The United States Merchant Marine-Past and Present Status. Article notes the vital role played in the protection and safety issue in both war and peace for the United States. An interesting read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Merchant_Marine

My mother's boyfriend was in the Merchant Marine during WWII. He is/was British. The folks in the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard as still part of the forces, just like the reserves, as far as I'm concerned. Thanks Df.