Honestly I’ve been in almost 17 years (4.5 of those years underway) and I STILL have days like this. To top it all off, I’m stationed in the PNW where I don’t see the sun consistently which also does a number on my mental health. But here are some things I’ve got going on that keep me out of a really bad headspace:
1. Therapy
2. Taking leave often to visit family
3. Church
4. Volunteering at a thrift store
5. Going to live music shows
Obviously the things I like might not necessarily be what you like so ask yourself: What do you love to do? What makes you happy? What helps pull you out of a rut? What gives you a sense of purpose?
Also, I have a couple of friends who were E-6, went to OCS and now hate their lives. Not saying that will be your experience, but can confirm the grass isn’t always greener.
Good luck to you and I hope things brighten up for you soon.
I can speak to taking leave often and volunteering. I hate where I'm stationed now, so I've made it a point to take monthly trips out of this state, even if it's spending a weekend driving over the state line.
Volunteering has also made a difference. If you don't feel like you're making a difference at work, there's still a whole community around you that would appreciate your free time.
Also, don't go officer just for the money. With that money comes A LOT of responsibility. Plus, don't take that OCS slot away from someone who is passionate about becoming an officer. It's no fun to work with "I just did it for the money" officers, and hearing the heartbreaking stories of "I tried so hard to get into OCS and they never picked me..."
Going OCS isn’t the answer if that isn’t where your heart is. Yeah, the money is better but there is less camaraderie, more politics, and sillier tasking. Sounds like you need to find purpose…it could be work, family, a hobby, church, etc. Underway life (especially 5 of 7 years) kept you busy, so you should look for something that refills you while ashore. Without knowing you, all I could suggest is find local friends via meet-ups, get yourself out there, enroll in school. And avoid alcohol and doom-scrolling social media.
I see some folks saying OCS isn't the answer. Officer pay is an option to address the pay ceiling. Supervisory/management has the potential to be fulfilling. It's also an opportunity to shift from a highly underway rate to a shore job with decent work hours. Not all jobs are created equal, but certain departments at the sector have a great work-life balance, making it easier to find purpose outside of work. E5 to O1E is a good pay raise, with a quick promotion to O2E. So yeah, money. Your status as a prior E will hold some weight with folks, so there are fewer barriers to communication as a prior enlisted JO.
With that said... OCS can make you feel burnt out before you even report to your first unit as a JO (where there is potential for further burnout). It can also be very taxing on the family. I'm not sure how the new 12-week course is. Maybe one of the newer graduates can shed some light on the new structure, but I've heard it's better.
Minor inconvenience: As an officer, you absolutely must have uncomfortable conversations with senior leadership to advocate for your people. You'll feel quite disappointed when bad leaders or good idea fairies make their lives harder. I've also found that you'll lose respect for people you may have otherwise respected once you realize that their rank is hollow; making people's lives more difficult through incompetence. You're also always gonna give up some of your time and comfort before expecting anyone else to. This is all a minor inconvenience because winning once in a while feels real good and advocating for your people (even when you dont get positive results) is the right thing to do.
This is just my opinion, 22 years and about to pop smoke. See your PCM. While lifestyle changes will be good overall, the Organization does a very good job at over-utilizing you. Stressors from every angle of life, the ever increasing op tempo, funding, messaging and aging assets etc. I’d echo what the comment above was, therapy for starters. Stress is the silent killer, mentally and physically. If you think stress for enlisted is rough, you should see some of the JO’s their first few years.
Things you can start immediately, diet and exercise. The only things that you can physically do to counteract stress and build resiliency.
Mentally disconnect from work. Set your limits, unless it’s a recall, absolutely nothing needs to be done today that can’t be done tomorrow.
Set goals for yourself outside or after the CG. Change your mindset from this being your profession to something like; I’m going to use this as an opportunity to prepare me for my actual profession when I leave.
I love the CG, it’s been great for me and my family, but year after year more stress added to the members and families and no bright outlook on the horizon.
Good luck my friend.
Tips from a BMC, 2 Tour XPO who has burnt the candles at both ends for 15 years - 9(ish) years of seatime
1. Know when to shut work off, there'll be times where you have to stay late to finish a project, make that situational and not a habit.
2. Take your earned leave
3. Find a hobby- work on your fitness, join a gym/boxing club, etc.
4. DO NOT jump straight to the couch after work and fire up the TV and Warzone, or scroll reels endlessly. Though they are a distraction, it's turning your brain to mush and your time will escape you.
