Coast Guard Officer Career Development

Legal
Like every other government agency and private corporation, the Coast Guard continually needs various legal services. In fact, since the Coast Guard is both a regulatory and law enforcement agency, its need for legal services is greater than most other government agencies.

Further, many Coast Guard programs and missions affect other nations' ships and people. The resulting interplay between domestic and international law adds a dimension to practicing Coast Guard law not present in agencies with a solely domestic focus. Since the

Service often responds to emergencies, its law specialists (attorneys) frequently provide immediate legal services in support of ongoing operations. The legal program also administers a specialized criminal law system based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Finally, due to frequent moves, Coast Guard personnel and their families must deal with multiple state laws and rules on taxation, voting rights, landlord-tenant disputes, etc. Through the Legal Assistance Program, which exists only in the Armed Forces, lawyers assist members in dealing with these issues.

Advanced Education and Specialization Opportunities
One law specialist each year may be selected to attend law school for an advanced degree (LLM), again with tuition paid by the Coast Guard. The area of study is announced before applications are due. Past areas of study have been environmental law and government contract law.

The Coast Guard Officer Career Guidebook contains a detailed list of Advanced Education Opportunities.