Does anybody have much information about them... I've read the website of course. I was looking for personal accounts. I'm thinking of signing up.

9/27/2006 5:20:09 PM

welcome to iraq

9/27/2006 5:21:53 PM

i think that's the only branch were you have the least propensity of getting killed.

9/27/2006 5:25:12 PM

shallow water navy

9/27/2006 5:32:04 PM

Coast Guard = Dept of Interior

Welcome to Bering Straight or Florida Coastline

9/27/2006 5:44:13 PM

Quote :

"shallow water navy"

last i checked, you could drown in a few inches of water. fuck either one

9/27/2006 6:00:19 PM

FYI, the Coust Guard Deploys just like any other branch of the military. I have a cousin in Kuwait/Iraq/Persian Gulf right now.

Your chances of deploying are slim though, and only the larger cutters get deployed mostly.

9/27/2006 6:03:33 PM

your friend will think you are gay

9/27/2006 6:07:40 PM

if you're drowning at the end of their dock, they won't even try to rescue you unless you have drugs on your boat

this is true of CGS Fort Macon anyway

9/27/2006 7:14:08 PM

i hear you get hazed the most in the CC than any other branch of military

9/27/2006 8:26:49 PM

I live in a CG town. The base is only about 2 minutes from my house. Nothing like c-130's going over your house at 2 am. I have to say that of all the military housing I've ever seen, this place seems to have the best. All the buildings on base are in good repair, from what I've seen. They just recently filmed part of "The Guardian" (ashton kutcher movie) here. I never hear of "Coasties" going into town and starting a bunch of crap when they get drunk either. I mean, its a small town so to really party you have to drive to Virginia, but people tend to take care of you a little better around here. I had considered joining the CG myself, but with my luck I'd be stationed in Alaska!

9/27/2006 10:33:55 PM

^ you must be speaking of elizabeth city

9/27/2006 10:41:59 PM

I think it's a job I'd enjoy a LOT. And I want to stay as close to home as possible.

They haze more than the Marines? I have a Marine buddy and he said the hazing was significant.

Quote :

"I never hear of "Coasties" going into town and starting a bunch of crap when they get drunk either."

That was another thing I wanted to avoid, if the boys want to go into town and have a beer, that's cool... but my marine friend tells me crazy stories. Even if they did, I hoping I could avoid that part of the culture... although I AM a raft guide so if they can outparty a bunch of guides, I'd be impressed. (The difference b/w guides and Marines from what I'm told is that on the whole, guides are a peace-loving buch of ppl.)

[Edited on September 27, 2006 at 10:54 PM. Reason : .]

9/27/2006 10:50:19 PM

my dad was in the Coast Guard for 4 years, he served 2 years at Cape Hatteras & the LORAN station out there, and 2 years in Hawaii working as the ship's engineer on the USCGC Buttonwood bouy tender

if I were to join any branch of the service, it would be the Coast Guard

9/27/2006 11:06:43 PM

I have a few friends at the coast gaurd academy and some who have graduated and are working in the coast gaurd. If you want there aim names or something send me a pm and they can answer any of your questions

9/27/2006 11:17:16 PM

Quote :

"Coast Guard = Dept of Interior"

Coast Guard is in the Department of Homeland Security

9/28/2006 9:37:35 AM

buddy of mine did 2 yrs. 1 stationed in key west mostly busting immigrants and drug boats...loved it

2nd year in va beach bc he fucked up a little in key west, he hated that year.

san diego is another good choice.

i was really considering signing up a few years back...

[Edited on September 28, 2006 at 9:40 AM. Reason : he definitely did some time in the middle east too though...]

9/28/2006 9:39:28 AM

im currently signed up to go, but will probably back out cause im a vagina like that

but before the war with iraq, the coast guard got in more firefights than any other branch

as far as hazing, it doesnt happen as much as other branches...i know a few people in the CG now and they all say that rumor is bullshit

also boot camp is skate...at least for women...i know they give you 2 12 hr liberties to go out to bars and stuff, plus you get to eat what you want, and they dont "put" you to bed, just kinda tell you when to go

oh yeah and as far as deploying, there is always a "chance" but you arent going to deploy to iraq like other branches do...if you do end up deploying in the CG it will be somewhere like Guam, but most people still volunteer to deploy so you can say no unless there is some emergency

[Edited on September 28, 2006 at 9:59 AM. Reason : asfd]

