U.S.C.G. Publication 3 Operations

The Coast Guard’s value to the nation resides in our proven ability to accomplish the mission in the maritime domain, whether through saving lives, protecting the marine environment, or defending our country. Our unique authorities, capabilities, competencies, and partnerships as a military, law enforcement, regulatory, and humanitarian Service are central to that value proposition. We are recognized worldwide for our ability to execute these diverse maritime missions over vast geographic areas and under the most challenging and demanding conditions.

Publication 3-0 provides the enduring guidance for Coast Guard operations: how and why we do what we do. This guidance is based on over two centuries of Coast Guard experience in maritime operations and the principles of operations provided in Publication 1-0.

Two fundamental elements to operations warrant special emphasis: leadership and proficiency. We rely on leadership at every level of command to conduct operations safely and effectively in an inherently dangerous maritime environment. We rely on proficiency in the operational arts of our profession—seamanship, airmanship, law enforcement, joint military and interagency operations. And operations rely on proficiency in mission support and other key enabling disciplines. 

Download a copy of the Coast Guard Publication 3-0(CG Pub 3), Operations Guide.