Free Printables About the U.S. Coast Guard

Not many people know exactly what is the primary role of the United States Coast Guard (USCG/U.S. Coast Guard). As a Navy Vet, I may hate to admit it, but the Coast Guard is pretty impressive. Use these free printables about the U.S. Coast Guard to go alongside your lessons, to teach kids all about this maritime defense force.

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Here is a joke for you from the U.S. Coast Guard: When the Navy goes around a storm, We go in it!

Ha! Ha! Very funny, Coast Guard. I am a U.S. Navy Veteran, and I will just come out and say this. The Navy and Coast Guard have an ongoing friendly war of banter back and forth.

To find out some differences between the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, check out this article. They are biased towards the USCG; that is all I will say.

15 significant and surprising differences between the Navy and Coast Guard | We Are Mighty

If any of my Navy folks are reading this, I do not endorse the contents of this said article.

U.S. Coast Guard’s purpose:

USCG’s goal is to protect the American people, environment, industry, and security of the United States, whether in the seas, lakes, or rivers.

Many aren’t quite sure, but the USCG doesn’t just use boats and ships as a part of their mission. The Coast Guard also uses helicopters and airplanes to stop to keep us safe from smugglers, crimes, and terrorism. They also rescue ships and boats in danger in the seas.

This definition from the Go Coast Guard website sounds so much better:

We exist to defend and preserve the United States. We protect our people’s safety and security, the marine transportation system and infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; and the territorial integrity of our nation–from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made. We protect these interests in U.S. ports and inland waterways, along the coasts, on international waters.

Here are some facts about the United States Coast Guard to help your kids understand them better:

– The Coast Guard is actually NOT part of the Department of Defense with one exception – wartime.

-They are a part of the Department of Homeland Security/Defense.

-They are considered a military service because, during war or times of conflict, the President of the United States can call up and transfer the USCG to the United States Navy. This happens a lot. (We brag about them being our helpers, but that is neither here nor there.)

-The Coast Guard has approximately 40,000 active-duty men and women, 8,000 Reservists, and 35,000 Auxiliary personnel.

-Their rescue helicopters are orange.

I have to tell you these stats from Military.com. On an average day, the United States Coast Guard:

• Conducts 109 search and rescue cases
• Save 10 lives assist 192 people in distress (average)
• Protect $2,791,841 in property (Millions)
• Seize 169 pounds of marijuana and 306 pounds of cocaine worth $9,589,000
• Intercept 14 illegal migrants
• Board 100 large vessels for port safety checks
• Respond to 20 oil or hazardous chemical spills totaling 2,800 gallons
• Service 135 aids to navigation
• And yes, more…

Check out some more U.S. Coast guard facts at USCGBoating. They are fascinating.

Grab some free printables about the U.S. Coast Guard and military resources to share with your kids:

26 Movies for Kids Based on Wars and the Military

Learn About the Different Branches of the Military for Armed Forces Day

To explore more details, photos, and history of the United States Coast Guard to share with your kiddos visit United States Coast Guard facts for kids from Kids Kiddle.

Don’t miss this article from the Coast Guard around the world if you want to learn about the Coast Guard:

United States Coast Guard Academy Cadet Ranks | U.S. Military Forum

Mapping the way to equality Article (First African-American officer 1943) | Coast Guard Compass

Coast Guard FREE Coloring Book | Squarehead Teachers

The Official Coast Guard Coloring Book (FREE) | USCG.mil

FREE Coast Guard Logo Color Book Page | designer

About the Coastguard | Go Coast Guard

FREE Printable Military Anthems for Armed Forces Day | Flanders Family

Veterans Day FREEBIE | Little School on the Range

Thank You, Hero! (FREE Printables) | A Cupcake for the Teacher

FREE Armed Forces Printables | Happy & Blessed Home

Armed Forces FREE Coloring Pages | Raising Our Kids

Veterans Matching Game for Toddlers | Simple Fun For Kids

Veterans FREEBIE Pack! (Original Poem, Emergent Reader, & Response Pages) | Jessica Joseph Hawkins

Although there is a slight rivalry between the Navy and Coast Guard, we both understand each other’s purpose. I remember during Operation Desert Storm, the Coast Guard was called in to assist us at our naval base. That was pretty awesome, and exemplifies their motto:

Semper Paratus – a Latin phrase, meaning “Always Ready.”