This is my uniform. As a civilian in the U.S. Coast Guard, I provide essential services in diverse business and technical fields while enjoying superior workplace training and excellent federal benefits. You don't have to enlist to join the U.S. Coast Guard. In fact, a large number of our most important roles are not military or seagoing in nature. They are staffed by civilians; over 7,000 of them and growing, in over 100 locations across the country.