NationStates Jolt Archive

specifically the Coast Guard.

Right now, I'm debating if I should just finish the two to three years I have left in college, or just leave and enlist right now. The enthusiasm I had for college during my freshman year is pretty much gone, I guess I lost it somewhere during my second year.

Why the Coast Guard you may ask? Because I've always wanted to work on boats and it seems to be the best branch to gain law enforcement experience.

Since the nearest CG recruiter is a hour and a half drive away, I might as try to gain some insights here before I go to them.

Anyone here a former Coastie or currently with them? Any insights on life in the service? I'm thinking of signing up as a BM.

How long are deployments, lets say on a cutter?

SpudCommando;12941323']Right now, I'm debating if I should just finish the two to three years I have left in college, or just leave and enlist right now. The enthusiasm I had for college during my freshman year is pretty much gone, I guess I lost it somewhere during my second year.

As former Army I'd suggest toughing it out and finishing your degree. I'm pretty sure you get promotion points for civilian education in the CG like we did in the Army. Either way it's better to have it before you go in, so that if you decide to get out after your first enlistment you'll have a lot more options.

If you're really interested in the military I'd suggest trying the Coast Guard Reserve first. If you decide you really like it it's not hard to go active duty. If you go active duty first and decide it's not really your thing you're stuck with it. At least with the Reserve it's not a 24/7 part of your life if you decide you don't like it.

Exactly and I totaly agree. But, you can't pick a real military branch? j/k

Oh, and call the recruiter and see if you can get him to come pick you up. I'm not sure how hard up they are for recruits, but I know the local Guard recruiter and he'll go about 45 mins away to talk to people.

You have fun selling your soul to the US gov't.

If I'm ever on a shipwreck or something, could ya come pick me up? You have fun selling your sell to the US gov't.

Quoted before the edit. :p

I sure did but I don't know how fun the Coast Guard will be.

Oh, and call the recruiter and see if you can get him to come pick you up. I'm not sure how hard up they are for recruits, but I know the local Guard recruiter and he'll go about 45 mins away to talk to people.

They can do that? That would save me from driving on the LA freeways. This might be a stupid question, but is boot camp the same for AD and reservists?

I sure did but I don't know how fun the Coast Guard will be.

Well, what other branch allows you to chase down smugglers on high speed boats or arrest intoxicated people? That's always fun.:D

Quoted before the edit. :p

crap! :p thanks a lot, make me look bad hah.

I sure did but I don't know how fun the Coast Guard will be.

I have known several people that have served in the CG. They said they rather enjoyed it. Another thing to think about the CG does not get into the combat other branches tend to see. Of course they are in combat zones but don't get into it as the other services.

Just one way of serving your nation, there are many others.

Is the Coast Guard decent as a launching platform into college if you can't afford college as it stands right now? I've been considering it as well.

SpudCommando;12941352']They can do that? That would save me from driving on the LA freeways. This might be a stupid question, but is boot camp the same for AD and reservists?

Very likely. Just tell them that it'd be hard for you to get out there. Car troubles or something. They've got a few cars with US Govt plates on them and a government credit card to buy gas with. All it means to them is time, and I'm sure they'd like to get out of the office occasionally.

ohgoodlord dont talk to the recruiter before you have decided to join.

go to a coast guard station and talk to some people who work there. see if you like the kind of people who join the coast guard. figure out if you would like the kind of work they do.

if you decide that its for you, THEN go see the recruiter.

no, dont wait until you finish college. there is no sense being miserable for 2 or 3 years while you force yourself to get a degree. there is more than time enough for that when you get out of the coast guard.

At least you should be able to get your hands on some decent drugs...

and you can get your hands on huge amounts of drugs. best. service. evar.

and you can get your hands on huge amounts of drugs. best. service. evar.

Great minds think alike

SpudCommando;12941323']specifically the Coast Guard.

Right now, I'm debating if I should just finish the two to three years I have left in college, or just leave and enlist right now. The enthusiasm I had for college during my freshman year is pretty much gone, I guess I lost it somewhere during my second year.

Why the Coast Guard you may ask? Because I've always wanted to work on boats and it seems to be the best branch to gain law enforcement experience.

Since the nearest CG recruiter is a hour and a half drive away, I might as try to gain some insights here before I go to them.

Anyone here a former Coastie or currently with them? Any insights on life in the service? I'm thinking of signing up as a BM.

How long are deployments, lets say on a cutter?

Hey I am no fan of the millitary but if there is a branch that would be best to go into I would pick the coast guard... they save a tone of lives each year

Great minds think alike

so it seems ;)

For the love of all that's holy, wait until Bush is out of office before you enlist!

I warned a friend of mine not to enlist during a Bush term, but he ignored my vital advice. A month later, Bush declared war on Iraq -- he's been there three times so far.

I know there are CG currently in Iraq, but the chances of acutally being deployed to Iraq seem to be pretty small. Even if I get sent to Iraq, chances are I'll spend most of that time inside a cutter.

Make sure you know how to swim.

For the love of all that's holy, wait until Bush is out of office before you enlist!

I warned a friend of mine not to enlist during a Bush term, but he ignored my vital advice. A month later, Bush declared war on Iraq -- he's been there three times so far.

I think the words you're looking for are "revealed his long-planned, long-desired illegal invasion of Iraq."

Only Congress can declare war. No war was declared.

Check you can actually swim first, and you don't get seasick. :D

Cg isn't the military. Before Sept 11 they were under the dept of transportation after the trade center fell they got rolled into the Dept of Homeland Security. Not saying that they don't fight or die for the US...they are more akin to the Police than the Soldier. That said I have a friend who is in the CG and loves it. Good luck and god speed...not sure how fast god moves though.

I'm also looking into the Air Force. Does anyone have any experience with their Security Forces? I've heard of them being described as glorified security guards, just wondering how true that was.

Good luck with the Coast Guard!

And you ever get a distress call from a Russian whaling ship, TURN THE BOAT AROUND.

:D

SpudCommando;12941323']specifically the Coast Guard.

Right now, I'm debating if I should just finish the two to three years I have left in college, or just leave and enlist right now. The enthusiasm I had for college during my freshman year is pretty much gone, I guess I lost it somewhere during my second year.

Why the Coast Guard you may ask? Because I've always wanted to work on boats and it seems to be the best branch to gain law enforcement experience.

Since the nearest CG recruiter is a hour and a half drive away, I might as try to gain some insights here before I go to them.

Anyone here a former Coastie or currently with them? Any insights on life in the service? I'm thinking of signing up as a BM.

How long are deployments, lets say on a cutter?

Good for you. And now, I must go back into hiding....

SpudCommando;12941352']



Well, what other branch allows you to chase down smugglers on high speed boats or arrest intoxicated people? That's always fun.:D

Miami Vice?

You know, those recent "Army Strong" commercials really did help serve as an inspiration to me, it just didn't inspire me to join the Army.

Anyways, I've got my ASVAB scheduled for next week, now I'm going to catch up on some Math I haven't done in years.

I'm sorry, how is this an issue? Spend two to three years drinking, partying, being promiscuous and occassionally doing something academic, or go out to work....hmm, difficult question that.:rolleyes: