,,,,

[RickD427]

drider,

I retired after 24 years in the CG. It was one of the best decisions that I ever made. No organization is perfect, but the CG is definately worth your time and commitment. It will provide you with experiences that few other organizations can match. That comes at a price. The living conditions are not always the best, but the people are the best, and the missions that you undertake have great value.

I would caution you about entering as an officer. The living conditions, and pay, of an officer are far superior to those of enlisted members. The services are driven by tradition and the officer-enlisted disparity is really a throwback to the last century. The missions of the Coast Guard are primarily performed by its enlisted members and that's where the majority of our operational skill is. Officers pretty much administer the organization. The only real skill areas for officers are ship driving and aviation. There's pretty universal opinion that the best officers are those that spent several years as enlisted members and then went to OCS ("Mustangs"). They mastered a skill before commissioning and they gain a lot of leadership experience before putting on the bars. That really makes a difference. If you're looking for a career, that's really important.

[MIL-MH65]

I'm currently in the Coast Guard -19-years. The best advice I can give you is go visit a Coast Guard Unit. They will be more than happy to show you around, call first, tell them what's up and go from there. Our missions are vast and wide; Search Rescue (SAR), Home Land Security (LE), Environmental Regulation (Gulf Coast Clean-up) and my favorite Counter Drugs Operations (CDO). You can find yourself easily performing all four mission in one year. You never know whats coming down the road. It has it's good points and bad points, more good than bad. Me-I served 4 years in the Army (DS- vet) then transferred to the CG (aviation side of the house-AET(65's, HC130's, Desk) and have loved it. Please understand it's not the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. We are a little bit of each and work with allot of other government agency's,NOAA, CBP, FEMA, FBI etc...You are about to give up 4+ years of you're life, research the Coast Guard and take your time. If going Officer, contact and Officer and ask him about his job, going enlisted find a rate and contact somebody in that rate. You may have to call around, but it's worth every penny (trust me). A good resource is www.fredsplace.org, it's the primary website for CG members to talk-offline. Take your time with the decision.

Good Luck.


To CWUSCG- Stay Safe and have good trip!


edit: Forgot about this..If you get stationed in Kodiak AK, and you can own any darn gun you want...plus ccw, (but it's Kodiak, AK).....
Back to my gun research, S&W MP 40/45 or Springfield XD 40/45 , 4 different guns and I can't make up my mind......Later.

[Foriegn power]

I'm going to call about the Coast guard Reserves.

[cgseanp1]

I just noticed you messaged me a few days ago, sorry I didn't respond sooner. Anyways, regarding my experiences in the CG.. This November I'll hit 8 years. I'm a First Class Petty Officer (E-6). After bootcamp, I went to the CGC Sherman out of Alameda. I was there for about 6-7 months, then I went to Operations Specialist "A" school. After I graduated, I went to the CGC Hamilton out of San Diego. I did a full tour there, and then I transferred to CG Sector San Diego, and have been there since 2006. I am transferring next month to the CG Training Center in Petaluma to be an instructor. So, the first 12 years (assuming I do 4 at my next unit) of my career will have been in CA.

I'm not sure about the whole officer vs enlisted thing. I know a few prior enlisted officers who are not fond of there jobs as officers, but they do like the extra pay.

I'm curious, did the recruiter mention anything about wait times for boot camp? Our budget was cut, at least the proposed budget was cut, so they are calling for a downsizing of around 1100 members. It doesn't sound like a lot, but the CG is the smallest service with only around 40k members. I noticed somebody above mentioned you can "strike", which is on the job training instead of going to school. They recently did away with most (maybe all) of the striking programs. I'm sure this is do to the budget and downsizing.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[VictorFranko]

Im a guardian.

A "Guardian"?
In my day we called ourselves "Coasties".
Please don't ever refer to me as an ex-Guardian.

[Foriegn power]

Okay I apologize for my short responses, the past couple of days I have spoken with my family members and friends and they seem neutral about my choice if/ when I join the coast guard upon graduation. Since my plan was to join a police reserves, the coast guard caught my attention since there is pay etc. But I'll have to call the recruiter again to ask more detail questions and possible turn in my application. Lastly, about the reserves is there any Law Enforcement related positions for reserves?

[RANDO]

I always hated hearing coastie, but guardian that's the gayest term yet. I just say, "I am in the Coast Guard". if youre graduating college go into an officer program you'll kick yourself in the *** after 7 years every couple weeks when you get your LES

[CWUSCG]

Okay I apologize for my short responses, the past couple of days I have spoken with my family members and friends and they seem neutral about my choice if/ when I join the coast guard upon graduation. Since my plan was to join a police reserves, the coast guard caught my attention since there is pay etc. But I'll have to call the recruiter again to ask more detail questions and possible turn in my application. Lastly, about the reserves is there any Law Enforcement related positions for reserves?

There was PS. Port Security specialist. The CG did away with that rate when they implemented M.E back in febuary.

To VictorFranko: Weather we're called Coasties, Guardian....Whatever. We're all Shipmates.

[CGDC]

[QUOTE=CWUSCG;4526326]There was PS. Port Security specialist. The CG did away with that rate when they implemented M.E back in febuary. QUOTE]

CWUSCG: They may have gotten rid of the PS rating, but it was a reserve only rate if I remember correctly.

[Cybnew]

I enlisted recently, just waiting to go to Cape May

[CGDC]

I enlisted recently, just waiting to go to Cape May

Welcome

[CWUSCG]

I enlisted recently, just waiting to go to Cape May

Welcome aboard! Enjoy your stay at Cape May and the famous Cape May Crud. Embrace the suck.

[Cybnew]

Welcome aboard! Enjoy your stay at Cape May and the famous Cape May Crud. Embrace the suck.

Lookin forward too it

[ankyle62]

Anyone have anything negative to say about their officer program? I already did 5 years enlisted in the Marine Corps. I have about two more years left of school, maybe more. I would love to get into a flight program if i get my eye surgery done, or into a law enforcement type gig(not sure what there is for officers).

[RickD427]