Where are all the Coasties?

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 14:38:04 -0500

One of the biggest issues I've seen while working within Veteran Advocacy is finding people that served within the Coast Guard.  These men and women serve just like any of the rest of us but yet it seems they are kept in shadows to the point where some people fail to recognize them as members of the DoD.  Here in Pittsburgh, with our 3 navigable rivers, the Coast Guard has members here but they are really unseen until something happens on the rivers.  <div><br></div><div>I guess the point of all this is to ask where the heck are all the Coasties?  Is there a certain area of America where they have a higher consideration of Coasties?  What's the population like here on RallyPoint?</div>

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 20 at 2013 4:04 PM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:04:27 -0500

Ben,

I would suggest looking under the units tab for any listed there or also checking the MOS search as well, to try and find any that are currently members, we have many on the site, as I have many on my contacts list, so I know they are here.

Good luck with your search, have a safe and happy holidays

Response by MCPO Robert Kelley made Jan 24 at 2014 12:49 PM

MCPO Robert Kelley — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:49:21 -0500

SGT Keen,

Thanks for looking out for "us". I suspect that is it a numbers
issue. The entire service strength is under 40,000, frequently outnumbered by
the New York City Police Department.

The Coast Guard is one of the five armed forces but is actually not part of the DoD unless there is a declared
war when the entire service is transferred to the DoN. The last time this was done was WWII (1 Nov
1941 through 1 Jan 1946).

The Coast
Guard has been involved in every armed conflict though it isn’t always the entire service
being transferred, frequently it is individual operational units being assigned
to a theater operational commander. The
Coast Guard Ceremonial Color actually as 43 Battle Streamers representing the contributions
of the men and women that served in the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard is currently part of DHS, previously DOT, spending time in
Treasury, Commerce and Justice.

Part of the difficulty in “finding us” that there are few large concentrations,
we go where the work is, so with small boat stations scattered along the coast and
rivers many with fewer than 25 members they blend in.
Some of the larger concentrations are the Washington DC area, Portsmouth
VA, Kodiak AK, Alameda CA, Boston MA, Seattle WA, Miami and Key West.

We also travel the globe often as lone vessel...

Response by PO2 Arnold Lapham made Dec 26 at 2014 12:58 PM

PO2 Arnold Lapham — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 12:58:40 -0500

There is an organization called "Coast Guard Combat Veterans" and members must be a combat member to join.
Of the 1500 members we have WW2, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War Veterans.

I was in Vietnam for one year on the Coast Guard Patrol Boat "Point Grey" CG82324 and home port was Catlo Vietnam.

Coasties are spread out all over the country and very proud of their Coast Guard Service.

Since the Coast Guard is small, a Coastie has to be a team player and fill in on other jobs when needed. With such a small number of Coasties for example if your MOS is a Machinery Technician, at times you will also fill in as a electrician, Damage Control, Boat Coxswain, gunner, and many other duties.
That is why one person out of 100 who wants to join the Coast Guard actually makes it into the Coast Guard.

Response by SN Christopher White made Mar 2 at 2015 11:57 PM

SN Christopher White — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 23:57:03 -0500

Coasties are everywhere. And I know what you mean. I am a disabled veteran of the USCG. When I tell people that, I get the strangest looks, and it irritates me. Most coasties that I know tend to retire or separate from the service to either one of their favorite duty places, or back to their hometowns. Alaska is a huge coastie state because honestly, once you live there, you fall in love with it... But I think it has to do with the fact that we are a very small branch comparatively... So we are more scarce. Anyway, my rants over. Semper Paratus!

Response by CPO Jim Wingate made Nov 16 at 2015 7:25 PM

CPO Jim Wingate — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:25:00 -0500

There are alot of members of the CG who have RP accounts. Pittsburgh is not a big hub for coasties. Florida, Alaska, Seattle and California are CG hubs. We are everywhere just not in big numbers. Semper Paratus

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 16 at 2015 7:40 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:40:51 -0500

When I lived on the Texas coast I saw lots of Coasties. They had a station at Galveston. They not only patrolled the Gulf but also Clear Lake and Lake Sommerville where I boated a lot. It was nothing unusual to be stopped and checked out by the Coast Guard. Mostly they were interested in safety equipment and the condition of your boat if you were offshore as well as alcohol use by the driver. I probably noticed them more than many because I have had several family members who were Coast Guard including my Dad in WWII and a nephew who just recently retired. They do a hell of a job making boating safe for everybody.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Nov 17 at 2015 8:13 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:13:56 -0500

Small in number, big in heart! We are here, often overlooked, usually underestimated, mostly over tasked, but standing ever vigilant. Semper Paratus!

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Nov 17 at 2015 2:45 PM

LTJG Robert M. — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 14:45:12 -0500

Present & accounted for.
USCG is traditionally a small service, at max 49000 active duty members.

Response by PO3 Richard Longo made Nov 19 at 2015 2:27 PM

PO3 Richard Longo — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:27:09 -0500

We are all around you. In the Tampa Bay area, there are several large Coast Guard units and ships. You see USCG Florida license plates everywhere.

