Posted: 12/25/2009 9:31:20 PM EDT
| How are jobs determined, and how long does it take to get through the school after basic? |
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Quoted:
How are jobs determined, and how long does it take to get through the school after basic? You seem to be throwing a ton of ideas around. I did too. Couldn't decide on medic school, college, or military. Finally selected the CG. I think they only have about 45k active duty, and are a very selective service. Basically you get to pick your job. If you have the patience to wait for the A School and you meet the requirements which is usually scoring on the ASVAB. I have been going through the process for nearly a year now and am about to leave pretty soon. Patience is going to be a big one if you want to join. They also have a guaranteed A School program. Where you can select what A school you want to be sent to immediately after basic. There were very few slots available when I went to sign my contract, and none for the jobs I was interested in. So the second option, which is what I am doing, will be to go in as a non rate. This has a couple perks and some cons from my understanding. I will be able to learn more about the jobs I will be able to specialize in at my first duty station as a non rate. Then after 6 months I am able to select an A school I qualify for, after that it is just a matter of waiting depending on when the next class with room available is being held. The final option is to strike a rate. This is on the job training and proficiency tests for a select few jobs where you can "strike" the rate without having to go to A school. I don't know very much about this option though. I think those are your three choices. Also, the furthest you can advance as a non rate would be E-3. You have to specialize to make it any further. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
How are jobs determined, and how long does it take to get through the school after basic? You seem to be throwing a ton of ideas around. I did too. Couldn't decide on medic school, college, or military. Finally selected the CG. I think they only have about 45k active duty, and are a very selective service. Basically you get to pick your job. If you have the patience to wait for the A School and you meet the requirements which is usually scoring on the ASVAB. I have been going through the process for nearly a year now and am about to leave pretty soon. Patience is going to be a big one if you want to join. They also have a guaranteed A School program. Where you can select what A school you want to be sent to immediately after basic. There were very few slots available when I went to sign my contract, and none for the jobs I was interested in. So the second option, which is what I am doing, will be to go in as a non rate. This has a couple perks and some cons from my understanding. I will be able to learn more about the jobs I will be able to specialize in at my first duty station as a non rate. Then after 6 months I am able to select an A school I qualify for, after that it is just a matter of waiting depending on when the next class with room available is being held. The final option is to strike a rate. This is on the job training and proficiency tests for a select few jobs where you can "strike" the rate without having to go to A school. I don't know very much about this option though. I think those are your three choices. Also, the furthest you can advance as a non rate would be E-3. You have to specialize to make it any further. I am contemplating cgr, and cg and specifically the port security is what I am interested in the most. Would do any job though. So I could start earning money with out attending a school? Furthermore, how long does a school tke? |
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Quoted: I am contemplating cgr, and cg and specifically the port security is what I am interested in the most. Would do any job though. So I could start earning money with out attending a school? Furthermore, how long does a school tke? I thought port security was a reserve rate and you had to be sworn LEO or am I thinking of something else ? have a USCG buddy that was bitching about this when he joined a few years back he ended up doing some sort of electronics rate |
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Port Security is being phased out from my understanding and the new ME rate will be taking those jobs. Length of A School probably depends upon which school you are going to for which job. I believe once you go to basic you are considered enlisted and start getting paid. Believe me though, the process can be long. At least for my recruiting office. When I started the process back in April they weren't able to take on anyone else until the new fiscal year started in Oct and they got new quotas. So I did my MEPS and all that fun stuff and sat around until Oct. Then the soonest Basic class I could get into isn't for another two months. Maybe your area is different. But I would definitely start talking to a recruiter ASAP, the least they can do is answer your questions way more thoroughly then I can.
The ME rate is new, and has a job somewhat similar to PS. But they also take on more LE responsibilities elsewhere in the CG. I believe that ME is reserve and active, and is going to be replacing the PS jobs which are reserve only. If you go to military.com and look on their discussion boards, in the recruiting section there is a member who is retired CG and very active. He has helped me out a lot. |
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I am pretty sure that it goes like this. You are put into a room with a kitchen, a computer, a telescope and some mechanical model and a dildo.
If you go to the kitchen and make lunch, you are going to be a cook, if you go to the computer you are going to be a radar man, if you check out the telescope you will be the guy that drives the boat, if you check out the mechanical stuff, you get to be the guy that fixes the engines. If you grab the dildo, they ship you to the Navy. |
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Quoted: I am pretty sure that it goes like this. You are put into a room with a kitchen, a computer, a telescope and some mechanical model and a dildo. If you go to the kitchen and make lunch, you are going to be a cook, if you go to the computer you are going to be a radar man, if you check out the telescope you will be the guy that drives the boat, if you check out the mechanical stuff, you get to be the guy that fixes the engines. If you grab the dildo, they ship you to the Navy. Bravo Zulu - Lightning! Good laugh. Seriously. To the OP It was my experience that what I thought, at first, I wanted to do for a rate, was not what I really wanted. I also figured on just spending 4 years, getting out and going back to school. Funny how your priorities and goals change. Knowing what schools you are qualified for, based on the ASVAB gives you some possible goals. After Recruit Training, you will go to a unit - most likely afloat. That's where you will really get to know what the rates actually do, both good and bad. Then decide - and put your name on the school list. Make SN/FN (E-3) as quick as you can. This moves you up the school list quicker. Figure on at least 1 year at a unit before school. Then, of course, there are still some rates that you can "strike" - learn on the job. More practical, hands on experience then school. The options are there. You just have to reach out and take advantage of them. I guarantee you that you will work your ass off. You will also do some crappy jobs - but you will work with some of the finest people you will ever know. I went in for 4 and stayed for 24.5 - and don't regret one day of it. Well......maybe not the "puking your guts out" in crappy sea states, but it was worth it for me. Make your decisions wisely. |
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Many of your questions can be answered here: http://www.gocoastguard.com/
I've taken folks for tours of small boat stations or air stations based on their interest. Call a recruiter, ask your questions and ask to visit a unit with your job interests so you can talk to the folks doing the job. Good Luck gkp200 |
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I think the biggest hurdle right now is just getting in. Retention is unbelievable and I'm sure the recruiters office is standing room only. It's a good gig, many benefits, decent pay, etc.
