I've decided I'm going to join the Coast Guard after school

Current Events

Current Events » I've decided I'm going to join the Coast Guard after school
Once this school year is over and I turn 18 I'm joining the Guard. Whoo!
Interviewer: "You're not even a superhero you're more of a vampire slayer."
Blade: "Don't do that"
Thats cool.
Theyre pretty selective. Have you got a lot in your corner?
Not a bad choice at all but have you considered the other branches and what they have to offer as well? Just good to explore all possibilities.
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
Merchant marine is easier and has a stupid easy path to being admiral or instructor
Posted with GameRaven 3.6.0_B2
The Air Force seems like the nicest branch of the military to join
I'm the fly in the ointment, the spanner in the works. I'm unpredictable. I'm the X-Factor.
- Jamie Madrox
Starks posted...
Merchant marine is easier and has a stupid easy path to being admiral or instructor
No.
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
Yeah you always struck me as a military dude
I step away from the mic to breathe
Hexenherz posted...
Not a bad choice at all but have you considered the other branches and what they have to offer as well? Just good to explore all possibilities.
I originally was looking into the Marines but when asking current/former Marines and doing the research it seems like after basic training and infantry training, things become pretty routine and boring. The Air Force has a lot to offer especially after you leave but overall what they do just doesn't appeal to me. I actually haven't looked to much into the Army but I just don't feel the calling there either. The Navy is something I am really considering as well but the Guard seems like the right place for me.
Interviewer: "You're not even a superhero you're more of a vampire slayer."
Blade: "Don't do that"
Right on man!
Happy to hear that you decided on what you'd like to do.
~snip (V)_(;,;)_(V) snip~
I'm just one man! Whoa! Well, I'm a one man band! https://imgur.com/p9Xvjvs
I think no matter which you join it's going to feel routine and boring at times, just as a heads up. But you do have fun when serving, too.

I'm curious what you mean by "overall what the Air Force does doesn't appeal to me".
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
I have an employee that works for me that is retired Coast Guard after 20 years. He spent nearly all his time in cold water areas (Alaska/Bering Sea was longest deployment, also a few times down to Antarctica).

Just make sure you find a career that could be interesting to do once you're 40. My guy just did purchasing, which there are careers for, but they don't pay much. He was able to get lucky and swing that into contracting, which pays a lot more.

If you can do a STEM job, that would be better.

And try to make it to 20 years.
I joined the Army out of high school at 18, one of the best decisions I made. I have no clue where I would be right now if I hadn't joined.
Ten million dollars on a losing campaign, Twenty million starving and writhing in pain. =~=;
Vicious_Dios Original - https://tinyurl.com/y9fpdoll
Nice! I used to play basketball every morning with a bunch of the local Coast Guard guys. They were really cool dudes. (Especially for letting me play with them as the gym was technically theirs to use at that time.)
"If you wanna grow your business you need to exploit more. Otherwise stay small and average."
~Austin_Era_II
Hexenherz posted...
I think no matter which you join it's going to feel routine and boring at times, just as a heads up. But you do have fun when serving, too.

I'm curious what you mean by "overall what the Air Force does doesn't appeal to me".
Thats true. I guess what I meant with the Marines/Army is that I'd be disappointed and bored that I wouldn't be able to use my training and make that difference. I would hate going through boot camp, infantry training, completing mos only to spend my time training every day without being able to put that to use.

With the Coast Guard you put in your 4-6 months as an apprentice, wait to get sent the school of your choice, go to that school and when you finally complete it you go straight to work in that field.

The careers in the Air Force just aren't what I'm interested in. The careers are either administrative, electronic, or mechanical and thats just not what I'm into.
Interviewer: "You're not even a superhero you're more of a vampire slayer."
Blade: "Don't do that"
Good luck. Going to try to become a Cutterman?
Irregardless, for all intensive purposes, I could care less.
OffTempo posted...
Thats true. I guess what I meant with the Marines/Army is that I'd be disappointed and bored that I wouldn't be able to use my training and make that difference. I would hate going through boot camp, infantry training, completing mos only to spend my time training every day without being able to put that to use.

With the Coast Guard you put in your 4-6 months as an apprentice, wait to get sent the school of your choice, go to that school and when you finally complete it you go straight to work in that field.

The careers in the Air Force just aren't what I'm interested in. The careers are either administrative, electronic, or mechanical and thats just not what I'm into.

What are you into?
Thanks for the clarification.

Do wish you best of luck in the Coast Guard!
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
OffTempo posted...
Thats true. I guess what I meant with the Marines/Army is that I'd be disappointed and bored that I wouldn't be able to use my training and make that difference. I would hate going through boot camp, infantry training, completing mos only to spend my time training every day without being able to put that to use.

With the Coast Guard you put in your 4-6 months as an apprentice, wait to get sent the school of your choice, go to that school and when you finally complete it you go straight to work in that field.