9/28/2006 9:57:36 AM

my dad is 22 years retired, now working as a contracter for them, my uncle just retired with over 22 years in and has gone back to work as a SAR controller for them, and another uncle just retired with over 25 years in. I'd say I know it pretty well. As stated before they are in the DHS now and their mission is ever expanding. They are the only branch with a peacetime mission. There are many different jobs just like any other branch, but they really only have domestic bases, and you're a sure bet to be near water no matter where you are stationed. I've lived in Charlestion, SC, St. Louis area, Kodiak, AK, and in NC, so a pretty good variety. They have bases in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and up and down both coasts. Just depends on what you want to do as to where you're most likely to be stationed. Hazing is normal, I would say no different than any other branch. Boot is in Cape May, NJ which is like the armpit of the US, but other than that it's really a decent branch, and being DHS they're getting a lot cooler shit than DOD is right now.

Let me know if you have any more ????'s as I would be more than happy to try to answer them for you

9/28/2006 11:59:50 AM

What does military hazing generally involve?

9/28/2006 4:41:18 PM

I'm curious, too, as to what qualifies as "hazing".

[Edited on September 28, 2006 at 5:22 PM. Reason : .]

9/28/2006 5:21:03 PM

hazing in the coast guard? what do they baptize you or something?

9/28/2006 5:49:25 PM

Quote :

"Coast Guard is in the Department of Homeland Security "

yep, not Dept of Interior. used to be Dept of Transportation (before Dept of Homeland Sec was a free-standing agency)

Quote :

"i hear you get hazed the most in the CC than any other branch of military "

hahahaha

I will pretty much guarantee you that the USMC has first place in the race for most severe training on lockdown.

I've heard you have to swim a lot for the Coasties, but that's about it.

9/28/2006 6:29:28 PM

Quote :

"I've heard you have to swim a lot for the Coasties, but that's about it."

They say that on the website... but as I pointed out, I'm a river guide and a scuba diver... I've swam quite a bit in my day... that's the part that concerns me the least... especially since some Coasties and SEALS are supposed to join me in a swiftwater rescue class on my own river in a few days.

9/28/2006 7:32:46 PM

I'm glad this topic popped up, since I'm thinking about the CG too.

Most of all I want to fly. I'd join whatever branch gaurentees me a flying spot after OCS. I talked with the army guys and they were like "take a money bonus!!!". Yeah whatever, I can make a lot more money as an aerospace engineer. I haven't talked with a CG recruiter yet, but the website leads me to thinking that I'm qualified for the Blue 21 Flight Program. If I could sign, and be gaurenteed a flying spot, I'd sign tomorrow.

9/28/2006 10:21:30 PM

Perhaps we'll have basic together... God I hate running... which is why I'm starting now. I remember showing up for football as a rookie after laying on my ass all summer... and PUKING! The next year I was READY... I may try to do some kayaking just to make conditioning more fun. I thought I was in shape until I took that sport up.

9/28/2006 11:38:41 PM

from what i understand you only run 3 times in boot camp

9/29/2006 5:43:04 AM

^ lol

9/29/2006 3:27:13 PM

I hope you get stationed with Kevin Costner.

9/29/2006 3:30:48 PM

^do what?

9/29/2006 4:21:23 PM

Just not Houma, Louisiana.

9/29/2006 4:21:50 PM

Wilmington, NC has the USCG Dillegence that moores on the riverfront. Also there's a LORAN station down near Carolina Beach, a USCG station at Wrightsville Beach, and one at Fort Fisher. I'm sure there are others around this area, but those are the ones I can think of offhand.

9/29/2006 4:29:53 PM

I'd rather go to Panama City... oh how many times I've heard "securitee', securitee', securitee' ... blah blah... United States Coast Guard, Mobile Alabama Group monitering and recording on all stations out."

Plus the fact that my parents have a place there and they are in the gradual process of retiring.

[Edited on September 29, 2006 at 4:59 PM. Reason : Retirement.]

9/29/2006 4:56:22 PM

It also emphasizes that there will be extensive "drilling" with the Garand... the Garand was and is a great rifle, but why IT, why not the M-16 or the next generation of rifle? Is it a matter of tradition and is the M-1 specially suited for that purpose?

I was referring to boot camp btw...

[Edited on September 29, 2006 at 11:50 PM. Reason : .]

