USCG Gunners Mate SWE Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

The commissioning of the 10 revenue cutters was authorized by Alexander Hamilton. In 1790, as the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton recognized the need for an effective maritime enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with tariff laws and to prevent smuggling, which was critical to the young nation's financial foundation. His advocacy for the revenue cutter service led to the establishment of the Revenue Cutter Service, which later became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. This initiative was significant because it marked the first organized naval force for the U.S., intended to protect the nation's economic interests and to enforce federal laws at sea. Hamilton’s vision played a crucial role in shaping the early framework of maritime enforcement in the United States.