On Aug. 4, the U.S. celebrates its U.S. Coast Guards with their own special day. While the Coast Guard still participates in Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week, unlike any other military branch, they have their own individual day to commemorate the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard as the Revenue Marine in 1790.
A unique branch of the military, U.S. Coast Guards are tasked with an array of maritime duties, including ensuring safe and lawful commerce and performing rescue missions in severe conditions. Other Coast Guard missions include port and waterway security, drug interdiction, aids to navigation, search and rescue, living marine resources, safety and protection, law enforcement and migrant interdiction.
“To be in the [U.S.] Coast Guard is one of the most rewarding jobs one can be in. Every aspect of the job to me is exciting; from something as small as helping troubleshoot engines on our response boats to something as big as responding to a Search and Rescue (SAR) call. I am supporting the mission with every contribution I make, and in turn, supporting the local community by ensuring we are mission capable to keep our waters safe. And the prospect that I can go to “A” school, learn a specialty, and pursue a career of my choice is an exciting opportunity that motivates me to push for 20 years or more in service,” said Rolando Bolanos, an NSU alumnus who is a U.S. Coast Guardsman.
Historically, Coast Guard Day is a day for active duty and reserve Coast Guardsmen, civilian employees, retirees, auxiliarists, dependents and more. Across the U.S., Coast Guard units usually have picnics and informal sport competitions together with family and friends. In previous years, Grand Haven, Michigan has even sponsored the annual Coast Guard Festival the week of Aug. 4.
“The Coast Guard upholds three core values: honor, respect and devotion to duty. These principles are carried from the moment we step foot into the recruitment office [until] the end of our enlistment and onwards… The importance of being a Coast Guardsman is to uphold those core values in everything that you do, whether in uniform or not. It’s a testament to your character, the pride of service and the absolute dedication to your job. What we do is extremely important and we want our communities, and the nation as a whole, to know that they can always rely on the Coast Guard to be ready for the call,” said Bolanos.
To become a U.S. Coast Guardsman, your journey starts at the recruitment office. However, you should first do your research on what job you would like to go into and how long you want your enlistment to last. Once you’ve done that, you must begin preparing physically, mentally and emotionally for bootcamp. While this period can be very challenging, it is important not to lose sight of your goal.
“[Bootcamp] is challenging; you will be pushed to your limits and being unable to communicate with your families and friends may prove just how strenuous training may be, but it’s true what
they all say: ‘It’s just eight weeks.’ Never lose sight [of] what you want to accomplish in the Coast Guard, always strive to go beyond the call of duty, have integrity, and always keep pushing… Being an alumnus of NSU, I want to give a special thank you to the NSU Office of Student Media, the NSU Veterans Resource Center and the NSU Department of Writing and Communication for encouraging me to pursue this career in the U.S. Coast Guard. I hope to make you proud in everything that I do and I will never forget the impact you have all made in my life. For those who do have an interest in joining a military branch, I couldn’t recommend the Coast Guard enough for all the incredible opportunities and benefits that are available to you. We are an amazing family and welcome all who are determined to succeed, serve their country and who will never give up,” said Bolanos.
