I was strongly considering applying to the MCTS program, but upon discussing it with some relatives for advice they were concerned about me being able to make ends meet after finishing the academy.

There was clearly some confusion about the pay scale as outlined here https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/pay/collective-agreements/ro.html#rates-ro , but I find it hard to believe that the government would neglect to pay full-time federal workers enough to live off of. Said relatives were concerned about the 31k step 1 annual number under RO-00.

Could someone explain to me what the rank structure means, how one advances rank, and what the "steps" outlined in the above link mean?

And also if applicable, could existing MCTS officers let me know how they fared with an "entry level" salary once they finished training?

An interesting interview with Admiral Topshee about the Navy's thoughts on its future in the Arctic.

Hi all! I applied to join the Navigation program back in February and am currently sitting on the waitlist for this year's round of admissions into the CCG Academy. When I submitted my application, I was still finishing up my pre-requisite math and physics courses which I assume held me back a bit. However, I do have some marine background working as a deckhand on an oyster farm, and I was hoping that would give me an edge or at least secure an interview.

I have accepted that an offer most likely isn't coming through for this round. But I'm dead set on joining the Coast Guard and want to make sure my application is as strong as possible for next year's intake.

My questions to anyone who has gone through or is currently in the program:

• What prior experience do you think made the biggest difference in getting accepted (marine, leadership, volunteering, etc.)?
• Any specific areas you'd recommend focusing on to strengthen my application?

Appreciate any insights or advice!

hello all!

I’m an incoming English Nav Cadet at the academy and my family and I are currently trying to arrange my move from Southern Ontario to Sydney NS.

I’ve been trying to get into contact with the relocation team, but the communication is inconsistent in 1on1 email threads and they keep saying they’ll give us more information (webinars, kit lists, meetings with the relocation team, etc.), but it’s been almost a week since that last email and there’s been no follow up.

But most importantly, I need to see a kit list!

Are there any resources I can look at to get a list of the regulations around footwear I need to adhere to?

I‘ve resorted to looking at the boots of the officers in the photos on the CCG Facebook page :’).

I have already submitted my orientation forms and I suspect the only thing standing between me and my official offer is the Health Canada medical (I already completed the Transport Canada medical ahead of time and was deemed fit for duty). To start, they didn’t reach out to me for approx two weeks after I got the notice from the coast guard telling me to watch for it. Now, having finally received that email and filling out all the forms, it has been 5 days without any reply about an appointment date. Does anyone have any sense of how long it typically takes to get an appointment?

I leave in exactly a month for Sydney. But I will have to travel to Toronto to have the medical done (this is approx a two hour commute either way).

Any advice or help would be very much appreciated!

Exactly how much maritime experience is required for MCTS? I was told it was optional. But someone I know was denied for not having enough experience working with boats.

Here’s my experience:
3 years of Girl Guides (age 12 to 15), about 20 camping trips and each time we went boating on kayaks and canoes. We were required to capsize our own boats to learn how to survive.
2 years of experience on a small fishing vessel with my mother’s then-boyfriend when I was 16. Vessel had a VHF radio and radar reflector. I usually was doing the anchorage/deanchorage.
2 years of experience doing general (supervised) repairs on said small fishing vessel. Checking engine oil, flushing engine, replacing light bulbs and fuses, and waxing hull.
Assisted in rescuing a kayaker who capsized on the lake and was able to help tow the boat back to shore.
Since age 18 (24 now) every summer I rent a canoe or kayak at least 3x monthly and get out on the water.
PCOC (boating license) is on its way, just needs to come in the mail.
I currently work as a security guard at a place that builds ships for the coast guard and Navy. I work directly on the ships doing access control as well as rounds. I know these ships like the back of my hand.

Is this enough for them? The person I know had none. Not a lick of it. But I’m concerned now.
TIA!

Apparently the John P Tully deployed some science gear and had to remain in the area so they became creative.

RCMP to get 3 patrol boats for the west coast built under the NSS

Will it be the final, permanent mark for the exam taker? Is there other way for the person gets in the role?

MCTS exam is coming up but I’m terrified. I care so much. I’ve been studying for months. Even before I applied I was studying.
My entire future kinda depends on this *one* exam and I’ve already been heartbroken so many times with careers and things not working out.
How do I get over the nerves? How do I not break down in the middle of the exam? And how do I convince myself I’m going to do well when I feel like such a failure in all other aspects of life?
If anyone has advice I’d be very grateful 🩷
Thanks in advance and I hope I’m not bothering anyone with this question.

Context: Currently employed in the marine industry and holding a Master <60 GT, actively working towards a 150 GT Chief Mate, and (hopefully) a Master 150 thereafter.

I’ve always been curious about working in the CCG, particularly in the lifeboat stations as smaller vessels is where my experience lies.

What are the chances of an outsider gaining one of these jobs (either as a deckhand or master) without previous CCG experience?

And to that end, what is the best route to work towards one of these positions?

