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LipTrev t1_iwexli1 wrote

"civilian" should be in quotes to a greater or lesser degree

They are deployed, they have restrictions on movement, are under secrets acts, etc.

Interesting note: only US citizens can become US Coast Guard certified Captains (of inspected vessels; aka COI vessels) because just as all US flagged airplanes can be pressed into military service, so can all COI vessels and their Captains.

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p38-lightning OP t1_iwfbs9i wrote

They were a lot like the women WASP pilots - deployments, risks, and restrictions but no military benefits.

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AmishRocket t1_iwfcs1q wrote

Captured merchant marines in the Pacific were placed in Japanese POW camps and hell ships, just as members of the military.

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