Quote Originally Posted by Spoken Word
errr, correction...h4h cleared something up for me....the coast gaurd is part of the armed services. haha i was wondering what that acronym standed for. hmmmm i might join the coast gaurd, i have to look up info on them. sorry for the misunderstanding, steve.

so that's 5 branches of the military. what about the national gaurd?
THe National Guard is part of the Army Reserves.

FWIW, the US Coast Guard is the only military service that is a law enforcement agency, complete with powers of arrest.

I would highly recommend the Coast Guard for those looking to enlist, because they are very big on cross training. Because the CG is so small, everybody has to know everybody elses job in case they get hurt, or whatever. Any bonehead can join the Army or Marines....they are always looking for cannon fodder. And....no... the Coast Guard doesn't just stay around the US coast.