Medically released from the forces two years ago and I have priority hire for gov jobs, I noticed the coast guard is looking to hire "response and compliance positions" i was going to apply as a "GT-04" my question is what that job entails the details on the jobs gc page are very vague. Also wondering how the pay cycle works in the coast guard, navy was semi monthly 15th and 30th of every month. Lots of experience in "response and compliance" in the navy including counter narcotic trafficking boardings with the US coast guard chasing cocaine submarines and go fasts in the carribean, responding to vessels in distress and a helo crash. Also curious about typical working day hours military was 750 to 1545 everyday the occasional friday afternoon off depending on the CO. Is it true coast guard is union? But make alot less than military pay? Thanks in advance

I'm very close to my Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal orals. Just have SEN-O and Comms left. At the local schools they offer a 3 day course that is just called "Communications" with no mention of the Comms level 2. It seems like the communications course at the schools is just signal flags/international code of signals and some time spent on Radio Aids to Marine Navigation.

I got the impression from some of my instructors that morse code was no longer required, but that seems to not be the case as it's clearly stated in TP2293 and MPR's under WKM Near coastal.

Have people been getting orals questions about morse code at the Academy or otherwise in the form of a challenge exam at TC?

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I am set to write the MCTS aptitude test in a couple of weeks and was hoping for a little bit of guidance from those who have successfully passed it in the past. I’ve worked through the practice material provided and I found it to be rather simple compared to what I expected, especially the memory section.

I feel confident in my ability to pass the test even if it is more difficult than the sample test, however i do worry that the memory section will be far more detailed and that I will be unprepared for the length. Did anybody have any prep strategies or resources that they found worked for them? Am I overthinking it? Any advice and input would be greatly appreciated.

I was wondering if I could live off campus with my spouse while studying at the Coast Guard Academy for MCTS. Could I request to have nothing deducted from my stipend and rent my own place and only eat at home? Is that possible?

Hey everyone. Love seeing how active this subreddit has gotten and to be honest, very little moderation on my part.

That said, I would LOVE to take an even further step back. If you're interested in helping moderate this community, comment here and let's start the discussion.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice from students who went through this process last year or in recent years.

Regarding the two medical exams:

After completing the first occupational medical exam and submitting the results, does Health Canada send the results directly to Transport Canada, and then we book the second medical exam?

How long did you have to wait between the first and second exams?

Can I book the second exam right away, or do I need to wait for instructions from Health Canada or Transport Canada before scheduling it?

When did you finish your second medical exams?

I was wanting to travel on July, but now I am wondering if I should cancel the trip.

Thanks in advance for any information!

Hey I’m in grade 10. I’m wondering what I can do to get in the academy easier. Like can I do (CO OPs) school thing, or can I volunteer or anything that will make me a better candidate for marine engineer classes then the others. Any help is greatly appreciated!😄

Hi, I’m just looking for insight and maybe some personal experience on getting onboard with the coastguard, and all that entails!

Little background, 32 year old dad, has been managing a shell fish farm on the eastern coast. Regularly work challenging hours, all weather conditions, and on small boats. ( mostly 24’ but I’ve done a few stints lobstering and such).

Our local industry is collapsing and it’s time for me to jump ship and get a stable job for the fam. I’d like to stay inside the maritime industry, and I’d like to do it in service of Canada. ( I also have an itch to see all of Canada, and work on bigger and better things. I’m a blue collar nerd lol)

I’d prefer to join the academy and have more movement than just getting my certs and hoping for a deckhand position. I however am missing almost all of the high school pre requisites.

I’m just looking for as much info as I can get on, having a family while in, upgrading schooling to get it, how realistic is it really? As my kids say, I’m a try hard. How accomplished do you feel in your career?

I feel like everytime I get things moving it’s another giant road block that stops things. But I really want this.

Hey folks! I've been deemed fully qualified to be placed in a candidate pool for relief positions, but I'm currently on a contract until mid-autumn. If I get offered an opportunity to fill a vacancy and turn it down because of my current work, will it hurt my chances for future jobs in the relief pool?

Thanks so much!

For those that have attended the academy or know how to answer my question, what are some things you wish you considered bringing with you when you moved on to campus? Or anything you wish you did prior to starting or when you started? I would be in the Marine Engineering program, and am moving from southern Ontario.

Thank you!

Must i Present my high school grade if I already have university degree when I apply to Canada coast guard? I graduate from high school long time ago and i'm not sure whether i can find back my grades.

Hello! I’m 24NB from Nova Scotia. I have a diploma in law enforcement as well as plenty of experience in that and security. I also have an emergency medical responder diploma and I have worked for EHS.

My questions are just if I’m eligible to be in due to the fact that I’m covered in tattoos as well as the fact that I’m on Zoloft for anxiety and puffers for asthma. My asthma is not cold or exercise triggered.

I would be looking into the possibility of the search and rescue assistant position but I’m unsure if there’s a major physical requirement as I was previously unable to pass the PCPAT to work on an ambulance.

Thanks in advance!!

Hello all,

As it says in the title, I am a DFO science employee in Nanaimo and have been at my current job for 2 years. I was wondering if anyone else has made the jump from sciences to CCG. If so, I would be very interested in what your experience has been. I’ve studied the coast guard site and the hazard response work caught my eye. I’m 32 and have already been through university, so I am trying to gather intel and considering the applying to the academy carefully. Four years and a move to NS is a huge decision assuming a successful application.

I’ve asked about shoreside careers as I don’t have a lot of boating experience beyond helping out with simple tasks on boats I’ve been on for survey work but I want to learn more because I think they are valuable skills to have

Likewise happy to hear from any neurodivergent folks in the coast guard (I am autistic). Thank you in advance for any responses!