The Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman
I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman. I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world. I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged. I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders. I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share. I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties. I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems. I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others. I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live. I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril. With God's help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest works—A UNITED STATES COAST GUARDSMAN.
What it actually means
The oldest creed on this list, and it reads like it — more formal, more nautical. It captures the Coast Guard’s split personality perfectly in one line: "I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril." That is the service in a sentence — armed force and lifesaver at once. "Bring to my seniors solutions, not problems" is the line current Coasties still quote.
Where it came from
Written in 1938 by Vice Admiral Harry G. Hamlet, a former Commandant of the Coast Guard. It predates every other creed here by decades, which is why its language is older and more literary.
U.S. Coast Guard (VADM Harry G. Hamlet, 1938) — reference