I haven’t talked to a recruiter yet but I was thinking of signing up for the USCG Reserves. I’m 27 and I don’t know how hard it would to pass basic, I can swim well but haven’t worked out in a few years and would probably need to start running and such to get back in shape. Anyways, how do you guys like being in the coast guard , what are the benefits and draw backs you have found?
Thinking of joining the USCG Reserves..
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US Army Airborne Infantry vet here... (many moons ago) so I'm not speaking from personal experience, but over the last few years I've met a lot of current Coasties, or Coast Guard vets, and they've always impressed me as being very stand-up guys. Small fraternity, very bright, really professional, really good attitude, and extremely well-educated (I guess cruising around on those little boats gives them a lot of time for studying).
If military service is in your future, I think you could do a hell of a lot worse.
If military service is in your future, I think you could do a hell of a lot worse.
statelineblues
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My Dad went to the USCG Academy and spent over thirty years in the USCGR, retiring a Captain (O-6, equal to a full bird colonel). He's still active with the alumni committee and other organizations, and keeps in touch with classmates. It is one of the most diverse groups around, and the multitude of operations it has to undertake make the USCG an extremely good choice. Good Luck!
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tanksoldier
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Captain in the USCG or USN would be O-6.
In any case service in any branch, active or reserve is honorable and worthwhile. You'll probably spend some time on active duty anyway, so I would suggest biting the bullet and putting 3-4 years in on active, but either way you'll be doing more for your country than 99.9% of your fellow citizens.
In any case service in any branch, active or reserve is honorable and worthwhile. You'll probably spend some time on active duty anyway, so I would suggest biting the bullet and putting 3-4 years in on active, but either way you'll be doing more for your country than 99.9% of your fellow citizens.
statelineblues
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O-6 is correct - been a long night ...............
Phantom Warrior
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Active Army here, but I'm here to throw out a warning. I believe that it is very tough to get into the Coast Guard right now. Because it is "military service", but still at a Continental United States location and without really having to worry about being deployed it is very desirable and a lot of people are interested.
I know for a fact that the Air Force is over strength and the wait to get in was a year when I went to MEPS. And that's IF they take you. I suspect the Coast Guard will be similar, since it is also a desirable branch of service.
Of course, the only way to find out is to talk to your recruiter. I would recommend giving them a call. Or better yet, going in and talking to them in person and saying "Don't call me, I'll call you." My recruiter was good, but some can be pushy.
I know for a fact that the Air Force is over strength and the wait to get in was a year when I went to MEPS. And that's IF they take you. I suspect the Coast Guard will be similar, since it is also a desirable branch of service.
Of course, the only way to find out is to talk to your recruiter. I would recommend giving them a call. Or better yet, going in and talking to them in person and saying "Don't call me, I'll call you." My recruiter was good, but some can be pushy.
MisterPX
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I beleive the CG is being VERY picky as to who they enlist, due to the fact that they have more apllicants than slots, and most people beleive it's a pure CONUS duty. I gotta smirk at all the CG guys who run their mouths saying they're deployments are all gonna be stateside, then get deployed to Iraq.
OH25shooter
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Are USCG ships in nearby waters of Iraq? I thought their primary mission is Homeland Security, mostly in US ports and outside coastal waters.
statelineblues
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USCG has many different missions, and Homeland Security is just one of them. CG personnel are deployed for harbor security, port facilities security, search and rescue, etc., and all these have been used overseas as well as here at home. And yes, the CG has been in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War (most of the landing craft at Normandy beach in WW2 were operated by CG's).
71Commander
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Another old trooper here (Benning alumni- 70)
I read where the CG is not part of DoD anymore. It was transfered to Homeland security. They issue Sig .40's now because that's the gun of HS.
I read where the CG is not part of DoD anymore. It was transfered to Homeland security. They issue Sig .40's now because that's the gun of HS.
stillamarine
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CG was never part of DOD, before they were with DHS they were part of DOT.
71Commander
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Thanks stillamarine
Was unsure. Just goes to show what I don't know.
Was unsure. Just goes to show what I don't know.
Deanimator
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I used to be on the Cleveland Coast Guard pistol team when I was a government contractor at NASA Lewis. I'm an Army vet, no CG service.
I knew a lot of the Coast Guard guys, and they were uniformly great people. In the wake of the Iraq invasion, their team simply evaporated, with only a few civilians left. I think their team reformed last year.
I knew a lot of the Coast Guard guys, and they were uniformly great people. In the wake of the Iraq invasion, their team simply evaporated, with only a few civilians left. I think their team reformed last year.
Yes the Coast Guard is in and near Iraq
There are 4 patrol boats over there right now. At one point there was also a buoy tender to set ATON in the harbors. There is also a Port Security Unit there. The high endurance cutters on the west coast also make regular deployments to the area with the Navy.
There are 4 patrol boats over there right now. At one point there was also a buoy tender to set ATON in the harbors. There is also a Port Security Unit there. The high endurance cutters on the west coast also make regular deployments to the area with the Navy.
ZDavidoff
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Active Duty AF here, just wanted to add that about.com has a lot of info about all the branches for anyone interested. Just about everything on there about the AF is correct so I'm guessing the other services are well represented.
This is the link to the CG section: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/coastguard/
A1C Z. Davidoff
This is the link to the CG section: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/coastguard/
A1C Z. Davidoff
statelineblues
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There is also a quick reaction force that has been in place for a few years now - styled after SWAT teams.
Harley Quinn
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Semper Fi
You might go into the Marine Corps and go sea duty, I did that. The training is tough.
It instill's that desire for the rest of your life. I am 65 this year still work out, shoot and play with sticks, knive's and other things of destruction, going to a Dan Inosanto Seminar this weekend in Stockton CA.
This is the time to step up and be counted.
HQ
You might go into the Marine Corps and go sea duty, I did that. The training is tough.
It instill's that desire for the rest of your life. I am 65 this year still work out, shoot and play with sticks, knive's and other things of destruction, going to a Dan Inosanto Seminar this weekend in Stockton CA.
This is the time to step up and be counted.
HQ
trueblue1776
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As a reserve, unless you are a Port Securityman (PS), or volunteer to go, there is little chance of going overseas. You simply would not be expirienced enough to warrant the cost.
There isn't any shortage of active duty that is volunteering to go overseas. If you are a minority who can score above 40 or an anglo can score over 65 on your asbav(sp?) you wont have trouble getting in if you meet all the normal requirements. (the coast guard is trying to shake the image of 6 foot plus white guys)
There isn't any shortage of active duty that is volunteering to go overseas. If you are a minority who can score above 40 or an anglo can score over 65 on your asbav(sp?) you wont have trouble getting in if you meet all the normal requirements. (the coast guard is trying to shake the image of 6 foot plus white guys)
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