The careers in the Air Force just aren't what I'm interested in. The careers are either administrative, electronic, or mechanical and thats just not what I'm into.
There are hundreds of non-combat job options in the Army and Marines. It isn't automatic infantry. You go through your standard training and then you are sent to a post where you perform that job. I think you should look into your options much deeper before making assumptions, there are many misconceptions about the military branches and what they offer.
Ten million dollars on a losing campaign, Twenty million starving and writhing in pain. =~=;
Vicious_Dios Original - https://tinyurl.com/y9fpdoll
MabusIncarnate posted...
There are hundreds of non-combat job options in the Army and Marines. It isn't automatic infantry. You go through your standard training and then you are sent to a post where you perform that job. I think you should look into your options much deeper before making assumptions, there are many misconceptions about the military branches and what they offer.
I assumed op was considering infantry specifically and wanted a more hands on job.
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
When I was in I was an 88M which is a big wheel vehicle operator, which is a fancy name for truck driver. I was licensed to drive 9 different vehicles, and it was pretty much up to me what I wanted to learn. At any time you can take on an additional MOS if you want to learn another skill. It's very wide open and they are very much willing to educate and help you advance.
Ten million dollars on a losing campaign, Twenty million starving and writhing in pain. =~=;
Vicious_Dios Original - https://tinyurl.com/y9fpdoll
Esrac posted...
What are you into?
Martial arts, reading, history, and helping people. Biggest one being helping people which is why the Coast Guard feels like the right place for me. I'd either want to be a rescue swimmer or a boatswain mate, the former being pretty self explanatory and the latter being a jack of all trades helping out wherever hes needed and doing the job thats needed. Those things feel right to me.
MabusIncarnate posted...
There are hundreds of non-combat job options in the Army and Marines. It isn't automatic infantry. You go through your standard training and then you are sent to a post where you perform that job. I think you should look into your options much deeper before making assumptions, there are many misconceptions about the military branches and what they offer.
I get that but if I were to join the Army or the Marines my place would be in those combat positions. When looking into joining the military I decided that the areas I'd want to be in were either combat or anything that would directly place me into helping others and saving people.
Interviewer: "You're not even a superhero you're more of a vampire slayer."
Blade: "Don't do that"
Congrats TC.

Go with what you feel iis best for you. I never regretted going into the Army, even though I should have went Navy. But do it my friend. And thank you for your service you're about to do.
There are enough attention whores on CE as it is.
Harsh reality OP. You aint gonna see much if any combat. Or be saving people much at all
Not everyone join the military to see combat, and when you serve you have an opportunity to help people and do things you wouldn't otherwise be able to do.

Yeah there's a fair amount of monotony to the whole thing but that doesn't mean he's not going to have fun and do good things, either.
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
OffTempo posted...
Martial arts, reading, history, and helping people. Biggest one being helping people which is why the Coast Guard feels like the right place for me. I'd either want to be a rescue swimmer or a boatswain mate, the former being pretty self explanatory and the latter being a jack of all trades helping out wherever hes needed and doing the job thats needed. Those things feel right to me.

Let me break out my Blue Jacket's Manual...

BM is basically a deck hand. You would mostly be doing deck work like tying lines, loading cargo, working on barges and tugs, and painting. They may participate in damage control operations or gun crews though.

Depending on what you mean by "helping people" you could look into DC, Damage Controlman, who deal more directly with stuff like firefighting, maintaining damage control equipment, etc.

HMs, Hospital Corpsman, are basically enlisted medical staff. Pharmacists, battlefield medics, nurses' aides, dental assistants, etc. First aid, patient care, lab work, etc.

MAs, Master at Arms, are basically like police/security.

NDs, Navy Divers, do underwater search and rescue, demolition, recon, etc.

EODs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, do stuff like locate, recover, and dispose of explosive ordnance.

If you're the really athletic type, you could look into BUD/S to try to be a SEAL.
Pretty sure a BM in the Coast Guard is different than in the Navy. Also the Coast Guard does offer good opportunities to get specialized training for things like maritime boarding teams and stuff.
FFXIV: Lucius Hexenseele (Brynhildr) | RS3: UltimaSuende . 99 WC/Fish/Cook/Fletch/Div/Mining/Smithing/Thieving/Crafting/RC
https://letterboxd.com/BMovieBro/
Hexenherz posted...
Pretty sure a BM in the Coast Guard is different than in the Navy. Also the Coast Guard does offer good opportunities to get specialized training for things like maritime boarding teams and stuff.

Fair enough.

I was mostly pointing out alternatives.

I dont know that much about Coast Guard.
Esrac posted...
Let me break out my Blue Jacket's Manual...

BM is basically a deck hand. You would mostly be doing deck work like tying lines, loading cargo, working on barges and tugs, and painting. They may participate in damage control operations or gun crews though.

This is Navy right? For the Coast Guard their job is to operate patrol boats, search and rescue and assist navigation teams although I believe junior BMs do the roles that Navy BMs do.
Esrac posted...

NDs, Navy Divers, do underwater search and rescue, demolition, recon, etc.

If you're the really athletic type, you could look into BUD/S to try to be a SEAL.
Can you elaborate on demolition and recon? I know for Coast Guard the "equivalent" would be aviation survival technician which are basically rescue swimmers and medical technicians.
Interviewer: "You're not even a superhero you're more of a vampire slayer."
Blade: "Don't do that"
OffTempo posted...
This is Navy right? For the Coast Guard their job is to operate patrol boats, search and rescue and assist navigation teams although I believe junior BMs do the roles that Navy BMs do.

Can you elaborate on demolition and recon? I know for Coast Guard the "equivalent" would be aviation survival technician which are basically rescue swimmers and medical technicians.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S2yhU1KHoHM

Sounds more like underwater salvage and recon.

But there are HM-ATF-DMT

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TAB0-ZQ9cUU

HM-ATF
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tgy9cW9jqVw

Thing with HMs though, their advancement rates are really low.
Current Events » I've decided I'm going to join the Coast Guard after school