Posted on 10/23/2005 5:16:04 PM PDT by Incorrigible
You know reminded me of another little known fact about the Coast Guard. That it is the single most powerful Law Enforcement Agency that exists in the U.S. The Coast Guard is the only agency that has the codified right to enforce any other Federal L.E. Agency laws on the navigable waters of the U.S. They can put on Customs and Border Patrol's hats and enforce their laws.
I was joining the Police Officers motorcycle riding association called the "Blue Knights" some years ago. They said you Coasties don't have the ability to arrest, and you are not sworn. I took them a copy of the Coast Guard Statues. The response I got was holy shyte, you folks have more power then we do, where do I sign up. Needless to say, I was permitted to join.
If a Coast Guard Petty Officer or an officer is killed in the U.S., the F.B.I. investigates the killing. Admittedly, the Coast Guard rarely choses to exercise those laws, mostly out of concern of being challenged, or sued. Once again lawyers strike fear into the hearts of the right doers.
Yeah, they deserve better treatment, and bit more respect. Not just glorified life guards, or waterbound tow truck operators. /sarcasm off.
True, as long as the little pennant is flying above the USCG ensign.
You know, you are right, always thought that was perfectly good use for Ensigns. Run them up the halyards. The are not much use for the year they around. /sarcasm off
LOL. Sea Brats. At least they stick around to help put away the P250's and hoses after training, unlike the reservists.
Uffda! Yeah, my first Cutter was the USCGC Unimak, when she was a Reserve Training Ship in Cape May. Now there is another example of modern Coast Guard equipment. A forty something Navy Seaplane Tender that was handed to down to the poor step-child from the Navy. They kept her around for nearly another 20 years before Gilette got her. I remember the reserves. Hey, this is my two weeks active duty cruise. I am just here to have fun. You want me to work? Things have changed a lot now though. The reserves are an important part of the Coast Guard anti-terrorist work on the weekends. Gives the regulars some time off. So now their work week is "only" eighty hours.
You're right about that L.E. authority... and yes, it extends to any petty officer (E-4) and above. Pretty cool, huh? The trick is not to abuse the power. That way they don't lose it.
Polar Sea and Resolute here, 85-89. Got out as a QM2. Those were good times.
I loved it, would have stayed in forever. Warrants have to retire on 30.
I was a range instructor at Cape May.
USCGC Unimak
COTP New Orleans
USCGC Durable
USCGC Dallas
Instructor at GM School
MSO San Francisco
MSO LA/LB 8 years at one unit.
MSD Santa Barbara
Retired
Normal people prioritize their budgets; if the Bush Administration can't do this, there's a bigger problem than worn-out Zodiacs.
Excellent. There are days when I wish I'd stayed in and done the lifer thing. Lots of those days.
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