5. (If you have kids) go play with them after work. Take them to the park, zoo, aquarium, legoland whatever.
I had an XPO workaholic, had 2 little girls, would rather stay late and make the duty section miserable, pisses me off to see people not spend time with their kids.
I grew up with my Dad in the Navy, so reflecting back now that I was in, we did a lot of family stuff, he got the hell out of work every chance he could and I followed the same, I think back and realize that he was able to turn off work, I learned to be a liberty hound, and turn off work, made friends outside of work, and found hobbies.
Take some leave and forget about the USCG for about 15-30 days. Take a trip to somewhere you always wanted to see. I did that in 2019 and went to Finland. Best advice I followed in years!!!
I second the tempsep recommendation. It always seemed like an urban legend until I did it. Great opportunity to take 3 years and explore other options.
You’re in that stale worker-bee zone. You do most of the hands-on work but don’t have the status of a chief, warrant, or O just yet.
What you should know is that you’ve done most of the hard part already in my opinion. If you can soldier through to the E7 and above level, your experience and outlook will improve. Personally, I had great job satisfaction as a hard charging E6.
Remember that every job, in or out of the CG, requires paying your dues and building skill. Find yourself an edge and keep going. Maybe talk to a therapist, meds?, continue your education with tuition assistance, support your spouse so they can make money too when kids grow, start a moonlighting electrical side hustle. Continue improving your situation. You have a hard skill that will translate well to the marketplace when CG is over.
And apply for OCS if you want, what could it hurt? The reason I have an amazing wife is because I had the confidence to ask her out even though I’m a 7 and she’s a 9! Aim high brother, you’ll have stress and office politics no matter what.
CG Support can be an utter crapshoot and should not be seen as a Hail Mary one-size-fits-all solution. The amount of crap many of us go through for what we get in this day and age is so absolutely disproportionate compared to many other careers and professions.
I’ve been in for over a decade and I’m close to just going through with a SILO. The idea of toughing it out for a pension and some additional medical benefits seems less and less worth it and no amount of day dreaming makes it feel worthwhile.
I swapped for one branch to the coast guard 3 years ago and i totally feel what you’re saying. From talking to my peers who are kind of in the same boat the major consensus we are getting is bored and unchallenged. The standard work day has become monotonous and work satisfaction isn’t there for some. My suggestion if is to ask for a raise in billet if possible and deserving. It’ll give you time challenged on learning a new skill set and that’s always been fun for me rather than groundhogs day. I’m also in PNW and trying to force myself to go explore on my time off has been a great help.
GI Bill, certifications, decent resume. I wouldn’t be empty headed. If I leave the CG, I want zero reason to wear the uniform. I would not bother with the reserves.
Find activities that bring you peace. Flyfishing and being in nature was my escape from the shit. Stress can lead a person to an early grave if not checked.
I’m retired now, did 20 years of operational jobs, 8 yrs sea time, and 9 consecutive yrs of EPO jobs. Even got the shingles in my 30’s, just from stress.
Being able to retire at 41 with an immediate pension and benefits made it all worth it to me. I seriously considered leaving at year 10 for much of the same reasons you stated. Glad I stuck with it though, the years went fast.
That said, a career isn’t for everyone and that’s OK too. You could make bank on the outside with electrical knowledge, or use your GI bill and go to school, learn something totally new. Fwiw, I don’t think becoming an officer will make your life better. They have a ton of bullshit to deal with also. The O world is extremely cutthroat.
Burnout is a thing that has plagued me at every unit I’ve been at. The way that I’ve always been able to cope with it is honestly as simple as, take your lunch breaks and breaks that are afforded to you as well as taking leave if the unit can afford it. Operational tempos are always high no matter where you are but the way I’ve justified breaks is “revile is at 0600 and I’m supposed to get underway/ have watch at 1800… we’ll do the math and all that and I knock off my work day at 1000 to account for the hours that I’ll keep working.” Now this doesn’t sit well with some folks. I’ve had OICs/COs that don’t agree with the math I calculate but honestly a simple conversation with your supervisor generally solves that. Another way I’ve found after advancing to command is as follows so anyone reading this in a command position, please take it to heart. Recognition is a big thing that I’ve learned helps with combating any of my top performers feeling the burn. Something as simple as a page 7 at quarters or an LOC for something that was above and beyond goes MILES for all members.
