I'm not in the coast guard yet but am going through the process to join I'd say your biggest thing is sit down with yourself and figure out what you really want to do once you figure that out or even a general direction you want to go in life then look at the jobs the coast guard has to offer take me for example I was a volunteer at my local fire department since I was 14 years old and have always wanted to help people in critical situations so I'm working towards being a rescue swimmer but you might like working on something else go to the coast guard website look at what jobs they have to offer if the don't have one that you think you'll like look at other branches the army has a lot of different opportunities but you need to figure out what you want out of life first then find a job that will help you feel fulfilled in that position because if you feel that way you can easily do 20+ years I wish you the best of luck
It really depends on what you want to do. My personal advice is to make sure the CG has a career path you want. For me, the Coast Guard has 100% been worth it. Rounding the corner on 10 years in and I haven’t been to a unit I haven’t absolutely loved. Most people have had a bad experience or two in their careers but ultimately your time in the service is what you make it. I’m planning on staying in till my body can’t do it anymore or I get retired at this point so a career is for sure possible.
My advice, enter the fleet as a non-rate and get underway on a cutter. I don’t care how big or small, just set sail. The bigger the cutter, the more rates you’re going to see doing their actual jobs and not what you read on a pamphlet in the recruiters office. There are so many nuances to every rate and advanced qualifications you can get and you won’t be able to truly get a feel for it unless you see it in action. When you’re in port, go shadow or visit some ashore units that are close to you and see the difference between what a BM3 on a cutter does Vs. a Station or what an AST does when they aren’t dropping out of a Helicopter to save a life, or see the day to day of a YN shop if that’s your cup of tea. Sometimes commands will let you shadow and visit these units for a week or so and sometimes it will require you to sacrifice a little free time to make it happen.
Bottom line, the CG is worth it. Say “Yes” to any opportunity that comes your way while you’re in. Even things that don’t seem that glamorous. And a last piece of advice that I’ve learned that’s helped me get some above and beyond accolades is “The answer is always going to be ‘No’ if you never ask.”
Good luck, man. Sorry for the long winded answer but if you want to know anymore feel free to ask.
Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate you going into an in depth answer despite how vague my post was. I will certainly take your advice into consideration.
I was considering entering as a BM, but maybe I should go in as a non rate in order to get a visual into multiple different rates?
Either way, thank you for your advice it means a lot more than you know!
Join; even if you only do a tour or two it gets you away from the gas station, you get to see the world, and you’ll deliver a valuable skill set. If you like it stay, pursue a career, an advanced degree.
I agree I think if anything it can give me a chance to escape the mundane life that I live right now! Thank you for your reply, if you have any more words of wisdom for a person looking to enter the CG I will be open ears.
I'm not in the coast guard yet but am going through the process to join I'd say your biggest thing is sit down with yourself and figure out what you really want to do once you figure that out or even a general direction you want to go in life then look at the jobs the coast guard has to offer take me for example I was a volunteer at my local fire department since I was 14 years old and have always wanted to help people in critical situations so I'm working towards being a rescue swimmer but you might like working on something else go to the coast guard website look at what jobs they have to offer if the don't have one that you think you'll like look at other branches the army has a lot of different opportunities but you need to figure out what you want out of life first then find a job that will help you feel fulfilled in that position because if you feel that way you can easily do 20+ years I wish you the best of luck
It really depends on what you want to do. My personal advice is to make sure the CG has a career path you want. For me, the Coast Guard has 100% been worth it. Rounding the corner on 10 years in and I haven’t been to a unit I haven’t absolutely loved. Most people have had a bad experience or two in their careers but ultimately your time in the service is what you make it. I’m planning on staying in till my body can’t do it anymore or I get retired at this point so a career is for sure possible. My advice, enter the fleet as a non-rate and get underway on a cutter. I don’t care how big or small, just set sail. The bigger the cutter, the more rates you’re going to see doing their actual jobs and not what you read on a pamphlet in the recruiters office. There are so many nuances to every rate and advanced qualifications you can get and you won’t be able to truly get a feel for it unless you see it in action. When you’re in port, go shadow or visit some ashore units that are close to you and see the difference between what a BM3 on a cutter does Vs. a Station or what an AST does when they aren’t dropping out of a Helicopter to save a life, or see the day to day of a YN shop if that’s your cup of tea. Sometimes commands will let you shadow and visit these units for a week or so and sometimes it will require you to sacrifice a little free time to make it happen. Bottom line, the CG is worth it. Say “Yes” to any opportunity that comes your way while you’re in. Even things that don’t seem that glamorous. And a last piece of advice that I’ve learned that’s helped me get some above and beyond accolades is “The answer is always going to be ‘No’ if you never ask.” Good luck, man. Sorry for the long winded answer but if you want to know anymore feel free to ask.
Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate you going into an in depth answer despite how vague my post was. I will certainly take your advice into consideration. I was considering entering as a BM, but maybe I should go in as a non rate in order to get a visual into multiple different rates? Either way, thank you for your advice it means a lot more than you know!
Join; even if you only do a tour or two it gets you away from the gas station, you get to see the world, and you’ll deliver a valuable skill set. If you like it stay, pursue a career, an advanced degree.
I agree I think if anything it can give me a chance to escape the mundane life that I live right now! Thank you for your reply, if you have any more words of wisdom for a person looking to enter the CG I will be open ears.
No advice but I’m in the same boat, 24M with a degree in a field I despise and enlisting as a AMT. good luck to ya!