9/29/2006 11:47:21 PM

in boot camp we used demilitarized m1s.
if you do talk to a recruiter, try to get a guaranteed A school.

boot camp is fun. you get cake and ice cream. people are more likely to gain weight at boot camp. we seriously only ran like 4 times, swam 4 times, but we did a lot of yoga aka functional strength. and bikes, we rode stationary bikes.

as for hazing, im at a small boat station in the gulf coast and i havent seen anything. e-2 and e-3s get the most work because theyre the lowest rank, but you gotta do your time to get respect. dont walk in expecting an easy job. everyone has to clean a shitter or do mess cooking.

one of the things that sucks is the duty we stand. i do 2on 2off sliding weekends, so you work 2 full days, sleep at the station overnight, then have 2 days off, then work a long weekend, but then the next wee you only work 2 days with the weekend off. theres also day workers who do 730 to 330 and the reservists that show up every here and there.

9/30/2006 8:14:44 AM

theres no such thing as hazing in the military, just friendly inniations


public ridicule is about what we define as hazing...a few other keywords and tricky phrases, but i dont recall them


ET3 Faircloth, USN

9/30/2006 9:48:15 AM

bttt

Public Ridicule is something I can handle... shit, I'm a Mod on TWW.

[Edited on October 1, 2006 at 9:57 PM. Reason : .]

10/1/2006 9:56:19 PM

My cousin was stationed out of key west on the USCGC Sawfish, and he said as soon as they left port, they brought up fishing poles and fished for wahoo all day

10/1/2006 10:54:22 PM

currently on active duty for the coast guard in flight school. I've been in for almost 5 years now and really enjoy it.
I enlisted back in OCT 2001 and got a guaranteed "A" school from the recruiters in Raleigh. I don't regret going with a guaranteed school but the drawback is that you may find out later on that you would have rather done something else. After school (now called Operations Specialist) I went to a 378' cutter out of Charleston and did counter-drug and Alien/migrant Interdiction Operations.. I enjoyed being underway but was sold on flying when I saw the Helos go up every day and have all the fun while I was stuck in radio being bored silly...
I got into OCS and after that went to Group Fort Macon. I loved it there and worked with all of the units on the coast of NC, plus living in Atlantic Beach isn't bad duty either.

As far as Blue 21, it's a program that does guarantee a spot in flight school but is highly competitive and has specific goals in mind. One of them being you need to attend a school that has a certain % of minority enrollment. Not sure exactly but Pm me with any specific questions.

My wife is also went to NCSU and has enlisted. She has her OCS package in and will be awaiting the OCT 30th board results.

The best source for info on going to OCS in the Coast Guard is: http://www.coastguardocs.com

I can answer a lot of questions too if anyone has any!

10/1/2006 11:11:26 PM

Quote :

"currently on active duty for the coast guard in flight school. I've been in for almost 5 years now and really enjoy it. I enlisted back in OCT 2001 and got a guaranteed "A" school from the recruiters in Raleigh. I don't regret going with a guaranteed school but the drawback is that you may find out later on that you would have rather done something else. After school (now called Operations Specialist) I went to a 378' cutter out of Charleston and did counter-drug and Alien/migrant Interdiction Operations.. I enjoyed being underway but was sold on flying when I saw the Helos go up every day and have all the fun while I was stuck in radio being bored silly... I got into OCS and after that went to Group Fort Macon. I loved it there and worked with all of the units on the coast of NC, plus living in Atlantic Beach isn't bad duty either. As far as Blue 21, it's a program that does guarantee a spot in flight school but is highly competitive and has specific goals in mind. One of them being you need to attend a school that has a certain % of minority enrollment. Not sure exactly but Pm me with any specific questions. My wife is also went to NCSU and has enlisted. She has her OCS package in and will be awaiting the OCT 30th board results. The best source for info on going to OCS in the Coast Guard is: http://www.coastguardocs.com I can answer a lot of questions too if anyone has any! "

Can you describe an average day at all? What is OCS and flight school like?

Joshua

10/2/2006 12:33:21 AM

bttt

10/2/2006 2:26:42 AM

A friend of mine just finished OCS for the Coast Guard.

He called it 17 weeks of hell.


Put another way, you'd hate it

10/2/2006 2:42:34 AM

Quote :

"public ridicule is about what we define as hazing...a few other keywords and tricky phrases, but i dont recall them"

traditions?

10/2/2006 10:03:07 AM

My uncle did it, just retired. I'm pretty sure he stayed in Virginia or NC his whole career.