My Coast Guard career and some random thoughts: - Joined in 1999, they were hurting for people, giving cash bonuses for everything and anything. - Went to Boot Camp in winter/early spring(8 weeks), cold and miserable icy rain and snow there in NJ, I would recommend not being there DEC-MAR if you can help it but you can't really be picky right now. - Did guaranteed A school out of boot, became an Electronics Technician(ET). That rate is about to lock up for several years because it looks like they may actually pull the plug on LORAN this time. ET will be over billeted by a couple of hundred in the near future. They are already cutting back/canceling A school classes and advancement will grind to a halt for a little while. - I left active duty in 2005 as an E-5 and stayed SELRES. I'm back on active duty now for a year of Title 10. My regular job is with a Motorola contractor maintaining VHF/UHF/800Mhz radio systems so I did take the skill I learned in the Coast Guard and apply it in the real world. If you like whatever rate you select, learn as much as you can, get whatever certifications, licenses or degrees you can in that field since it's paid for and it will only help you later. - Plan on continuing your education and taking advantage of the $4500 a year tuition assistance(active and reserve are eligible) and the different grants available. Shouldn't really even need to touch your GI Bill while on active duty (I'm transferring mine to my son). It's really on the individual to make themselves better and more marketable. If you go to A school and just do the minimum, don't pursue certifications or continue education in whatever field you want then you are just wasting a good opportunity. - Sounds like you need to check out the new ME rate - To answer one of your questions: You start getting paid from day one, it doesn't matter if you go to a unit or A school after boot camp. Probably better in the pay department if you do go to school straight from boot, you get advanced a paygrade when you graduate school so you should be an E-3/4 at graduation depending on what you are when you start school. - Keep in mind if you go to a unit as a non-rate straight from boot and do a year or two there while waiting for school or deciding what to do you will probably have to extend your enlistment so you have three years or so remaining on active duty when you graduate A school. So a four year active enlistment can easily become 5 or 6 but if you plan on staying in awhile or retiring who cares and with this economy being able to obligate more time isn't a bad thing at all. Ask me any questions you want, I'll do my best to answer them and not lead you too far astray. |
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Quoted:
I think the biggest hurdle right now is just getting in. Retention is unbelievable and I'm sure the recruiters office is standing room only. It's a good gig, many benefits, decent pay, etc. My Coast Guard career and some random thoughts: - Joined in 1999, they were hurting for people, giving cash bonuses for everything and anything. - Went to Boot Camp in winter/early spring(8 weeks), cold and miserable icy rain and snow there in NJ, I would recommend not being there DEC-MAR if you can help it but you can't really be picky right now. - Did guaranteed A school out of boot, became an Electronics Technician(ET). That rate is about to lock up for several years because it looks like they may actually pull the plug on LORAN this time. ET will be over billeted by a couple of hundred in the near future. They are already cutting back/canceling A school classes and advancement will grind to a halt for a little while. - I left active duty in 2005 as an E-5 and stayed SELRES. I'm back on active duty now for a year of Title 10. My regular job is with a Motorola contractor maintaining VHF/UHF/800Mhz radio systems so I did take the skill I learned in the Coast Guard and apply it in the real world. If you like whatever rate you select, learn as much as you can, get whatever certifications, licenses or degrees you can in that field since it's paid for and it will only help you later. - Plan on continuing your education and taking advantage of the $4500 a year tuition assistance(active and reserve are eligible) and the different grants available. Shouldn't really even need to touch your GI Bill while on active duty (I'm transferring mine to my son). It's really on the individual to make themselves better and more marketable. If you go to A school and just do the minimum, don't pursue certifications or continue education in whatever field you want then you are just wasting a good opportunity. - Sounds like you need to check out the new ME rate - To answer one of your questions: You start getting paid from day one, it doesn't matter if you go to a unit or A school after boot camp. Probably better in the pay department if you do go to school straight from boot, you get advanced a paygrade when you graduate school so you should be an E-3/4 at graduation depending on what you are when you start school. - Keep in mind if you go to a unit as a non-rate straight from boot and do a year or two there while waiting for school or deciding what to do you will probably have to extend your enlistment so you have three years or so remaining on active duty when you graduate A school. So a four year active enlistment can easily become 5 or 6 but if you plan on staying in awhile or retiring who cares and with this economy being able to obligate more time isn't a bad thing at all. Ask me any questions you want, I'll do my best to answer them and not lead you too far astray. I wasn't aware that one could transfer gi bill from themselves to another? How easy is it to move up to officer after joining the cg? If I co CGR, does that mean I still would have to be at my unit before a year prior to getting school slotted? |