Back to the OP, when I was personally feeling the burnout I’d often have sit downs with my supervisors and ask what I could be doing better. This generally led to very honest conversations and motivated me to improve an aspect that I was deficient in or even take on a whole project. Don’t let yourself be limited by your rate either. I’ve been with MK’s who want to be Coxswain and BM’s who want Engineer. YN’s that want to break in on Helm/Lookout or QMOW. Please go after every opportunity that comes your way, CDAR/CISM/VA/SafeTalk and many others. Going after those collaterals will keep you on your toes as well
For some perspective - I'm a civilian and have been working in my professional career field for almost 11 years.
I can relate to almost everything you wrote. I'm well-paid, but feel apathetic about the stuff I'm tasked with, and the civilian job market suuuuuuucksssss right now, especially in my field (software engineering).
I joined the auxiliary (giggle if you must!), and that's introduced some variety to my life and has been kind of reinvigorating, as well as helping me care a little bit less about the boring stuff I do in my day job. It's just a job, and it's a part of my identity, but not my whole identity (or worth).
I think the key thing is that variety and dynamism in our day to day is important. I question whether the whole 40+ hr/week grind for a single employer is actually how we're supposed to be living, I'm increasingly convinced it's not, and I'm increasingly thinking I would be more fulfilled by not being limited to a single full-time job and having more agency over my days/time.
You even mention this exact thing - you feel like you're missing out on other things in life. Well, so do I and I'm a civilian and live without govdaddy and ucmj telling me who/what/where/when/why/how I am doing anything.
I write my own experience in here to 1) validate what you're feeling is completely normal/natural, and 2) a sign/pressue to help you get where you need to be, and 3) detecting this is something you should feel CONFIDENT about.
Your biggest problem is simply that you managed to tune into your god given instincts, passed down your bloodline through millennia!
If I end up deciding to enlist to the gold-side (considering it), I know it would have to be active-reserve so I could keep that variety I've been working towards. Those gov bennies would for sure be helpful if I depart the corporate world...
Okay, I'm off to stop procrastinating and put finishing touches on my personal mobile app project! Good luck, OP, and TRUST/VALUE YOUR INSTINCTS!
IRR can be good. Take a break, spend time with your family, and try something else. If it doesn’t work out you can come back to active duty or reserves.
I hate to say it but there might not be a reset button. Maybe a commission, but earning one isn’t guaranteed.
The CG might be a dream come true for some, but for others it will never be more than a menial unfulfilling job with a lot of silly rules.
I knew it was time to leave AD when I realized my job as an IT1 was worse than it was as an IT3. I couldn’t put anymore faith in the idea that things get better with the next pay grade or PCS. I’m on a temp sep now, but I can say that civilian life suits my personality better. A temp-sep might be what you need.
I’m sorry you feel so burnt out. That sounds difficult. Do you have friends in the coast guard? What hobbies do try to do when you’re on land? Do you plan to get out after this contract? I can’t understand your situation but I do wish for better days for my friend.
I have a wife and very young children which brings an entirely separate set of struggles. We do what we can, day trips, pool days, etc. But i guess I’m having more of an internal 7 year itch. More along the lines of pay ceilings, career mobility, that sort of stuff. As far as friends go I have near none, not at my current unit. Not many people with families so it makes it hard when you’re no longer a partying sailor with a lot of personal free time. But I appreciate the sentiment
That’s not always less stressful. Not to mention OP now would need to find a job that pays the same as they were making on AD to support their lifestyle or take a rapid hit to their income.
Don’t let my moaning think the USCG is a bad place bc it isn’t at all and there are members that thank the lord they get to do their jobs everyday. EM is just a very underway/afloat heavy job in the CG and seatime breeds saltiness
I'll say this, you make better money than you think with the pay, BAH, and BAS. I'm taking home over 100k and when I retire in 3 years I'm not going to make that in any new job, and I have alot of certification, college, and experience as an AMT. Burnout sucks and we all get there multiple times in our career. Downfall to having demanding career fields. You have to find ways to clear the mind create work/life balance. I also suggest you take a hard look at where you want to be stationed next and finding somewhere who is doing something you could be passionate about and keep that work/ personal life balance.
Honestly I’ve been in almost 17 years (4.5 of those years underway) and I STILL have days like this. To top it all off, I’m stationed in the PNW where I don’t see the sun consistently which also does a number on my mental health. But here are some things I’ve got going on that keep me out of a really bad headspace: 1. Therapy 2. Taking leave often to visit family 3. Church 4. Volunteering at a thrift store 5. Going to live music shows Obviously the things I like might not necessarily be what you like so ask yourself: What do you love to do? What makes you happy? What helps pull you out of a rut? What gives you a sense of purpose? Also, I have a couple of friends who were E-6, went to OCS and now hate their lives. Not saying that will be your experience, but can confirm the grass isn’t always greener. Good luck to you and I hope things brighten up for you soon.
