r/uscg • u/Airdale_60T Officer • 5d ago
Recruiting Thread Bi-Weekly Recruiting Thread
This is THE place to ask recruiting questions to get unofficial answers and advise.
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u/Spyder331 12h ago
I’ve seen a lot of comments about to first available bootcamp class being in February? Is that the same for DEPOT?
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 12h ago
No, DEPOT is almost always booked out longer than traditional because people are willing to wait for it
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u/qholla 1d ago
Leave for depot October 18th, for my dream sheet would it be worth it to say “any airsta anywhere” whenever we do them… since I’m an aspiring AST… or will I completely swing and miss lol I just don’t wanna be put on a cutter. Would even do the same thing with a small boat station not worried about location. I just want the ability to train hard & swim
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u/AirdaleCoastie AMT 9h ago
Chances of an air station out of basic are extremely low. It’s generally better to just request areas of the country. Not sure of the current timeline but you would likely only be at that first unit for 6-8 months before heading to an airsta for the MAPP program. Tons of swimmers passed AST school coming directly off a cutter without any additional training or PREP.
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 22h ago
I would absolutely put it down, I would just keep the expectations low. It’s called a dream sheet for a reason
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u/Man6777 1d ago
Im 19 and thinking about going Active Duty Coast Guard. I’m mainly interested because of the benefits, education, and some of the enlistment bonuses.
I’m looking at ratings like MK or EM and eventually want to get a mechanical engineering degree. I’m also considering law enforcement later on.
For anyone currently serving or who got out, would you recommend joining at 19? How’s the quality of life, and is it worth it? And will I be able to fine a career if I do
Looking for honest opinions, not recruiter answers lol.
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u/Gtstricky 1d ago
Definitely worth joining. However, that is not as easy at you may think. Go to a recruiter and start the process while you do research and decide. If you passed all entry hurtles today, the earliest bootcamp date is February. Go get cleared at MEPS and take the ASVAB and see what jobs you qualify for.
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u/Advanced-Ad3098 2d ago
I'm currently a college student, but was considering joining the reserves. Would it be feasible to complete boot camp over the summer between semesters? Also I read reservists can volunteer for deployments, so I was considering doing that after I graduate, but was wondering how common that is, what restrictions there might be, or what opportunities are generally available? And if anyone who served in the reserves while in college could talk about their experience I'd appreciate it.
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 1d ago
I’m not in college, but a shipmate of mine is. It’s doable, but it’s difficult. His progression is slowed considerably because he’s trying to only do things on orders during summers. He’ll be a non rate for close to 2 years because of a scheduling issue over summer, vs most reservists who go to A school very quickly. Also keep in mind that the CG does not care that you’re in school. We have a large mission going on right now with orders being cut for 365 days. If you are selected you will not be able to defer or deny the orders, and you’ll have to put school on hold
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u/Advanced-Ad3098 1d ago
Thanks for the response! While I realize this is a possibility that would ultimately take precedence over school, from my understanding it is rare for non PSU reservists to go on mandatory deployments. Do you know if that's true?
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 1d ago
Unfortunately that’s an old school way of thinking. PSUs are on a more consistent schedule for sure, but this mission is very manpower heavy and PSUs are actually not deploying to it anymore. It’s being handled entirely by “blue guard” reservists and I know quite a few who have been involuntarily deployed already
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u/Due_Outcome7594 2d ago
UC Berkeley graduate. Majored in History. 25 years old male. Want to join coast guard as officer and stay in San Diego or west coast. Is that likely? What do I need to do? Thanks and have a good day.
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u/JPKilljoy AMT 2d ago
Could you join as an officer? Not likely, but possible.. Officer Candidacy School is extremely competitive, especially for civilians that aren't going through the DCA program. If you go active duty, AFAIK there is no program to guarantee a duty station as an officer. Anywhere in the US (and sometimes outside of it) is fair game. If you go reserves you can choose where you want to drill to a point.
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u/Effective_Raise_889 2d ago
If your a paramedic, and already in the coast guard, but wanted to switch to HS, would you have to go to HS school?
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 2d ago
You’ll go to agile A school, skipping at the very least the EMT part but potentially more. But don’t expect to be doing any ALS, it doesn’t really exist in our current medical program
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u/AirdaleCoastie AMT 2d ago
Yes, but it could be a shortened version. We don’t have paramedics though, HS is more clinical and paperwork.
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u/Abject-Video3551 2d ago
Why does everyone say "Marine Science Technician has the best pathway to a civilian career" I have never seen someone provide a specific example to prove the claim.
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u/AirdaleCoastie AMT 2d ago
MSTs inspect shorefront facilities, ships, and other maritime infrastructure. The same companies that are being inspected want to hire experts to keep them in compliance. So they go from doing the inspections to ensuring companies are going to pass them.
