US Coast Guard v2 - We're on a boat! Busting five knots, wind whipping out my coat

MR.JABM · 04-21-2011, 04:13 PM

I want to be in the Coast Guard

98autococker · 04-23-2011, 11:00 PM

Glad there's a coast guard thread, i was starting to get jealous of the other ones

...Any of you guys happen to be in petaluma a-school at the moment.

TomorrowsGreatest · 04-24-2011, 10:40 PM

ive heard thats the best place to go. mine is in Charleston, SC

the other one · 04-25-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrel roll

I hope you catch scurvy.

Damn, taking it back old school.

I grew up in a coast town.... I have mad respect for the two swimmers that I know (the job portrayed in "the guardian"). The guy who got me into pantball is now a master chief in Seattle.

They say that the coast guard has the highest re-enlistment percentage of any branch... which means they're doing something right, I guess.

SniperForce-Duffek · 04-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Probably a kush job too.

the other one · 04-25-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperForce-Duffek

Probably a kush job too.

Some are pretty cool.

The rescue divers, helicopter snipers (shooting engine blocks on drug boats from the air), and the ship-boarding teams occasionally get into gunfights on the boats. Those are about the only jobs I'd be interested in.

DeAtHbYfRyInGpAn · 04-25-2011, 06:42 PM

Tracen Petaluma smells like cow poo.

I'm currently at Tracen Yorktown sweating my balls off..

Public Enema · 04-26-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the other one

Some are pretty cool.

The rescue divers, helicopter snipers (shooting engine blocks on drug boats from the air), and the ship-boarding teams very rarely, pretty much never get into gunfights on the boats. Those are about the only jobs I'd be interested in.

Fixed. From my first-hand knowledge as a USCG boarding team member.

It's not uncommon (at least at my previous units) for boarding teams to conduct an Extended Initial Safety Inspection with guns drawn, depending on the context/situation. However, I'm struggling to think of the last time a boarding team fired a shot during a boarding. The last FATAL stateside shooting that I know of which involved a Coastie didn't take place during a boarding at all...it was assisting local law enforcement, if memory serves....it was before my time in the USCG. Anyone have more information on it than me?

On a separate note, fryingpan, are you at A school, or an instructor?

CptObvious · 04-26-2011, 02:36 PM

I remember camping out on the old helicopter landing fields at Camp May back in the day. Went on a tour of some of the cutters that were docked at the time. This was...um...wow, I think 13yrs ago. haha

the other one · 04-26-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enema

Fixed. From my first-hand knowledge as a USCG boarding team member.

Good to know, thank you.

DeAtHbYfRyInGpAn · 04-26-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enema

On a separate note, fryingpan, are you at A school, or an instructor?

"C" school, weapons systems fundamentals. I'm pipelining for the Boutwell. I'm going to be their new CIWS tech.

Public Enema · 04-26-2011, 09:12 PM

Good deal...so I assume you're either a GM or an ET then? One of my buddies went through CIWS school about a year ago. He's an ET on one of the PACAREA cutters. As for me, I'll probably never get underway again...I was on an 87 as a non-rate, then went MST. I graduated OCS in Dec but decided to take a Prevention/Inspections career path. I miss it though...

DeAtHbYfRyInGpAn · 04-26-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enema

Good deal...so I assume you're either a GM or an ET then? One of my buddies went through CIWS school about a year ago. He's an ET on one of the PACAREA cutters. As for me, I'll probably never get underway again...I was on an 87 as a non-rate, then went MST. I graduated OCS in Dec but decided to take a Prevention/Inspections career path. I miss it though...

GMs don't go through WSF, so yes, I'm an ET. Sadly, all the regular ETs are complete goobers. I've always wanted to go FT, but the CG did away with that rate so I had to become an ET first.

Herredomme · 04-26-2011, 10:08 PM

I want to be in the CG too. What can I do to help my chances of getting in?

barrel roll · 04-27-2011, 12:31 AM

exercise and don't do drugs.

Public Enema · 04-27-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrel roll

exercise and don't do drugs.

