hey im 16 and still trying to find out what i want to do with my life. i have been throwing around diffrent job ideas but this one sounded cool and packed with stuff to do and be outside. so i was seeing if anyone is in or has been in the coastguard adn tell me about it thanks

 

I know captchas was in the Coast Guard - I am sure he will post up about it

 

the CG was sometyhing I was alweays interested in, If I would serve, thats how i'd do it.

 

I was in the USCG from 1971 to 1975. I learned my trade as a diesel mechanic. I did all of my service domesticly. I would recommend it to anyone. They are into alot more law enforcement now than they were when I was in. We mostly did aid to navigation and search and rescue, whhich they still do a lot of.

 

i started out in the navy at 17 did 4 years and transfered to the coast guard reserve . the next 20 where the best years of my life. and truthfully the most rewarding. as far a full time active i going to email cheif reid in here for you and ask him to help out better as he was a full timer of the same rank as me.

what i will say is kep your grades up as high as possible and under stand for the coast gaurd you most have a h.s.dep. and be 18 to get in.
training can be hard and i do mean hard esp. in boot camp then it will be the best you can get any where. i checked and see your in KY so that means you should do boot camp will be cape may NJ.

 

I can here them training from my house,sometimes there out there late at night to the wee hrs in the morning.I know alot of CG and all of them always have more positive things to say about it then other people I know in other branches of the military.My neighbor spent four yrs on the USS Dependable and was always in the news paper.On your down time you were alowed to BBQ and fish while on board.

 

so tell me more about the boot camp, is it as hard as the other military camps? how much is the pay and what sign on bonus's do you get etc. i mnight be going to see a recruiter this week to get more information. What questions should i ask?

 

boot camp is boot camp. it's where they brake you or make you. so the more fit you are the better. it's 13 weeks of hell. then unto the best training any one can get any where.

yes they are now more into law in forcement then some of us had way back. they have there own swat type teams and much more that can help any one get into law enforcement when out. the big fun is on a cutter doing drug law enforcment and shooting out the motors of drug running boats in the carabein sea.

yes it is the safest and best branch right now next to the marines of course just those men are a special speacial bred . safety wise we do have men in iraq but since the war started lost only man . against how many from the other branches .

like the navy if your on a cutter it's clean sheets and good meals every day. heck thats every post in the guard .



i sent a email to cheifgreid here in fte and hope he pops in to help you out even better.

 

Any branch of the Armed forces would be a great experience. What exactly attracts you to the Coast Guard?


(Navy veteran, 84-88)

 

I would explore all of your options. Look into every branch and weigh out the pro's and con's of them all. I am partial to the Navy because I have been in for 9 years, and to me, its a lifestyle I love. I have heard that with the USCG, their boot camp is the toughest next to the Corps. And like Captchas said, get into tip top shape so that it doesnt kick your butt!
One really nice thing with going into the service is when you come home on leave and knowing you have done something while you look at many of your friends who are most likely still in the same small town, smoking dope and talking about how they just got a promotion to head stocker at the local Walmart. Good luck!

Mike
AM2, US Navy

 

JOIN THE NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

i just had to say it.

 

Hey there BigExpo.

From my experience - this is what I would recommend.

First. Talk to all of the services and do some research as to their requirements, jobs and service functions.

Second. I would encourage you to visit, if possible either a Cutter or a SAR (Search and Rescue Station) and talk to the guys and galls that are stationed there. There should not be any problem getting a short tour of the station or ship.

Third. Sit down and talk with a Coast Guard Recruiter. You are going to have to sell yourself to him/her. No service wants "just warm bodies". The Coast Guard does have a waiting list - and last I heard (and when I was a Recruiter in the mid 80's), they don't work on a quota system. Be prepared to travel to see them - as Recruiters are sometimes widely spaced out. In my case I had to travel 80 miles or so - one way.

Ultimately you will have to make a decision as to which service (if any) you chose to join. That said - since it is an all volunteer force - DON'T sign an Enlistment Contract until you have made the decision that it is best for YOU. Forget about signing bonuses.

You will take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational and Aptitude Battery) tests - and the last I knew, you need as a High School Graduate - a 40 AFQT score. You will process through the Recruiter, but physicals and ASVAB tests are done at MEPS. Department of Defense Military Entrance Processing Stations.

Graduation from High School is a must! So study! In this case - as with all the services, it may well determine which job specialties (Ratings) you are eligible for training in.

You must be within weight standards, be physically, mentally and dental fit and a clean police record. The background investigations will include juvenile records. Even a Juvenile record will disqualify you if you lie about arrest records. Be honest. There are some situations where a Waiver can be granted for those who are exceptional applicants, but it is not a right. The Recruiter will have to fight for a Waiver. Remember that the Coast Guard in addition to other major functions, is a Federal Law Enforcement Agency and by Federal statute, an E-4 (Petty Officer Third Class - regardless of their rating (job specialty) can enforce Federal Law. Do a Google Search for 14 USC 89. Coast Guard Officers and Petty Officers and responsible for enforcement of ALL federal laws.

