U.S. Coast Guard Seeks Independence to Fulfill Its Vital Duties

The US Coast Guard handles everything from drug busts in the Caribbean to Arctic sovereignty missions, but it's the only military branch without a dedicated civilian secretary to fight for its budget. With a $13.8 billion budget covering 95,000 miles of coastline and growing global responsibilities, the service is stretched thin and needs stronger political backing to secure the resources it desperately needs.

The Coast Guard's mission list keeps growing. The service protects 95,000 miles of American coastline and 3.4 million square nautical miles of US economic zones. But American maritime interests stretch far beyond US territory.

In the Arctic, melting ice opens new shipping routes and resource opportunities. Coast Guard crews enforce US sovereignty against Russian and Chinese encroachment in these waters. Down south, their heavy icebreakers cut through 10-foot-thick ice to resupply Antarctica's McMurdo Station, supporting American research under the Antarctic Treaty.

The nearby Caribbean demands constant attention. Coast Guard vessels intercept tons of drugs each year before they reach American streets. Back home, the service secures more than 300 US ports, inland waterways, and coastal entry points against terrorism and sabotage while deterring illegal immigration.

Add environmental protection, search and rescue operations, and navigation assistance to that list. The Coast Guard handles more diverse missions than any other military branch.

But resources aren't keeping up. Staff shortages leave Coast Guard stations understaffed, and recruitment targets consistently fall short. A $7 billion infrastructure backlog - up from $2.6 billion in 2019 - means facilities and equipment keep deteriorating.

Here's where it gets tricky. Unlike the Army or Navy, which have dedicated secretaries lobbying for extra funding, the Coast Guard commandant must compete within the Department of Homeland Security's $100 billion budget. Other priorities often win out.

The other military branches get cabinet-level advocates. The Coast Guard doesn't. This puts them at a real disadvantage when budget decisions get made.

A dedicated Coast Guard secretary could change this dynamic. This civilian official would coordinate between agencies and push for the long-term strategic reforms needed to fix systemic problems plaguing this under-resourced service.

Creating a Coast Guard secretary position would do more than just match what other military branches have. It would give the Coast Guard the political muscle it needs to secure proper funding.

The Coast Guard has always been efficient, delivering major impact for every dollar spent. But there are practical limits to what any organization can do with current resources when facing this scale of responsibilities.

With demand for Coast Guard services growing and a relatively small budget, the service operates at the edge of its financial capabilities. An independent Coast Guard department would strengthen its voice in congressional budget battles and within White House administration discussions, addressing chronic problems that unnecessarily restrict this vital service.