uscga badge
Search
Close this search box.
CAREERS

Live the Life You’re Meant to Live.
Be the Leader You’re Meant to Be.
Make the Difference You’re Meant to Make.

Home / Careers

Future Unlocked, Career Guaranteed

Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, you will go directly to an exciting and rewarding career as a Coast Guard officer—making a difference for people, the environment, and our country.

At graduation you will earn a degree—and a commission. Your commission signifies the President of the United States’ “special trust and confidence” in your ability to act on behalf of all Americans. You are a leader of character, a servant of the nation, and an unwavering defender of the Constitution.

You are more than a college graduate. You are ready to serve as a military officer in one of America’s—and the world’s—most important organizations. From there, you will be ready to embark on a successful career in a range of professional opportunities.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

CAREERS AND OUTCOMES

You’ll begin your career as an Ensign. You’ll make a difference every day serving your country, humanity and those in need.

Roles and Missions of the U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is unique among America’s military services. We are military – but we are also humanitarians. Built on a heritage of lifesaving, we protect those on the sea, we protect the nation against threats delivered by sea, and we protect the sea itself.

ADMIRAL LINDA FAGAN

HEARTBEAT OF THE SERVICE

“Tomorrow will look different – and so will we.”

I want to...

The Coast Guard is recognized as a leader in the field of search and rescue – on an average day, the Coast Guard saves 10 lives.
Whether a hurricane, flooding, oil spill or other disaster, the Coast Guard is ready to respond as the nation’s maritime first responder. The Coast Guard also renders aid to foreign nations struck by disaster.
The Coast Guard works with a variety of groups and organizations to ensure the livelihood of endangered marine species.
As a lead agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard is America’s shield of freedom, keeping America safe.
The Coast Guard works continuously with international, federal, state and local governments to detect, deter, and stop crime, terror, and violations of the law.
The Coast Guard is the nation’s first line of defense against drug smugglers seeking to bring illegal substances into the United States.
…against threats and disruption to critical infrastructure.
The Coast Guard provides training and information sharing to help developing countries establish and sustain maritime service capabilities.
As activity in the Arctic region continues to evolve and grow, the Coast Guard ensures the safety, security and stewardship of our nation’s arctic waters.
…the Coast Guard ensures freedom of navigation and the rule of law in arctic waters.
The Coast Guard experience is woven into the fabric of the sea – as an afloat officer in the Coast Guard, you lead in this vast realm.
CGA Badge
Links from these pages to non-Coast Guard sites are provided as a customer service and do not represent any implicit or explicit endorsement by the United States Coast Guard of any commercial or private issues or products presented there.