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Questions and Answers
What does the motto 'Semper Paratus' mean?
Which branch of the military is the Coast Guard part of?
What is a primary duty of the Coast Guard?
How long is the basic training for Coast Guard recruits?
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What type of skills are heavily emphasized in the training of Coast Guard recruits?
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What is the primary purpose of The Helmsman for recruits?
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What must officers in the U.S. Coast Guard have before attending Officer Candidate School (OCS)?
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Which of the following types of vessels is classified as a cutter?
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What is the highest rank a Coast Guard officer can achieve?
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What distinguishes a motor lifeboat from other Coast Guard vessels?
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What primary role do rescue swimmers serve in the U.S. Coast Guard?
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What is a required skill for trainees wanting to become rescue swimmers?
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Why do Coast Guard members carry various weapons?
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Where do trainees learn first aid as part of their preparation?
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What aspect of training challenges rescue swimmer trainees the most?
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What essential equipment do rescue swimmers wear to help them stay warm and dry?
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What purpose do harnesses serve for rescue swimmers?
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What is a significant risk faced by rescue swimmers when responding to a call?
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What training is crucial for rescue swimmers to handle emergency situations effectively?
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What can happen when rescue swimmers jump into the water from a height of more than 30 feet?
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Study Notes
Coast Guard Overview
- Founded in 1790, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Headquarters located in Washington, D.C.
- Responsible for U.S. border defense, port security, and stopping illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
- Engages in ocean rescues and protects against attacks on U.S. ports.
- Motto: Semper Paratus, meaning "always ready" in Latin.
Training
- Recruits undergo eight weeks of basic training at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey.
- Training includes physical conditioning, rescue techniques, and coastline policing.
- Recruits are organized into companies of 50 to 60 members, supervised by company commanders.
- Daily schedule starts around 5:30 a.m. with physical workouts, swimming drills, and classes.
- Key classes cover Coast Guard history, navigation, firefighting, first aid, and nautical terminology.
- Passing a written test on The Helmsman is required for graduation; this book covers nautical terms and officer ranks.
- Recruits are also instructed in firearms use to prepare for potential encounters with armed criminals.
- Graduation marks transition to "Guardian," with options for immediate work or advanced training.
Ranks
- Coast Guard members hold specific ranks, with enlisted members under officers.
- Officers require a college degree and attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut.
- OCS prepares officers for advanced leadership and technical roles.
- The highest possible rank for an officer is Admiral.
Vehicles
- Ships, primarily cutters longer than 65 feet, are crucial for Coast Guard operations.
- Icebreakers, the largest cutters, facilitate navigation through icy waters.
- Smaller cutters patrol coastlines; vessels under 65 feet are known simply as boats.
- Aircraft play a vital role, with HC-130 Hercules planes for wide searches and HH-65C Dolphin helicopters for rescues.
- The MH-68A Stingray is armed and used for law enforcement.
Equipment
- Essential equipment includes life vests, life rafts, and radios for communication.
- Members may carry pistols, rifles, and shotguns, often using non-lethal ammunition for apprehensions.
Rescue Swimmers
- Approximately 300 rescue swimmers serve within the Coast Guard, specializing in high-risk rescues at sea and in extreme conditions.
- Training includes rigorous physical tests to develop swimming and jump proficiency from helicopters.
- Graduates must complete emergency medical technician (EMT) training for medical care during rescues.
- Spends five days at Advanced Helicopter Rescue School for hands-on training and survival tactics in adverse conditions.
- Swimmers often rescue pilots from downed aircraft and must quickly untangle parachute lines.
- Equipped with dry suits, fins, masks, and harnesses for efficient rescue operations.
- Face significant risks during rescues, including potential injury from falls and drowning victims' panic.
- Training conditions simulate extreme environments to prepare swimmers for real situations.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the US Coast Guard, its history, and its role in national security. This quiz covers the establishment, responsibilities, and functions of the Coast Guard since its founding in 1790. Perfect for anyone interested in military history and homeland security.