This. Talk to a recruiter as soon as possible (if you haven't already). Go to www.gocoastguard.com to find recruiters and lots of info. Retention/reenlistment is at the highest point in a long time due to the economy, so the wait to get to boot camp is probably going to be significant. Do some research online before you talk to him/her, so that you have some idea of the rating (i.e. specialty) you want. I'm assuming you are considering enlisting, rather than an officer career, right? There is a big difference in the accession processes between officer and enlisted (I've gone through both, so I know firsthand).

I spent 3 years at Cape May, NJ (where we run boot camp), and I was astounded by the number of recruits who couldn't pass the physical fitness test. Be sure you can run 1.5 miles (in 12:51 or less if you're 29 or younger) and swim 100 yds with freestyle or sidestroke.

Hit me up if you have any other questions!

Herredomme · 04-27-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enema

This. Talk to a recruiter as soon as possible (if you haven't already). Go to www.gocoastguard.com to find recruiters and lots of info. Retention/reenlistment is at the highest point in a long time due to the economy, so the wait to get to boot camp is probably going to be significant. Do some research online before you talk to him/her, so that you have some idea of the rating (i.e. specialty) you want. I'm assuming you are considering enlisting, rather than an officer career, right? There is a big difference in the accession processes between officer and enlisted (I've gone through both, so I know firsthand).

I spent 3 years at Cape May, NJ (where we run boot camp), and I was astounded by the number of recruits who couldn't pass the physical fitness test. Be sure you can run 1.5 miles (in 12:51 or less if you're 29 or younger) and swim 100 yds with freestyle or sidestroke.

Hit me up if you have any other questions!

I did ask a recruiter about scheduling a meeting with him so he could answer a few of my questions, but he said that he doesn't meet with anyone unless it is a special occasion and gave me a list of websites to research. He also said that it is very difficult to get in, but didn't go any deeper than that. I will ask him a few more questions, but my question is what else besides being in shape can help myself be selected to be in the Coast Guard? I talked to one of my teachers who is ex CG, and he said that it helps a lot to score high on your ASVAB test. (Which I did)

Public Enema · 04-28-2011, 01:26 PM

Besides a good ASVAB score, any sort of post-high school education will make you look good (and may net you a signing bonus...I got $6k for having a bachelor's). Your eligibility for ratings is determined by your ASVAB score, so if you already scored well, that will help you. A clean record will help, but having a blemish or two on your record won't necessarily keep you out, depending on why you have been in trouble. When the recruiter is asking about any arrests, legal trouble, etc. be honest...one of the guys in my boot camp company lied about his criminal past; they found out right after lunch, and he was gone before dinner.

I would keep bugging the recruiter, even if he says he won't meet with you. It's his job to present the USCG in an attractive light. If he keeps blowing you off, go online and try to find another recruiter. That being said, retention is extremely high, as I mentioned before, so don't expect to go to boot camp in the next few months. Heck, when I enlisted they were trying to get everyone possible, and it took me about 3 months before I was put on the bus.

Long story short, keep pestering the recruiter. It'll show him that you're persistent and genuinely interested in joining. Also, start filling out the paperwork you'll need to submit (especially the SF-86). It will make you look good when you finally meet him if you can hand the recruiter a folder with all the requisite forms.

DeAtHbYfRyInGpAn · 04-28-2011, 06:42 PM

WHATEVER YOU DO!

When you get your ship date; Don't party too hard and jack a cop car/free all the animals at the zoo. They will pull your *** off the bus the following morning.

Public Enema · 04-30-2011, 06:27 PM

Do you know if there are any good fields near Tracen Yorktown? I'm going to be there for Marine Inspector school, and I don't want to go for a month without playing at all.

DeAtHbYfRyInGpAn · 05-05-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enema

Do you know if there are any good fields near Tracen Yorktown? I'm going to be there for Marine Inspector school, and I don't want to go for a month without playing at all.

I dont know anywhere close that has xball or 7man practice, but I know that Bethel Battlefield is close. I think they do streetball and woodsball.