10/2/2006 12:06:17 PM

I wouldn't call OCS hell but its not too bad either... I had fun looking back on it and made some great friends. I was there over the winter which is a pretty terrible time to be in New London, CT. A typical day at OCS is getting up at 5:00am running down to the gym in formation, working out, running back, shower/change for breakfast after breakfast uniform inspection then class till lunch, lunch class, come back get yelled at or go to dinner then get yelled at (at least in the first weeks) do homework, get ready for the next day etc. bed at 10:00pm with usually some kind of watch in the middle of the night.
OCS is not bad, it is just VERY much the same day in and day out... kinda like ground hog day!
It is totally worth it though. As I said before I was enlisted before and a day at OCS in a nice big room with lots of space was 10x better than being underway as a junior enlisted guy. OCS is designed to get you to work as a team, develop leadership skills, get you in shape etc. You also spend about 2 weeks on the CGC Eagle a baroque sailing ship that to me was a lot of fun. Most don't like it but when else will you get to be on such a big beautiful SAILING ship... just my $.02...

I did not try for flight school out of OCS as I wanted to do Seach and Rescue from the ashore side of the house first but as with anything in the CG, if you do your job well, then there will be opportunities for you to do what you want. I got down to Pensacola about a year ago and spent the first 6 months waiting for a space to open up. This is pretty typical though for all the branches. Coasties usualy wait less than the squids and marines do though... There are 4 phases of flight school IFS, API, Primary and Advanced

IFS is a civilian taught at a local airport. It's what anyone would learn in their first 25 hours of going for their civilian private pilots license. It can be a lot of fun or not depending on where you do it. All coasties do there in this area (pensacola) while the navy people can do their's pretty much anywhere.
API is 6 weeks long and is designed to teach you the basic principles of aerodynamics, weather, engines, navigation, and federal flight rules and regulations. There is also some survival stuff thrown in there and mess but that is pretty much it.

Primary is about 6 months long and is all done at NAS whiting field (about 30 min away from Pensacola) you fly the T-34C and do about 90 hours of flying in it. This is the stage I am in and I like it. It's hard but also very rewarding. There is the Contact stage, where you learn the basics, Basic INstruments where you learn what it sounds like... basic instruments! Percision aerobatics where you do lots of fun stuff if you have the stomach for it, Forms, where you fly super close to another plane like you see at airshows then finally, Radio Instruments where you learn to fly in all sorts of weather and learn all you can about flying instruments.

Advanced, I don't know much about as I am still in primary but it is specific to what you will be flying later on in your career, if you are going helicopters you go to rotary advanced. If multiengine fixed wing, you go to that pipeline, and same for jets but not for us coasties, we don't fly tactical jets so you either go multi or rotary...

10/2/2006 7:23:01 PM

im going to talk to a recruiter, my grades are poor and i wonder if thats going to hurt me

10/2/2006 8:10:14 PM

I'm a Cheif in the CG. PM me and I'll fill you in on what ever questions you have. I'm flying to San Juan later this week though.

Keep in mind, the Guardian movie is total crap. Aviation and the rest of the CG are entirely different worlds.

[Edited on October 2, 2006 at 10:04 PM. Reason : mi]

10/2/2006 9:52:08 PM

Bad grades won't hurt you to go enlisted. I don't know what your GPA is but mine is in the B- range and with some enlisted expereince and the desire to be an officer you should have a good shot assuming you do well in your job...

Man this is great, I worked with a guy in atlantic beach that went to state and another friend of mine is as well, but other than them I haven't met too many NCSU alums in the Coast guard, this is great!

10/2/2006 10:13:00 PM

see i dont want to go enlisted, i still have a little time to pull them up and i have great recomendations... but my gpa will probably be in the 2.8-3.0 range

10/2/2006 10:21:14 PM

thats not neccessarily a deal breaker, mine is in that range, demonstrated expereince outside of school, leadership skills, etc. will all help.

and cgmk1 is right, I've been afloat, at ops ashore units and now in the aviation community and all of them are great, but different.

You also must realize that of the 5 branches it is not uncommon in the coast guard to be enlisted with a degree. I know when I was enlisted there were quite a few junior enlisted people with good educations either trying for OCS or not. The last board had about 130 applicants for 20 spots. Not very good odds for the average guy off the street, heck I know I probably could not have gotten in straight off the street. That's why many go enlisted, to get the expereince and the advantage over others.

10/2/2006 11:00:18 PM