The Coast Guard Reserve is a flexible, responsive operational force that exists to support the Coast Guard roles of maritime homeland security, national defense (domestic and expeditionary), and domestic disaster operations.

The Coast Guard depends on the Reserve force to be always ready to mobilize with critical competencies in boat operations, contingency planning and response, expeditionary warfare, marine safety, port security, law enforcement and mission support.

Reservists obtain and maintain proficiency and readiness through a combination of training and augmentation. Commanders, commanding officers and officers-in-charge shall ensure Reservists under their authority receive appropriate training and augmentation opportunities and administrative support. By doing so, Reserve forces will achieve mobilization readiness, while providing increased capacity to the local command. Individual Reservists shall obtain and maintain the skills and personal readiness required to mobilize.