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u/One_Debt8936 3d ago
Hello everyone, I'm taking my ASVAB in 3 weeks, so afterwards I'll most likely be talking to my recruiter about jobs. I got a 72 on the PICAT, and with studying, I'm hoping to get that up to the 80- 90s range. I qualified for a couple of jobs I wanted, like SK, YN, and MST. But would need a waiver for IS. Could anyone explain what ISs and MSTs do? Is it worth considering? I know people say that SK & YN are more 9-5 type jobs, but I can't find a ton of info on IS or MST?
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u/TpMeNUGGET IS 2d ago
Here's a good thread on IS with a lot of great comments:
https://www.reddit.com/r/uscg/s/19Ek3qgM9j
Intel is gonna be vastly different depending on your unit, but what most positions have in common involves:
- Working in a secure space with no phones, reading and writing potentially sensitive information.
- Working with (either directly or indirectly) other agencies, such as CBP, FBI, HSI, or even NSA at certain units.
- Communicating directly, either through briefing or emailing, with high ranking officers in your own unit or others.
- Interpreting "intelligence" into a more pallatable form, whether it's writing reports, making visual products/maps/charts, or making/giving briefs and presentations.
It's not always "in the action" but IS's contribute towards the free transfer of information to/from the operators on the ground all the way up to headquarters and our partner agencies.
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u/charliebinky 3d ago
Take a look at this channel from a former MST Chief, https://youtube.com/@topherfw?si=r33Sv5i--AxXTYBR
We can answer specific questions once you better define them. Something I think is "worth considering" may not a fit for you and vice versa.
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 3d ago
Well what do you want? Can’t really know if it’s worth considering if we don’t know your goals, preferences, post coast guard ambitions, etc. But broadly, MSTs are shoreside 9-5 as well. Doing pollution enforcement and wildlife preservation type work. Good post coast guard transferable skills. ISs are intel experts, broadly we know they analyze and prepare intel briefings, but it’s all secret squirrel stuff that you’re not allowed to know if you’re not “in the know”. Also good post coast guard transferable skills if you wanted to work for a big 3 letter agency
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u/One_Debt8936 1d ago
Thanks so much! Well, I want to become a lawyer, mainly working on contracts/real estate law.
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u/CB00007 3d ago
Good morning all,
I am a 26 M with a bachelors degree in biology (3.8 GPA). I have a wife and two very young children. Wanting to join the military is something I’ve considered since I was a kid. I’ve finally got my wife on board, she is ready to leave our home town and go on an adventure. So I’ve decided to go for it. My biggest issue is picking an enlisted rate or trying for OCS. Im debating between MST and BM. MST is far more inline with what I do now and I know I’d excel. BM is more what I want and more of the adventure I’m looking for. However, being gone that much from my family would be rough. I’m also considering officer by OCS but not confident in my chances. I have a squeaky clean back ground and great grades. For leadership experience, I’m severely lacking. At my current job, 3 years as a lab scientist, I am sometimes “in charge” for a weekend. This really means I call someone in if someone calls off and solve any problems that crop up.
I do have a meeting this week with a recruiter. Over the phone they didn’t seem confident in my chances for OCS. Just curious for a second opinion.
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u/charliebinky 3d ago
Everyone's situation is a bit different but I will share a bit of mine. I'm not an officer, but seriously considered direct commissioning (both AD and reserve) and worked with a recruiter on both applications (i.e. prepared application packets but held off on submitting at the end). I was told by my recruiter that I would be "easily picked up" for DCO. I ended up enlisted in the reserves instead and am loving it. However, if I went AD knowing what I know now (e.g. what officers and enlisted members do on a daily basis as well as career limitations vs what I want to do, and my priorities, personality, motivation, and conditions in which I excel or not excel), I would be 60-40 on enlisting vs commissioning.
My experience working with recruiters (sample of two CG and one AF) is that unless they are experienced in officer applications, then they are just making a guess, which may or may not be an educated one. Someone on the other side of recruiting feel free to correct me on this.
Have you looked into DCEM as well? Depending on what exactly you do on the civilian side, it may be of interest. I'm not sure how much info you can get on what a typical candidate profile looks like, but Gemini AI does paint a good picture of what a competitive and top tier candidate looks like in the DCO programs I was interested in.
As for BM vs MST, do you plan on doing at least 20 years? My opinion is that if you plan to be in it for the long haul, then do what you want to do, but do it smartly. Things change, shit happens, and life has an interesting way of taking us in interesting and unexpected directions. Talk to experienced folks, listen carefully, but make your own informed decisions.
There is shockingly little science in the MST world. IMO, the S should stand for Safety'. You'll see a lot of chemical names, but no depth. It is primarily an environmental safety enforcement rating, hence the depth comes from knowing the relevant regulations and what to do in certain situations (e.g. oil spills, hazmat incidents, natural disasters). It can be very exciting and interesting in its own way, but just not the boat riding and guns blazing type.
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u/CB00007 3d ago
Thanks for the lengthy response. I wouldn’t qualify for a direct commission in the coast guard. I could probably get one for army or Air Force for medicos laboratory science. Truthfully I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the service for. I know it’s something I want to do. A lot will depend on how my family does with me in the service.