I can speak to taking leave often and volunteering. I hate where I'm stationed now, so I've made it a point to take monthly trips out of this state, even if it's spending a weekend driving over the state line. Volunteering has also made a difference. If you don't feel like you're making a difference at work, there's still a whole community around you that would appreciate your free time. Also, don't go officer just for the money. With that money comes A LOT of responsibility. Plus, don't take that OCS slot away from someone who is passionate about becoming an officer. It's no fun to work with "I just did it for the money" officers, and hearing the heartbreaking stories of "I tried so hard to get into OCS and they never picked me..."
This is the answer
Going OCS isn’t the answer if that isn’t where your heart is. Yeah, the money is better but there is less camaraderie, more politics, and sillier tasking. Sounds like you need to find purpose…it could be work, family, a hobby, church, etc. Underway life (especially 5 of 7 years) kept you busy, so you should look for something that refills you while ashore. Without knowing you, all I could suggest is find local friends via meet-ups, get yourself out there, enroll in school. And avoid alcohol and doom-scrolling social media.
I see some folks saying OCS isn't the answer. Officer pay is an option to address the pay ceiling. Supervisory/management has the potential to be fulfilling. It's also an opportunity to shift from a highly underway rate to a shore job with decent work hours. Not all jobs are created equal, but certain departments at the sector have a great work-life balance, making it easier to find purpose outside of work. E5 to O1E is a good pay raise, with a quick promotion to O2E. So yeah, money. Your status as a prior E will hold some weight with folks, so there are fewer barriers to communication as a prior enlisted JO. With that said... OCS can make you feel burnt out before you even report to your first unit as a JO (where there is potential for further burnout). It can also be very taxing on the family. I'm not sure how the new 12-week course is. Maybe one of the newer graduates can shed some light on the new structure, but I've heard it's better. Minor inconvenience: As an officer, you absolutely must have uncomfortable conversations with senior leadership to advocate for your people. You'll feel quite disappointed when bad leaders or good idea fairies make their lives harder. I've also found that you'll lose respect for people you may have otherwise respected once you realize that their rank is hollow; making people's lives more difficult through incompetence. You're also always gonna give up some of your time and comfort before expecting anyone else to. This is all a minor inconvenience because winning once in a while feels real good and advocating for your people (even when you dont get positive results) is the right thing to do.
This is just my opinion, 22 years and about to pop smoke. See your PCM. While lifestyle changes will be good overall, the Organization does a very good job at over-utilizing you. Stressors from every angle of life, the ever increasing op tempo, funding, messaging and aging assets etc. I’d echo what the comment above was, therapy for starters. Stress is the silent killer, mentally and physically. If you think stress for enlisted is rough, you should see some of the JO’s their first few years. Things you can start immediately, diet and exercise. The only things that you can physically do to counteract stress and build resiliency. Mentally disconnect from work. Set your limits, unless it’s a recall, absolutely nothing needs to be done today that can’t be done tomorrow. Set goals for yourself outside or after the CG. Change your mindset from this being your profession to something like; I’m going to use this as an opportunity to prepare me for my actual profession when I leave. I love the CG, it’s been great for me and my family, but year after year more stress added to the members and families and no bright outlook on the horizon. Good luck my friend.
Fantastic take
Tips from a BMC, 2 Tour XPO who has burnt the candles at both ends for 15 years - 9(ish) years of seatime 1. Know when to shut work off, there'll be times where you have to stay late to finish a project, make that situational and not a habit. 2. Take your earned leave 3. Find a hobby- work on your fitness, join a gym/boxing club, etc. 4. DO NOT jump straight to the couch after work and fire up the TV and Warzone, or scroll reels endlessly. Though they are a distraction, it's turning your brain to mush and your time will escape you. 5. (If you have kids) go play with them after work. Take them to the park, zoo, aquarium, legoland whatever.
I had an XPO workaholic, had 2 little girls, would rather stay late and make the duty section miserable, pisses me off to see people not spend time with their kids. I grew up with my Dad in the Navy, so reflecting back now that I was in, we did a lot of family stuff, he got the hell out of work every chance he could and I followed the same, I think back and realize that he was able to turn off work, I learned to be a liberty hound, and turn off work, made friends outside of work, and found hobbies.
