3 Oct 2022

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The United States Coast Guard: Why Does the US Spend So Much on Defense?

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According to Pearson (2017), America’s security comprises of a complex system of government units that inhabit a distinctive mission that integrates impeccably and projects American authority globally. It is often the Navy and Marine Corps, the Army, the Air Force and a dichotomy of intelligence agencies that obtain extraordinary admiration and recognition as the country’s operative machinery. Frequently disregarded in the structural organization of America's national security is the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is the primary agency of protection for the country’s watercourses. Unlike the other military branches, Coast Guard’s financing is under the homeland security, instead of the Defense Department. Absence of the Coast Guard and reduced funding may lead to an increase in the nation’s susceptibilities. Therefore, increased funding for the agency is essential to suppress china's authority, a severe need for recapitalization and global security commitments. 

Increase Funding for the Coast Guard 

Increase in the funding of the American coast guard is attributed to various aspects. They include suppressing China's authority, the need for recapitalization and other global security commitments. 

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Suppressing China’s Authority 

China republic's growth stages a military obstacle, unlike other historic threats the United States has encountered ( Seth , 2020). Nazi and Imperial Germany conquered on terrestrial, with the former virtually dominant on European cape. However, none of them could defeat American and joint marine regulation, which seemed detrimental to their motivations. Eurasia's sources and populaces are accessible to China, together with a shoreline with numerous vital harbours. The financial development, expedited by submissive Western authorities, has permitted it to generate a blue-water merchant marine able to challenge the United States in specific situations, or overpowering regional associates. 

The United States overseas and defence strategy has started adapting to the novel tactical realism of developing a coast guard capable of defeating China. Most significantly, the Marine Corps intends to convert to a flexible, more changeable force which may tactically seize vital coastal regions. This can be achieved through long-range anti-ship weaponries to interrupt a Chinese attack. Noteworthy, also, is the Marines’ comprehension that America’s marine amenities should develop their capacity to supplement each other. In the next ten years, the United States Navy shall move from intense assault groups that permitted inland authority prognosis and towards a more disseminated, flexible power of various components. For instance, vessels and submarines intended to endure an initial Chinese assault, maintaining combat-capability, and implement the conventional naval operation of marine regulation. 

Excluding a remarkable and profoundly required increase in the defence budget, the United States navy is single-handedly inadequate to overthrow China. American vessels and submarines require onward overseas stations to re-supply throughout combats, and strong logistics backing to operate on land independently; American aircraft require hard-edged district landing strip to refill and reinforce. A Coast Guard devoid of adequate vessels cannot achieve crucial assignments, including the extra customary coast guard responsibilities of seafaring law execution or search and salvaging missions. Currently, the coast guard’s long-range cutters are reduced in the Pacific to merely six. Suppose the government through congress fails to increase its funding, it is likely to destabilize the Coast Guard’s operations in the Western Pacific and deteriorate the safety of the United States. 

The need for Recapitalization 

Increased funding is required as there is a prerequisite of recapitalization. There are two principal aspects of the Coast Guard that need better funding. They include icebreakers and reapers. The United States has tactical and financial appeals in the Arctic area, which is only accessible by using icebreakers. In the whole Arctic, it’s projected that 13% of oil assets and 30% of gas sources are still not discovered ( Inserra, 2020) . Icebreakers may be integrated locating these assets in United States-claimed Arctic water bodies, north of Alaska. 

Both Russia and China have enlarged their existence in their sections of the polar area. To safeguard the sovereignty and economic interests of the United States, the U.S. similarly ought to intensify its existence there. The United States only contains two icebreakers, which are considered as sub-standard.  The foremost is a heavyweight glacial icebreaker that is 40 years and continues having malfunctions. The other is a standard glacial icebreaker that is incapable of breaking beyond the dense Arctic Ice. 

The United States requires a navy of six first-hand polar-class icebreakers for four years within the Arctic. According to Johnson (2020) , a first-hand icebreaker is expected to arrive in 2023. Coast guard to accomplish its objectives in the polar area. The Legislature must contemplate on an acquisition of icebreakers in bulk to save more than $200 million, letting it to be extra effective with its restricted financing Johnson (2020) . It is in the most significant concern of the United States to offer the Coast Guard with in any case the slightest financial plan it needs to proficiently safeguard the security welfares in marine and sources in the polar area. Therefore, the government, through funding, invest in strengthening future security. 

Global Security Commitments 

The U.S has accords obliging it to the defence of approximately 51 countries across four regions. They include 28 pacts in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which comprises Canada and parts of Europe. The other entails eighteen in the Rio applicable to a host of nations in central and North America that applies to most of Central and South America. A consensual accord with Japan and South Korea. Besides the pact obligations, the United States likewise has close relations with, distinctive security appeals in nations with no official pacts. For instance, in Taiwan, despite recognizing that the island belongs to China, the U.S dissents hostile determination of the conflict amongst the nations of Taiwan and Beijing

The U.S. coast may in most cases, get involved in operations in unexpected zones such as war-torn Somalia. Assumed its logistical spread and multipurpose abilities, the coast guard is also seen to be tangled in benevolent acts. For instance, response to the tsunami and nuclear device mishap in Fukushima, Haiti earthquake relief, amongst others. Ultimately, there are far-reaching expectations that the United States coast guard will guarantee the free flow of maritime trade universally, as well as crucial obstruct zones. For instance, the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, and the Horn of Africa. 

According to Collins (2020), this extensive series of probable assignments also signifies that America should maintain a navy force prepared for all. Ranging from great-force state encounters to counterinsurgencies and law enforcement agencies. Its enemies, nonetheless, contain the indulgence of concentrating all their efforts on preparation, purchasing, policy, and resources on getting ready only to engage America in war. Therefore, it is imperative of the government to increase the funding of the coast guard to accomplish duties outside the country’s borders. 

A robust Coast Guard is in the United States significant interests. It is essential to accept the element that the Coast Guard is an army entity and must be financed like a military department. Every security commitment and expectation signifies that the U.S should be capable of projecting the force internationally. The nation also needs to suppress the Chinese authority on the coastline to safeguard its economic interests and maintain its powerhouse status. The Coast Guard shall maintain its provision of support for the defence department through patrol ships, law enforcement agencies and seafaring counter-terrorism retreat regulations. This is only achievable if the funding is increased by also considering that it is under the military. 

References 

Collins, P. (2020, January 27). Why Does the US Spend So Much on Defense? Defense One. https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/01/why-does-us-spend-so-much-defense/162657/. 

Inserra, D. (2020). Why U.S. Needs to Break the Ice on Coast Guard Funding . The Heritage Foundation. https://www.heritage.org/homeland-security/commentary/why-us-needs-break-the-ice-coast-guard-funding. 

Johnson, B. (2020, September 3). Coast Guard Budget Proposal Funds Second Icebreaker, Limits Fast Response Cutter Program . Homeland Security Today. https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/maritime-security/coast-guard-budget-proposal-funds-second-icebreaker-limits-fast-response-cutter-program/. 

Pearson, N. (2017, August 8). Commentary: US Coast Guard deserves military-level funding . https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/02/13/commentary-us-coast-guard-deserves-military-level-funding/

Seth Cropsey, opinion contributor. (2020, July 2). Cutting Coast Guard funds threatens our security, at home and in the Pacific . TheHill. https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/505383-cutting-coast-guard-funds-threatens-our-security-at-home-and-in-the. 

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StudyBounty. (2023, September 15). The United States Coast Guard: Why Does the US Spend So Much on Defense?.
https://studybounty.com/the-united-states-coast-guard-why-does-the-us-spend-so-much-on-defense-essay

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