Response by PO1 Robert Gasser made Nov 20 at 2015 7:58 AM

PO1 Robert Gasser — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 07:58:08 -0500

I'm here in Pitt

Response by PO1 Robert Gasser made Nov 20 at 2015 8:02 AM

PO1 Robert Gasser — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:02:11 -0500

There are only about 110 of coasties in our region of Pitt pa. I'm sure there are more vets because I occasionally get the honor to run into one when they recognize a shirt or hat that I wear around. Thanks to you all because we are the "forgotten ones"

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2015 3:39 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 03:39:01 -0500

I find that when I tell many vets of other branches I was a "Puddle Pirate", I am not treated with the same respect as members of those other branches. I was proud to serve, but, I find that because we are a life saving organization that fell under the DOT and now Homeland Security, our lack of organizational combat duties make others look down on us. This may in fact not be true, but it has been my experience. If I had a nickel for every time I have heard "Oh. you were in the Coast Guard, Ya'll ain't S**T....." from someone who served in the Army Or Marine Corp, I could pay off my substantial mortgage..... Thus I don't really discuss it outside of my fellow Coasties. But to answer your question.... We are everywhere there is large masses of water. Maine to Key West, Great Lakes down the Mississippi River to the Gulf Coast. Los Angeles to Seattle, and Kodiak to Nome Alaska all the way to Hawaii..... As for me.... I called Governors Island NY home for several years until it was shut down. It had 2-378 cutters... USCGC Dallas and the USCGC Gallatin, The USCGC Sorrel a 180 Buoy Tender.... Small Boat Station NY, and my ANT (Aids to Navigation) unit.... If there is water... we are there..... It is after all.... The Coast Guard....

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 12:25 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:25:44 -0500

We r everywhere just ask

Response by PO3 Sarah Weygand made Dec 16 at 2015 2:29 AM

PO3 Sarah Weygand — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 02:29:19 -0500

Hello from Kansas!

Response by PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr made Jan 10 at 2016 5:05 PM

PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:05:04 -0500

i use to live on ohio river blvd in Ambridge Pa. and had a Coast Guard Flag flying under the American flag. whenever i was on my deck and a Coast Guard vehicle would go by they always honked and waved.
i am just as proud of my service as any other vet or active out there. we served where the leadership sent us be it omaha beach the rivers of vietnam or the south china sea or the waters of the continental USA. either under homeland security or DoD we serve our country with pride and distinction no matter the mission. so others may live! Semper Paratus Forever.

Response by PO2 Gary Wood made Mar 8 at 2016 11:49 PM

PO2 Gary Wood — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 23:49:56 -0500

We're all over. But being one of the most selective services (due to budgets and resources) we don't have as many vets as the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force.
Wanna find us quick, call on channel 16... We'll answer!

Response by FN Charlie Spivey made May 7 at 2016 8:19 AM

FN Charlie Spivey — Sat, 07 May 2016 08:19:23 -0400

First, The Coasrt Guard is a very small branch of the Service ( less than 100,000 ). Second, The CG is NOT a member of the DoD. When I joined, it was the Treasury Dept. then in '66 it went to the Dept. Of Transportation ( stupid idea ). Now it is with the Dept. of Homeland Security. Having said that, I was aboard one of 5 ships that started the newly formed Coast Guard Squadron 3. We were under ComWesPac 7th Fleet. TF 115. Coast Guard Squadron 3. I am 100% Service Connected Disabled due to Agent Orange issues. When I first went to the VA, they handed me my DD214 back and told me that I was Coast Guard and NOT eligible. I told her she had damned well better lok at that thing again and if she did, she would see the Vietnam Service and other wards from that time and then tell me I wasn't eligible. She took it back somewhere and themn came back appologizing. I didn't want to hear it and told her as much.

A lot of folks are aware of the Coast Guard's "Peacetime" duties as it is in the news. What they DON"T realize is that the Coast Guard is also Militarily trained. The ships, just like the Naval vessels have to go down to Gitmao annually for their Readiness tests and believe me, they are very very strenuous and if you don't get that efiiciency "E", your skipper is not going to be a happy camper. In time of war, the Coast Guard is trained to operate as a Navy unit under Navy Command. There are Coasties serving in the Gulf today.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 15 at 2018 5:41 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 17:41:14 -0400

"some people fail to recognize them as members of the DoD."

Department of Homeland Security (as opposed to DoD)

That said, my son ships to USCG bootcamp in November!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2018 8:30 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:30:26 -0400

...higher concentration...!!! This Coastie has a regular daily USCG post. Been posting neat Coast Guard photos periodically. Been sticking up for the USCG when it’s not mentioned with the other four services...right here on RallyPoint!!! On and on and on. My question is where have you been? I have rarely seen you adding to any post, let alone those concerning the USCG. BTW, about the “unseen” CG personnel in Pittsburgh, the USCG has been quietly performing its eleven-mission jobs around the country, AND world, for generations with little to no fanfare. In the midst of the fury and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, our then commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, didn’t wait a second to put us in harm’s way to rescue the citizens of New Orleans. And, yet, the network news occasionally forgot we were even there, giving credit instead to the Navy for a lot of the SAR activity, like that really happened. We’re use to it. So, to answer your question, we’re used to the anonymity, and, IMHO, a lot of Coasties like it that way.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 15 at 2018 8:59 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:59:37 -0400

MCPO Robert Kelley Coasties in DC? Just go to the Old Ebbit’s Grill across from the Treasury building. All of the Coasties that work at the Treasury must go there for lunch!

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jul 15 at 2018 10:49 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 22:49:06 -0400

I suspect there is a small CG veteran population in the Pittsburgh area. What services do you provide that may attract CG Vet attention?
You may think about visiting the Philadelphia USO on Sunday nights to talk to new CG recruits before heading south to Cape May. The USO is a weekly staging location.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 17 at 2018 10:48 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:48:08 -0400

Hell when I see 2 or more Coasties together, I figure it's a ship reunion!

Response by PO1 Don Mac Intyre made May 19 at 2019 1:52 PM

PO1 Don Mac Intyre — Sun, 19 May 2019 13:52:31 -0400

The USCG is not part of the DOD, and that makes the other services feel superior to the Oldest continuous service in the United States. Personally, I was told by a doctor at the VA Hospital in Saginaw Michigan, that I was not welcome there, as it was for "real veterans". So, I have never went back, nor do I ever intend to.