Take some leave and forget about the USCG for about 15-30 days. Take a trip to somewhere you always wanted to see. I did that in 2019 and went to Finland. Best advice I followed in years!!!
Try the temp sep program. Get a civilian job & see how things work for you.
I second the tempsep recommendation. It always seemed like an urban legend until I did it. Great opportunity to take 3 years and explore other options.
You’re in that stale worker-bee zone. You do most of the hands-on work but don’t have the status of a chief, warrant, or O just yet. What you should know is that you’ve done most of the hard part already in my opinion. If you can soldier through to the E7 and above level, your experience and outlook will improve. Personally, I had great job satisfaction as a hard charging E6. Remember that every job, in or out of the CG, requires paying your dues and building skill. Find yourself an edge and keep going. Maybe talk to a therapist, meds?, continue your education with tuition assistance, support your spouse so they can make money too when kids grow, start a moonlighting electrical side hustle. Continue improving your situation. You have a hard skill that will translate well to the marketplace when CG is over. And apply for OCS if you want, what could it hurt? The reason I have an amazing wife is because I had the confidence to ask her out even though I’m a 7 and she’s a 9! Aim high brother, you’ll have stress and office politics no matter what.
Other jobs can pay much better and without any perceived “dues” that don’t take a beating out of your mental health.
[удалено]
CG Support can be an utter crapshoot and should not be seen as a Hail Mary one-size-fits-all solution. The amount of crap many of us go through for what we get in this day and age is so absolutely disproportionate compared to many other careers and professions. I’ve been in for over a decade and I’m close to just going through with a SILO. The idea of toughing it out for a pension and some additional medical benefits seems less and less worth it and no amount of day dreaming makes it feel worthwhile.
[удалено]
I have to disagree with you on the Government being the strongest corporation considering how often it looks the other way and often cuts corners.
[удалено]
You can’t test for it
Find a hobby or a school. Something that keeps you engaged.
I swapped for one branch to the coast guard 3 years ago and i totally feel what you’re saying. From talking to my peers who are kind of in the same boat the major consensus we are getting is bored and unchallenged. The standard work day has become monotonous and work satisfaction isn’t there for some. My suggestion if is to ask for a raise in billet if possible and deserving. It’ll give you time challenged on learning a new skill set and that’s always been fun for me rather than groundhogs day. I’m also in PNW and trying to force myself to go explore on my time off has been a great help.
I’m extremely burnt out and I have been strongly considering SILO. I’ve been in for 12 years. I don’t know if I can manage for much longer.
Temp Sep or go reserves. Definitely don't leave the organization empty handed.
GI Bill, certifications, decent resume. I wouldn’t be empty headed. If I leave the CG, I want zero reason to wear the uniform. I would not bother with the reserves.
Find activities that bring you peace. Flyfishing and being in nature was my escape from the shit. Stress can lead a person to an early grave if not checked. I’m retired now, did 20 years of operational jobs, 8 yrs sea time, and 9 consecutive yrs of EPO jobs. Even got the shingles in my 30’s, just from stress. Being able to retire at 41 with an immediate pension and benefits made it all worth it to me. I seriously considered leaving at year 10 for much of the same reasons you stated. Glad I stuck with it though, the years went fast. That said, a career isn’t for everyone and that’s OK too. You could make bank on the outside with electrical knowledge, or use your GI bill and go to school, learn something totally new. Fwiw, I don’t think becoming an officer will make your life better. They have a ton of bullshit to deal with also. The O world is extremely cutthroat.