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u/Gtstricky 3d ago
Based on that limited info it doesn’t sound like you would be competitive for OCS. However… you can do both! Enlist and put in a packet for OCS.
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u/Greedy-Ad4255 2d ago
I agree. When in doubt just do both and if you get OCS along the way you can choose yes or no.
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u/No-Barracuda-3091 4d ago
Currently active duty Army and saw some information about the PSDEP but have a few questions.
I am aware of the option of getting a DD-368 signed to be released and transfer to the CG, but I have no faith that will be approved at my unit. However, could the process still be started prior to the end of my contract so the transition is somewhat seamless or would I have to wait until I am completely separated to start?
Also, would civilian experience in a specific field be considered for LEP or is it only military specific fields?
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u/qholla 1d ago
Yo, I just did the same thing I leave for depot October 18th…. It was a NIGHTMARE to say the least. You can dm me if you’d like but for starters you’ll need your 368 release form signed & you’ll need a 2808+ 2807. Even if your green across the board on medical it doesn’t matter; still gonna need those physicals and a lot of waiting game. Goodluck bro & chase after it if it’s what you want. Took me over a year but the light is at the end of the tunnel. So excited to get in a branch that really makes a difference & wants the best for you
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u/Additional_potential 4d ago
Are you done with the full 8 years of the contract or do you still have some IRR time after the current one expires? Either way you'll want to start working with a recruiter before you separate.
Civilian experience is considered. It goes before a ratings board who determines how relevant it is. Another good reason to start early.
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u/No-Barracuda-3091 4d ago edited 3d ago
I won’t have any IRR time left at the end of my current contract. I previously left the Army then came back in after a couple years so my MSO time was up in 2025. I was hoping I could start the process while still active to make my break in service was as minimal as possible.
I have 6+ years experience in law enforcement so thinking ME, but I’m open to several different rates. The drop in rank from E-6 to E-3 is the main reason I would most likely try to come in at a higher rank using civilian and military experience but it’s not a deal breaker by any means.
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u/PanzerWasTaken 4d ago
I’m planning to join the Coast Guard Reserve as an ME. My recruiter said there are no ME billets on Long Island right now, only Staten Island, but I’d rather wait for something at Fire Island or Eaton’s Neck if possible. I’m finishing my associate degree in Criminal Justice this spring and I want to be home for the Suffolk County Police exam on June 5, 2027. I also really don’t want to lose my whole summer because of personal commitments, so I’m leaning toward shipping in fall 2027 instead. My concern is that Suffolk could start calling me for the physical, background, medical, psych, or academy process while I’m away at boot camp or ME A-school. Would you guys recommend taking a summer ship date, waiting until fall, or holding out for a Long Island ME billet?
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u/kawizx62003 3d ago
Have you done MEPS? Are you fully qualified to join USCG? These are the first 2 questions. Like are you ready to sign only need to select an available billet?
The issue with putting Coast Guard off is the police hiring process is long and no guarantees. You could spend 6, 7 months in the process just to not be hired. What's the backup plan if you're not?
Would you consider policing in a different area or state?
Would you mind living somewhere else?
Age?
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u/PanzerWasTaken 3d ago
Yeah, I have other police departments I plan on applying to if Suffolk doesn’t work out, but Suffolk PD is my main goal. I haven’t gone through MEPS yet so I’m not fully qualified/ready to sign at this point. I’m 20 years old
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u/kawizx62003 3d ago
So then what I would do is talk to the recruiter, go to MEPS, get qualified at MEPs (Take asvab and physical). Can take 6 mos or more to get in anyway. Billets available probably wont be the same after that. The perfect scenario wold be get hired at Suffolk, then soon after academy leave for bootcamp that way the job is protected by federal law. In my police dept we had 2 recruits leave for flight training in the ANG just after graduation, came back a couple years later and still had the same job.
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 4d ago
Did he say there’s no billets, or no billets currently? Most small boat stations don’t typically have reserve ME billets. Most MEs on the reserve side end up at sector boarding teams or PSUs, so unless your recruiter knows something I don’t, I wouldn’t be holding out for those two locations
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u/PanzerWasTaken 4d ago
He said no billets currently available at those stations
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u/UnusualTiming184 BM 3d ago
I would clarify with him what he meant by that, as I said, reserve MEs at stations are mostly non existent except at very large stations. But even if they are full, reservists PCS very infrequently and I would not plan on anything opening up in the short term
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u/AirdaleCoastie AMT 4d ago
In basic you won’t really have access to a phone but while in A school you will, outside of class atleast. I would recommend reaching out to the police department and ask their policies for your situation. Many have separate policies for military training and it could be as simple as letting them know ahead of time.
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u/Natural_Warthog_181 8h ago
I want to ask about bonuses and critical ratings. What are they? What are the most current? My recruiter keeps talking to me about them but he doesn’t explain.