As I am sure you can understand, it's not all fun and Adrenalin. There is allot of hard dirty work that needs to be done. That will include your share of cleaning heads (bathrooms), painting, scraping and every dirty job you can think of - and some you have not thought of! Training is constant, but it's geared toward service missions which include SAR, Law Enforcement, Aids to Navigation (buoys, lighthouses, other navigational aids - including electronic LORAN C), National Defense, Immigration (falls under Law Enforcement), Environmental Protection, Fisheries, Enforcement of Customs Laws,

The pay, benefits and basic G.I. Bill are all the same, with the rank structure similar in most respects to the Navy, as the Coast Guard is a sea going service. That said, and with the smaller services comes the need to combine some of the job specialties in one. So, if you are a Machinery Technician (like my daughter), you can expect to work on small engines like outboards, to pumps, hydraulic systems, large diesel engines (like those exactly found in locomotives - but adapted for marine use) and ships gas turbines (jet engines on ships). Basically, if it's mechanical - they fix it. That said, there are duty stations in various places throughout the world. The Coast Guard consists of around 46,000 uniformed service personnel stationed around the world.

Recruit training is at Training Center Cape May, NJ. Mentally, it is VERY tough. Consider for a minute a Search and Rescue Case on a small boat (47 foot Motor Life Boat) with a crew of 4 in heavy seas. Everyone has a job to do and are cross trained in others functions and duties as well. If you are out in a raging storm - is that the set of conditions you want to find yourself in with a person who can't handle stress? Obviously no. Recruit training will stress your mind and body. It's tough - it has to be. They will run you night and day, pour knowledge in your ear and pull it out on request.

I won't make comparisons to Basic Training for other services as they all are geared toward their services functions and responsibilities. No matter what service you chose - be prepared to work harder then you ever have.

Trying to give you a clear idea of the service, it's personnel, and functions is impossible to do in a couple of short paragraphs. All I can say is, it is an extremely challenging service, with great job satisfaction, with it's ups and downs as all services have. Deployment on ships, outside the U.S. and into hostile waters is a real possibility - either in war or fighting human or drug smugglers and bullets don't care if its a law enforcement action or a war.

I do stress National Defense because it is a basic function of what the Coast Guard does, as is true in all Armed Military Services. Be prepared to go to sea and to war if called on to do so. Coast Guard history dates from 1790 and the Coast Guard HAS fought in every war since then - and battles you never heard of. Do a Google search on "Coast Guard At War". It can give you an idea.

In short - Good Luck - do your homework - and ask questions. I, Cappy and others will be happy to give you what advise we can - regardless of the Service you chose.

All said, I spent 24.5 great years. Yes, at times it was hard, and anyone who says they were not scared spitless from time to time - is lying through their teeth. Yes, family separations and long deployments are a reality. It goes with the job!

 

[QUOTE=bodabdan]Any branch of the Armed forces would be a great experience. What exactly attracts you to the Coast Guard?

i just like the fact you are in boats and on water. i was pretty much raised in boats when i was younger because we would go to the lake all the time and always enjoyed being on our boat and driving it. another reason why is because its a part of the military and i want to be the only one in my family who goes into the military and comes out a better person

 

There is going to be a movie coming out in September called "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner. Don't know if it will be good or not, although the rough water sure looks familiar!!! It is about Coast Guard aviation and Search and Rescue - so I will reserve judgment until after I see it, but the trailer looks interesting.

Never could figure out why Hollywood doesn't make more movies about the service - but - they are all weenies anyway

http://touchstone.movies.go.com/index.html

I personally don't like Costner's politics, so he better do a good job or I will just have reason to dislike him more. From what I have heard, the film crew and actors tried to get most things right.

 

1. No. I talked to my buddy in the Navy 2 nights ago. I told him to go seals, he said yeah right they have to wake up at 4 a.m. each morning......

2. Pay. Active E1's get a little above 1,000 a month. Thats army, but I'd imagine its close for the other branches. After tax its not much, but they pay for almost everything.

3. My bonus was taxed, big time. It made a cadence make perfect since to me. "They say that in the Army the pay is mighty fine...they give you 100 dollars and take back 99"

4. Ask about the daily life of the coast guard, what your jobs all about, and find a good recruiter.

Dont worry about the coast guard, they are probobly good people, and it is probobly a nice life style. Plus your state side. I get sea sick, and swim like a brick, so anything water related isnt for me. Basic sucks yea, but nothing lasts for ever, plus you get in great shape. I went from running a 19:XX minute 2 mile to a 14 flat 2 mile in 3 weeks.

Congrats for wanting to serve.