Pros and Cons of Enlisting in the Coast Guard

Pros and Cons of Enlisting in the Coast GuardPros and Cons of Enlisting in the Coast GuardThe Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the U.S. military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission (with jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters) and a federal regulatory agency mission as parte of its mission set. Currently, the Coast Guard operates under theDepartment of Homeland Securityduring peacetime but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy by the president at any time, or by Congress during the time of war. The Coast Guards enduring roles are maritime safety, security, and stewardship. The Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, Always Ready. History of the Coast Guard Formerly, the Coast Guard was part of the Department of Transportation, but soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard roles were upgraded to a mora anti-terrorism and port protection as well as other lifesaving, shipp ing security, and drug interdiction duties. As one of the nations five armed services, the Coast Guard has been involved in every war from 1790 to Iraq and Afghanistan.It was officially established as the Revenue Marine by the Continental Congress at the request ofAlexander Hamilton. Its firstpurpose was to collect customs duties in the nations seaports. By the 1860s, the service was known as the United States Revenue Cutter Service. The Coast Guard was formed from the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service in 1915. Recruiting Environment for the Coast Guard The Coast Guard is one of the more difficult branches to join because it accepts far fewer new recruits than the other branches of the military. The Coast Guard requires a minimum of 54 points on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, but you should do better in order to be competitive with fellow recruits. You will need a high school diploma or college degree.If you have a GED, it will probably be difficult to be accepted into the Coast Guard. You will have to undergo a credit check and pass a security clearance check.The Coast Guard generally approves the lowest rate ofcriminal history waiversandmedical waivers(in fact, it is the only branch for whicha shellfishallergy is a non-waiver-able condition). They inviteprior service applicantswith some rules and restrictions. Coast Guard Enlistment Incentives The Coast Guard offers a small variety of enlistment incentives to entice qualified applicants to join. They recommend discussing current incentives with a recruiting officer. The Coast Guard participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides up to 36 months of education benefits for 15 years after your release from active duty. Like the other services, the Coast Guard offersadvanced enlistment rankup to E-3, for such things as college credits or JROTC. Coast Guard Job Opportunities The Coast Guard has 20enlisted jobs(called ratings) divi ded into 4 categories Deck Ordnance- Maritime Enforcement Specialists (ME), Boatswains Mate (BM), Gunners Mate (GM), Operations Specialist (OS), and Intelligence Specialist (IS).Hull and Engineering Damage Controlman (DC), Electricians Mate (EM), Electronics Technician (ET), Information System Technician (IT) and Machinery Technician (MK)Aviation Avionics Electrical Technician (AET), Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) and Aviation Survival Technician (AST)Administrative Scientific Food Service Specialist (FS), Health Services Technician (HS), Marine Science Technician (MST), Musician (MU),Public Affairs Specialist (PA), Storekeeper (SK) and Yeoman (YN) Coast Guard Basic Training The Coast Guard only has one location for enlistedbasic trainingCoast Guard Training Center Cape May in Cape May, New Jersey. You should know how to swim prior to joining the Coast Guard. All Coast Guard personnel must be able to jump off a 5-foot platform into a pool, swim 100 meters, and tread wa ter for five minutes. Specialized Training Units Helicopter Rescue Specialist (Search and Rescue Swimmer) that has a much more grueling test and training program to qualify with the additional exercises of pullups, underwater swims, buddy tows, and 500m swims. Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) - The MSRT is the SWAT Team of the Coast Guard and the only unit within the Coast Guard that has counterterrorism capabilities. The MSRT is trained in direct action missions and to be the to be the first response to potential or actual terrorist threats. A similar test with higher standards is required for the MSRT recruits (12-minute swim, 1 1/2 mile run, pushups, situps). Coast Guard Assignments The Coast Guard has Installations, Bases, and Air Stations throughout the continental United States East Coast, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes and Pacific. Depending upon what type of ship a Coast Guardsman is assigned to, he/she could live on that ship, or on the base, if the ship is not big enoug h to accompany the crew full time. Coast Guard personnel work with Assignment Officers to arrange assignments these individuals are in charge of all assignments for a particular job community and rank (rate) range. Typically, the factors that involve priority of assignments are the following Has the individual previously been assigned to a sea duty position as a rated individualHas the individual been in the same geographic areaWhat is the individuals rank However, some ratings have a sea time requirement for advancement (your recruiter should have a list of which ratings require sea time).As well, like the rest of the branches, the Coast Guard has overseas assignments and special assignments (such as recruiting). Coast Guard Deployments The vast majority of Coast Guard deployments are at sea onCoast Guard ships. Just as with the Navy, if you dont want to deploy on ships or submarines, dont join the Coast Guard.Like the Navy, the larger ships are small cities and can deploy ove rseas. As with members of the other Reserve Components, Coast Guard men and women are subject to involuntary mobilization under Title 10 for national security contingencies. However, unlike members of the other Reserve Components, Coast Guard Reservists can also be involuntarily mobilized for up to 60 days at a time for domestic contingencies, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Promotions in the Coast Guard Individuals enlisting in the Coast Guard can receiveadvanced promotion, up to therank(rate) of Seaman (E-3), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, etc. Coast Guard Enlisted are promoted to E-2 after the completion of boot camp, and while advancement to E-3 is virtually automatic, an E-2 is has certain performance qualifications and nonresident exams required before a recruit is eligible. In addition, members must have their commanding officers approval and 6 months time-in-grade (TIG) or have completed technical training to qualify for E-3. (in some cases you may also be eligible to advance to E-3 upon graduation from boot camp based on either enlisting for 6 years, or prior military experience.) In addition, some ratings have a sea time requirement for advancement. Enlisted Commissioning Programs in the Coast Guard Like the other services, the Coast Guard offers a chance for qualified enlisted sailors to finish college and earn a commission as a Coast Guard Officer. The advancement programs can change over time as they need more or fewer of different officer specialties.