Anyone familiar with anyone in the Coast Guard?

[gsxrken]

One of my son’s just surprised me with suggesting that he’s interested in enlisting in the USCG. He’s about 30 credits shy of a nondescript bachelor’s degree and his path is not clear after he finishes college. From where I sit, he could do a lot worse. A lot.
I want to spin up the topic so I can help him navigate this decision, and I figured I’d see what PPOT can contribute.
Feel free to PM me or post up any pros/cons you may be aware of, or recruiter advice. Thanks

[fintstone]

I read they are offering a $50K enlistment bonus.

[Seahawk]

Enlisting or seeking a commission?

Either path is going to be competitive to get what he wants.

What does he want to do in the Coast Guard? That is the first step.

Great group. I wish him well.

[Joe Bob]

CG Military Police is a good path.

[fintstone]

I worked with a great deal of Coastie officers in DC when I was with Homeland Security (USCG is part of DHS). Most had jobs very similar to ours (or the administrative/acquisition/HQ members of any branch of the military). Thye rotated to operational assignment and then back to DC. They did acquisition, test, etc. of cutters, icebreakers, etc.). They were able to transition into the civilian ranks pretty easy afterwards if they chose to. The rescue/drug interdiction guys had cool work, but I did not see many of them (due to location). One thing that surprised me was that some came from assignments in the Midwest. It had not occurred to me that they also worked rivers/intercoastal waterways.

[Baz]

Paging WW (Wet Works).......

[Rusty Heap]

brother in law joined when he was 18 and put in his 20 years, retired with full benefits at 38 for a non-combat military career.

[unclebilly]

My best friend from my teen years is on a big ship in the Canadian CG. I will be seeing him later today. I realize not the same as our CG is non military based.

[jcommin]

I have a friend whose oldest is in the CG. He is stationed in Detroit and has been in the Guard for almost 8 yrs. His tour is up next year and he does not plan on re-listing. He wants to go back to college and become a pilot. Chicago is just nearby and he does come home occasionally. His dad often visits too. He has had a very good experience.

[RNajarian]

I worked with them in Kodiak Alaska in 2008. They are an under appreciated group of professionals. We were flying Jayhawks in near blizzard conditions.

One time we were waiting to load some equipment with the turbine/rotors running. Side door was open and condensation began to form inside the helicopter on the ceiling from the cold/moisture of the snow and the heat of the turboshaft engine. Soon it was dripping almost raining inside the cabin.

I was miked and asked the air crew if this was something we needed to worry about. The pilot, not even looking back said “Hey someone get the Doc an umbrella.”

A lot of respect for the Coast Guard. Great opportunities for the motivated young person. This organization really makes a difference for the communities they serve.

[bmcuscgr94]

Have him look at the CG Reserve as an option. Gives him chance to finish college, get's a taste for the CG. When I went in they had a program where they worked around your school schedule, giving you the summer to do required Active Duty. You can also pickup extra active duty time sometimes.
After 20 years you get a retirement check and Tricare medical.

I put in 23 years, get a retirement check every month and medical coverage.

[fintstone]

USCG falls under the Navy during wartime. We had to test ships, comms, etc. for compatibility and meet both DHS and their standards. This is difficult because in DHS, they do a lot of emergency operations with state and local governments and NGOs.

Like any military career, one just has to keep their nose clean and their mouth shut (politics, disrespecting one's seniors), work hard, stay away from drugs, cut your hair/wear a uniform, keep in reasonably good shape, and go/do what they tell you for 20 years and you are golden. Most jobs are reasonably safe and quite a few are outdoors/near water (if you like that). We sent a lot of officers to higher education (if they wanted) just like any military officer.

[Seahawk]

A friend of mine I played HS football with enlisted in the CG and became, after a few tours, a rough water boating instructor in the PNW.

I flew in to see him in the Seahawk but, darn it, the seas were too calm then CDR Squidly: Either this or nothing

[Arizona_928]

Get the degree first. Stupid to do anything otherwise.
30 credits can be completed in 2 semesters or less with summer courses... stacking 3 science courses a semester is not easily done though.... what's his major?

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by bmcuscgr94

After 20 years you get a retirement check and Tricare medical.

Pensions in the military are a thing of the past.

That said: Many, many years ago, before marriage and child, I met with a CG recruiter. One of the best things they did was arrange for me to spend the day at a CG station. It allowed me to see a day in the life and ask people what their experience was. Ultimately, I didn't join; married an Army Infantryman instead.

Maybe your son could try that?

[RNajarian]

???? “Pensions in the military are a thing of the past.” ????

Not sure what that means, after 28 years I sure as hell better get my retirement/pension or whatever you want to call it when I retire.

Actually with the new Blended Retirement System a member can retire after 15 years.

Last I checked pensions/retirement checks are still very much a part of retired military service.

[gsxrken]

Thanks for the replies. I’m supposed to connect with him tonight and listen for what he’s really interested in. They don’t offer nearly the same opportunities or enlistment bonuses as the other branches- the $50k bonus is apparently only for folks joining WITH a culinary degree. Bonuses for non-culinary MOS’s are rather trivial. I gather the USCG is not as short of enlistment goals as the others are. I’ll check back.