I like the civilians who, upon learning that I was a Coastie, would make the comment, "So y'all guard the coast of the USA".

Yeah Right!!!!!! and all of the Carribbean, Mediteranean, North & South Atlantic, the Artic & Anarctica, North & South Pacific, Indian Ocean, including the Persian Gulf!!!!

Remember the OLD theme song sung by the Vietnam Vets:

Semper Paratus is a laugh,
We joined to avoid the draft,
The only shores that we will guard,
Are the shores that have our w****s,

etc, etc!!!!