Questions and Answers
What is the highest rank a Coast Guard officer can earn?
All Coast Guard members are officers.
False
What must recruits pass to graduate from basic training?
Written test, physical test, and swimming test
Coast Guard ships longer than 65 feet are called __________.
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Match the following Coast Guard vehicles with their descriptions:
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What do Coast Guard officers need to have before entering Officer Candidate School?
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All recruits go directly to work after graduation.
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What is the main purpose of the book The Helmsman for recruits?
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What type of aircraft is used by the Coast Guard to search for lost ships?
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Rescue swimmers primarily perform their duties in calm seas.
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How many rescue swimmers are there approximately in the U.S. Coast Guard?
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Coast Guard members often use _______ to enforce laws.
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Match the following training locations with their purposes:
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What kind of ammunition do Coast Guard members often use?
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What is one type of rescue swimmers must be an expert in?
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Only about half of all rescue swimmer trainees graduate.
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In which year was the Coast Guard founded?
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The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Defense.
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What does the Coast Guard's motto 'Semper Paratus' mean?
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Coast Guard recruits begin their training in ______ at the Coast Guard Training Center.
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What is one of the main duties of Coast Guard members?
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Match the following training activities with their descriptions:
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Recruits in the Coast Guard undergo an initial training period of eight weeks.
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What are the two main jobs of a company commander during Coast Guard basic training?
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What do rescue swimmers wear to keep warm and dry?
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Rescue swimmers do not require any special equipment when responding to a rescue call.
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What must rescue swimmers avoid during their operations?
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Rescue swimmers can jump more than _____ feet to reach the water.
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Match the following equipment with its purpose for rescue swimmers:
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What is a potential risk faced by rescue swimmers while rescuing drowning victims?
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Study Notes
Coast Guard Overview
- The Coast Guard, founded in 1790, is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Key mission: defend U.S. borders by preventing illegal entry and protecting ports from attacks.
- Uses ships and boats to monitor coastal areas, apprehend drug runners, and conduct ocean rescues.
- Motto: "Semper Paratus," meaning “always ready” in Latin.
Training Process
- Recruits undergo eight weeks of basic training at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey.
- Training includes physical drills, rescue operations, and dealing with drug smuggling and terror threats.
- Recruits form companies of 50 to 60 members, overseen by a company commander, focusing on teamwork and obedience.
- Daily routines include morning workouts starting at 5:30 a.m. and water survival skills training.
- Academic courses cover Coast Guard history, navigation, rope work, firefighting techniques, and first aid.
- Essential study material includes "The Helmsman," which recruits must test on to graduate.
- Graduates become Guardians, with options to start work immediately or attend Coast Guard schools for specialized training.
Ranks and Leadership
- Coast Guard members hold ranks, with most being enlisted personnel and officers leading them.
- Officers must possess a college degree, completing training at Officer Candidate School (OCS) to gain leadership skills.
- The highest rank within the Coast Guard for officers is Admiral.
Coast Guard Vehicles
- Primary vessels include cutters (over 65 feet, designed for extended missions and crew living) and boats (under 65 feet, closer to shore).
- Types of ships: icebreakers, patrol cutters, port security boats, and motor lifeboats.
- Aircraft support includes the HC-130 Hercules for wide area searches and HH-65C Dolphin helicopters for rescues, equipped with harnesses for lifting individuals.
Essential Equipment
- Coast Guard members utilize life vests, life rafts, radios for communication, and various firearms for law enforcement.
- Nonlethal ammunition is mostly used for capturing criminals, ensuring safety during enforcement operations.
Rescue Swimmers
- Approximately 300 rescue swimmers operate within the Coast Guard, specializing in high-risk rescues during severe weather.
- Trainees visit the Aviation Technical Training Center in North Carolina and must pass rigorous fitness tests.
- Skills developed include helicopter jumps, swimmer expertise, and EMT-level first aid training.
- Intensive training includes five days at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School, preparing them for extreme conditions.
- Rescue swimmers face violent seas, must detach pilots from parachute lines, and utilize equipment like dry suits, fins, and harnesses during operations.
- Jump heights can exceed 30 feet, where injuries can occur, highlighting the dangers involved in their life-saving work.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of the Coast Guard, including its history, missions, and training regimen. It delves into the organization's founding, key operations, and the rigorous training new recruits undergo. Perfect for anyone interested in U.S. maritime security and military training.