Every year on August 4th, the United States Coast Guard celebrates its birthday to commemorate the authorization by Congress allowing for Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to construct a system of ten cutters for the enforcement of U.S. customs laws on the high seas, a service that became known as the Revenue Marine.
Today, the United States Coast Guard, one of the five armed forces of the United States and the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security, is an adaptable, responsive military force of maritime professionals whose broad legal authorities, capable assets, geographic diversity and expansive partnerships provide a persistent presence along the rivers, ports and littoral regions of the United States of America and on the high seas.
As of 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard included over 43,000 active duty members, over 8,000 reservists, over 8,800 civilian employees, and over 30,000 volunteer auxiliarists who serve to uphold the motto, Semper Paratus, or “always ready”.
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