Research for Rapid Deployment Forces

This analysis is intended to support Coast Guard development of a capstone publication that articulates a vision of the Coast Guard of 2020. We present our supporting analysis in the following three sections. In section 2, we describe our view of the purpose and enduring characteristics of the Coast Guard, a sea-going armed service within the Department of Transportation. We believe that any vision of the Coast Guard's future must be consistent with its purpose and enduring characteristics. In section 3, we describe how existing Coast Guard missions will be transformed as the Coast Guard moves into the 21st century. In section 4, we describe alternative plans for the Coast Guard to consider in developing its vision. See also CAB 96-96, CIM 499, and CRM 97-17.