So, you want to join the Coast Guard.

BMs drive boats (in general).

An 'A' school is a general rate (MOS/job) training school, a 'C' school is an advanced/specialty school. You can have a rate (eg; MST) and still go to BTM/BO 'C' schools if you're in the right billets.

 

Reading through the different rates it’s surprising to me how many say that they are also used for some law enforcement duties.

Thank you for the info I’m still waiting to hear back from the recruiter.

 

That's because we all have different types of law enforcement responsibilities.

There's folks on small boats doing rec and fisheries boarding.
There's folks who tag along on naval vessels and foreign warships doing counter drug and other stuff in the high seas.
There's folks who hang around on the big cutters who do much the same.
There's folks on shore who do maritime inspections and regulatory stuff on various entities.

 

Why would anyone join the Coast Guard?

 

Where shall I start?

 

Dude, so much bacon and eggs. Everyday. At home.

 

Aside from having the highest retention rate of any military branch? Where should I start

 

Alphabetical order would be cool...

In all seriousness I would like to see y’all opinions on why you love the coast guard.

 

Reservist at college/Active Duty Engineer Junior Officer 2008-20013 here.

For me is was the mission: Help people, stop drugs, protect our fisheries/environment, defend the country at home (NOT going on Halliburton/Raytheon mercenary misadventures).

I loved the small close knit community and life on the cutter. The camaraderie and teamwork was incredible. I made great friends and had some crazy adventures running down drug go-fasts and semi-subs. Saved fishermen having heartattacks and mechanical issues out of Dutch Harbor, AK, even airlifted folks off an erupting volcano island one time Traveled all over Central America and Bering Sea. Being an officer wasn't for me though, especially having not come up through the CG Academy. The politics and catiness of the wardroom was just embarrassing.

While not DOD, CG still is entitled to most of the perks of DOD military. Access to USAA/Navy Federal which have been great to me(especially the $25k commissioning loan 2%APR), VA home loans, VA education funding, shopping at base Exchange, various tax/registration/fishing and hunting license/discounts.

And even after getting out, being a veteran with a Security Clearance has been my golden ticket to employment. Even though I didn't make a career of it, joining the CG was one of the best things I ever did for my personal, professional, and financial success.

 

w/e you want...

 

I’ll start with the fact you can have a lot of fun on the job riding carts and drinking lattes because in general most commands know their people get shit done and don’t need to micro manage as much as the other branches... because we think for ourselves and prioritize tasks!

 

A everyday mission with mostly adults. Shit, the real question is, 'do you even qualify to join the CG..'

 

Latte's are bull$hit, I'm lactose intolerant.

 

Aviator 2008-Present.

As an aviator, fixing and flying is pretty awesome. The technical expertise you gain from the job is next to non, compared to other branches. The CG, has some of the most well rounded aircraft mechanics in the military. That mainly stems from the fact that we only have mechanics and electricians. There’s no “specialties”.

Obviously working the 9-5 is a great gig. I am not going to pretend like we are some sort of “defense” branch because we aren’t. The mission is to save lives, stop drugs, and migrants. I like being a mechanics and it suits what I want out of life.

 

Just Graduated bootcamp yesterday, Heading to CGC Midgett. This whole corona Virus thing is a real pain the butt, but my flights should be pretty much empty haha

 

BZ Welcome to the family. Good luck out there

 

Keep those puddles safe.

Congrats! Thanks for stepping up.

 

Good Luck. Boot camp to a Cutter beats Boot camp to A School any day!