The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the United States military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters and a federal regulatory agency mission as part of its duties. It is the largest coast guard in the world, rivaling the capabilities and size of most navies. The USCG is responsible for protecting the United States' borders and economic and security interests abroad, defending its sovereignty by safeguarding sea lines of communication and commerce across U.S. territorial waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone, and enforcing maritime laws. The USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and can be transferred to the U.S. Department of the Navy during times of war.