When Does the Coast Guardâ??s Flag Come Forward?

<p>The United States Coast Guard has strong historical ties to the Navy. Having participated in most of the nation's armed conflicts the Coast Guard has clearly demonstrated its value as a naval force. Numerous times during the previous two hundred years however this ability viewed by some as redundant has led to inquiries as to the suitability of disbanding the small service or having the Navy absorb it. Consistently preventing this was the fact the role as a naval force was only one of the numerous functions the Coast Guard performed. Many of these other missions especially those involving law enforcement could not be undertaken by any other service because of what is commonly known as the Posse Comitatus Act. This has had great significance in the aftermath of 9/11. With the formation of the Department of Homeland Security the Coast Guard has been given the lead role in the maritime realm of preventing terrorist attacks and reducing vulnerabilities. Maybe now is the time for the Coast Guard to step out of the larger service's shadow and end the two-century-old struggle for parity with the Navy by concentrating on being what it really is...the world's best coast guard.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>