Guard is the nation's primary lifesaving service. Some may also know that the Coast Guard is the nation's oldest maritime service. While the Coast Guard falls under the UCMJ just like the other four branches, and often works side-by-side with them, particularly the Navy; The Coast Guard is usually trained for a very different mission than its peacetime DOD counterparts. This document will shed light on the Coast Guard's accomplishments and sacrifices in its National Defense mission. The legal basis for the Coast Guard to operate as a military force is Title 14 of the United States Code, which states: "The Coast Guard as established January 28, 1915, shall at all times constitute a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States ." Upon declaration of war or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard shall operate under the authority of the Department of the Navy.” The Coast Guard can trace its origins to August 4, 1790. On this date President George Washington, at the urging of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, ordered the construction of ten ships. Those ten ships would be called the Revenue Cutter Service (RCS). The purpose of these ships was to enforce tariff regulations and strengthen the coffers of the newly formed United States. It is the nation's oldest continuous marine service. These ships would be used to "cut" contraband into and out of the United States. The term "cutter" is still used today to describe any Coast Guard vessel of 65 feet or more. The RCS was first put into service during the undeclared quasi-war with France in 1798-99. In 17... middle of paper... less and when called upon to fight it will transform from a humanitarian and police service to a fighting force to be reckoned with. Works Cited Cutler, Thomas J Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam. Naval Institute Press, 2000Demographics of Active Duty US Military http://www.statisticbrain.com/demographics-of-active-duty-us-militaryKroll, C. Douglas. The story of a US Coast Guard cutter. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press 2010Lagan, Christopher http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/06/remembering-uscgc-escanaba-wpg-77/Puller, Lewis B. Fortunate Son: The Autobiography of Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Grove Press, 2000United States Army Military History Center http://www.history.army.mil/moh/wwII-ms.html#MUNROU.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office http://www.uscg.mil/history