Are you aware of the proposal of a US congressman to move the US Coast Guard from the DHS to the DoD? What are your thoughts on this issue?

2017-03-24T13:32:43-04:00

A recent proposal has been submitted to the appropriate US House committee to swap the USCG from the Dept. of Homeland Security to the Dept. of Defense. Considering just past DOD matériel procurement and budget issues, would the USCG lose its unique identity if this occurred? Having served in the USN and USA before retiring from the USCG, I have real doubts about the impact of this idea. And you?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 24 at 2017 1:38 PM

2017-03-24T13:38:05-04:00

This won't happen, Senior. Right off the bat they'd lose their LEO powers to Posse Comitatus. That would have to be repealed with regards to the CG otherwise. And it would be monumentally stupid to strip them of LEO powers. That's an awesome picture though. What ship is that?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2017 2:13 PM

2017-03-24T14:13:23-04:00

I've never considered the Coast Guard to not be part of the Armed Forces, different job/uniform same mission same oath. As part of Homeland Security though don't they have a similar job to law enforcement? Are they also not part DOD sometimes anyway?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 24 at 2017 3:38 PM

2017-03-24T15:38:16-04:00

Perhaps the real catch in moving USCG to DoD is their law enforcement role. Generally DoD components do not conduct law enforcement activities or missions. The Coast Guard has specific law enforcement missions that are vital to the physical and economic security of the US. Additionally, they are likely to become even more of a "red-haired step-child" than they are already. Being a small armed service with missions no other Service does may put them on the lowest rung of the funding ladder in the DoD (giving the Marines a break). I think they should stay where they are with the continuing provision that they can be reassigned to the DoD in time of war.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Mar 24 at 2017 10:52 PM

2017-03-24T22:52:25-04:00

USCG is a descendant of the Revenue Marine (aka Revenue Cutter Service) starting Aug 4, 1790 as part of the Treasury Dept. RCS was a floating Customs Service, which is why the US Customs Service flag and the USCG flag have similar designs. From 1784 to 1798, the RCS was the sole maritime power of the new United States. US Navy disbanded for various reasons, but mainly because the country could not afford it. The US Navy and RCS first fought alongside during the Quasi-War with France from 1798 to 1801. USRC Pickering captured ten French ships. The Naval Act of 1794 started shipbuilding of a new naval force.

War of 1812 established the new Navy as a world maritime power. The RCS fought with what they had while also carrying out traditional Customs duties. USRC Jefferson captured the first English ship of the war. The two services began to grow apart due to their missions. By the end of the Civil War, the US Navy had about 670 vessels of various sizes. RCS was a fraction of the Navy's size. But, USRC Harriet Lane did fire the first shot of a Northern ship in defense of Charleston.

Posse Comitatus does not directly applies to the Navy. The Navy's prohibition is by policy, not law. When USCG LE detachments travel on Navy vessels, the LE activity is done under USCG authority. Legally, the US Navy is not involved. There will be major foreign relations conflicts if USCG moves to DOD. Many foreign ports will not welcome US Navy vessels for many reasons. Common problem is the carriage of nuclear weapons. It is assumed that all Navy vessels carry nukes. USCG vessels do not carry the political baggage that a DOD asset has.

Main point is the USCG and the Navy have different histories, cultures, resources, missions, uniforms, and traditions. Keep them separate. When the going gets tough, the Navy knows how to get help. "The Coast Guard is that hard nucleus about which the Navy forms in time of war."

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Mar 24 at 2017 10:56 PM

2017-03-24T22:56:36-04:00

Yes, I sailed Eagle on two patrols. Broke the speed record near the Azores going 17.5kts under sail in 1981. Blow out two jibs.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 24 at 2017 11:45 PM

2017-03-24T23:45:35-04:00

I think it is both, but I agreed it should be DOD 1st... SCPO Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2017 1:03 AM

2017-03-25T01:03:49-04:00

I was not aware. Personally I think they should stay on DHS. Although the USCG do deploy overseas in small numbers their primary mission is to protect the homeland at home. I think the National Guard should be moved under DHS.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2017 9:27 AM

2017-03-25T09:27:33-04:00

I doubt it's a good idea. Who in congress is proposing this? I'm curious as to their national security background.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 28 at 2017 8:25 AM

2017-03-28T08:25:14-04:00

Think they should stay where they are under DHS. As others have pointed out, they have a primary Law Enforcement mission that by law isn't compatible with being part of DOD. Granted USCG assets "chop" to DOD but that situation is only slightly different than when state Guard Units are called up by DOD. Key there is operational control, when a USCG or Guard Unit chops to DOD they are under DOD control, not DHS or the State Governor.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2017 9:54 AM

2017-03-28T09:54:37-04:00

I was not aware of this proposal, and certainly not in favor of it considering the change would hinder their responsibilities. I'd be interested in finding any more information on this or any news articles on this topic.

Response by CPO Robert Henry made Jun 26 at 2017 4:30 PM

2017-06-26T16:30:38-04:00

The Congressman should read 14 USC 89 and a little thing called Posse Comitatus and then slap himself.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jun 27 at 2017 4:09 AM

2017-06-27T04:09:24-04:00

They used to be under DOT until we were at war, and then fell under DoD.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 8:27 AM

2017-06-28T08:27:57-04:00

I don't see the issue. Despite having been originally part of the Dept of the Treasury, and then a part of the Dept of Transportation, and now DHS, it has always been considered, by law, a branch of the Armed Forces.

"The Coast Guard's legal authority differs from the other four armed services, as it operates simultaneously under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and its other organic authorities, such as Titles 6, 14, 19, 33, and 46. Because of its legal authority, the Coast Guard can conduct military operations under the U.S. Department of Defense or directly for the President in accordance with Title 14 USC 1–3. The Coast Guard's enduring roles are maritime safety, security, and stewardship. To carry out those roles, it has 11 statutory missions as defined in 6 U.S.C. § 468, which include enforcing U.S. law in the world's largest exclusive economic zone of 3.4 million square miles (8,800,000 km2)."

Even if they were rolled into DOD, the laws that they fall under would still exempt them from Posse Comitatus.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jun 28 at 2017 12:41 PM

2017-06-28T12:41:59-04:00

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. USCG has traditionally been under the umbrella of the Dept of Commerce if memory serves except during periods of war or deployment to hostile fire areas when control was shifted to DoD, specifically USN. Why screw with something that works?