United States Coast Guard Reserve 

The crossed anchors supporting the shield are adapted from the United States Coast Guard’s symbol.  The colors dark blue, scarlet, and white are traditional colors of the organization while gold is emblematic of achievement and excellence.  

The sword symbolizes defense & the organizations’ military heritage.  The motto PROFESSIONALISM, PATRIOTISM, PREPAREDNESS embodies the Coast Guard Reserve’s national security mission.  The round shape of the motto scroll alludes to a life preserver and represents the Coast Guard Reserve’s peacetime mission to help others.

Commandant's Reserve POLICY STATEMENT

America’s Coast Guard is a unique instrument of national security and a key component of this nation’s emergency response apparatus.  The Coast Guard Reserve significantly enhances the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to all threats and all hazards.  

Accomplishing this in today’s dynamic operating environment requires the full participation of every Coast Guard member, particularly the dedicated men and women of the Coast Guard Reserve.  A trained and ready Reserve force, backed by a robust Reserve Component mission support system, is essential to our ability to respond to acts of terrorism, disasters or other contingencies within the maritime domain.  Accordingly, the Coast Guard Reserve must embody the competencies necessary to perform three functions:

• Maritime Homeland Security;

• Domestic and expeditionary support to National Defense; and,

• Response to domestic disasters, both natural and man-made.

Success in these three functional areas demands a Reserve force that remains ready for mobilization at any time.  Training, including drills and two weeks of annual active duty, must focus on building and honing the skills and knowledge required to mobilize quickly and execute missions effectively.  Because of their full integration into many shore-based units, reservists are available to augment active duty forces for the full continuum of daily Coast Guard missions as they train and prepare for future mobilization.  Employment of Coast Guard Reserve forces  in routine operations, therefore, must always reflect a relentless pursuit of mobilization readiness.

I expect every commander, commanding officer, officer-in-charge and program to provide the leadership and training necessary for those Reserve members assigned to them to be ready for mobilization.  I also expect all reservists to devote themselves to acquiring and maintaining the skills and personal readiness that is required to support their mobilization when necessary.  Through unity of effort, we will fulfill our strategic intent to maintain a flexible, responsive Coast Guard Reserve that constitutes a powerful force multiplier for securing and defending America at home and abroad.

Thad W. Allen

Admiral, United States Coast Guard

printable .pdf

History of the Coast Guard Reserve 

Director of Reserve and Training

The Reservist

MCPO-CGRF

Coast Guard Magazine

Chief, Office of Reserve Affairs

Evening Colors

Deputy Commanders for Mobilization & Reserve Affairs
 - Atlantic Area
 - Pacific Area

Coast Guard Proceedings

CG Flag/SES Bios