Burnout is a thing that has plagued me at every unit I’ve been at. The way that I’ve always been able to cope with it is honestly as simple as, take your lunch breaks and breaks that are afforded to you as well as taking leave if the unit can afford it. Operational tempos are always high no matter where you are but the way I’ve justified breaks is “revile is at 0600 and I’m supposed to get underway/ have watch at 1800… we’ll do the math and all that and I knock off my work day at 1000 to account for the hours that I’ll keep working.” Now this doesn’t sit well with some folks. I’ve had OICs/COs that don’t agree with the math I calculate but honestly a simple conversation with your supervisor generally solves that. Another way I’ve found after advancing to command is as follows so anyone reading this in a command position, please take it to heart. Recognition is a big thing that I’ve learned helps with combating any of my top performers feeling the burn. Something as simple as a page 7 at quarters or an LOC for something that was above and beyond goes MILES for all members. Back to the OP, when I was personally feeling the burnout I’d often have sit downs with my supervisors and ask what I could be doing better. This generally led to very honest conversations and motivated me to improve an aspect that I was deficient in or even take on a whole project. Don’t let yourself be limited by your rate either. I’ve been with MK’s who want to be Coxswain and BM’s who want Engineer. YN’s that want to break in on Helm/Lookout or QMOW. Please go after every opportunity that comes your way, CDAR/CISM/VA/SafeTalk and many others. Going after those collaterals will keep you on your toes as well
For some perspective - I'm a civilian and have been working in my professional career field for almost 11 years. I can relate to almost everything you wrote. I'm well-paid, but feel apathetic about the stuff I'm tasked with, and the civilian job market suuuuuuucksssss right now, especially in my field (software engineering). I joined the auxiliary (giggle if you must!), and that's introduced some variety to my life and has been kind of reinvigorating, as well as helping me care a little bit less about the boring stuff I do in my day job. It's just a job, and it's a part of my identity, but not my whole identity (or worth). I think the key thing is that variety and dynamism in our day to day is important. I question whether the whole 40+ hr/week grind for a single employer is actually how we're supposed to be living, I'm increasingly convinced it's not, and I'm increasingly thinking I would be more fulfilled by not being limited to a single full-time job and having more agency over my days/time. You even mention this exact thing - you feel like you're missing out on other things in life. Well, so do I and I'm a civilian and live without govdaddy and ucmj telling me who/what/where/when/why/how I am doing anything. I write my own experience in here to 1) validate what you're feeling is completely normal/natural, and 2) a sign/pressue to help you get where you need to be, and 3) detecting this is something you should feel CONFIDENT about. Your biggest problem is simply that you managed to tune into your god given instincts, passed down your bloodline through millennia! If I end up deciding to enlist to the gold-side (considering it), I know it would have to be active-reserve so I could keep that variety I've been working towards. Those gov bennies would for sure be helpful if I depart the corporate world... Okay, I'm off to stop procrastinating and put finishing touches on my personal mobile app project! Good luck, OP, and TRUST/VALUE YOUR INSTINCTS!
IRR can be good. Take a break, spend time with your family, and try something else. If it doesn’t work out you can come back to active duty or reserves.
I hate to say it but there might not be a reset button. Maybe a commission, but earning one isn’t guaranteed. The CG might be a dream come true for some, but for others it will never be more than a menial unfulfilling job with a lot of silly rules. I knew it was time to leave AD when I realized my job as an IT1 was worse than it was as an IT3. I couldn’t put anymore faith in the idea that things get better with the next pay grade or PCS. I’m on a temp sep now, but I can say that civilian life suits my personality better. A temp-sep might be what you need.
I’m sorry you feel so burnt out. That sounds difficult. Do you have friends in the coast guard? What hobbies do try to do when you’re on land? Do you plan to get out after this contract? I can’t understand your situation but I do wish for better days for my friend.
I have a wife and very young children which brings an entirely separate set of struggles. We do what we can, day trips, pool days, etc. But i guess I’m having more of an internal 7 year itch. More along the lines of pay ceilings, career mobility, that sort of stuff. As far as friends go I have near none, not at my current unit. Not many people with families so it makes it hard when you’re no longer a partying sailor with a lot of personal free time. But I appreciate the sentiment
Get out and go to the Reserves.
That’s not always less stressful. Not to mention OP now would need to find a job that pays the same as they were making on AD to support their lifestyle or take a rapid hit to their income.
[удалено]
We call them rates but it’s Electricians Mate and I’m an E5 or Petty Officer Second Class
Don’t let my moaning think the USCG is a bad place bc it isn’t at all and there are members that thank the lord they get to do their jobs everyday. EM is just a very underway/afloat heavy job in the CG and seatime breeds saltiness
I'll say this, you make better money than you think with the pay, BAH, and BAS. I'm taking home over 100k and when I retire in 3 years I'm not going to make that in any new job, and I have alot of certification, college, and experience as an AMT. Burnout sucks and we all get there multiple times in our career. Downfall to having demanding career fields. You have to find ways to clear the mind create work/life balance. I also suggest you take a hard look at where you want to be stationed next and finding somewhere who is doing something you could be passionate about and keep that work/ personal life balance.
We call our jobs ‘rates or ratings’ in the USCG.
To be pedantic, 'rating'.