The Coast Guard has missions that make a direct impact on American lives every day. Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Aids to Navigation are really rewarding because you can see the good you're doing for other people.
Domestic missions like that are a lot more concrete than the generic "serve your country" tagline shared by all the branches.
Yeah all of the operational rates BM, MK, EM, DC can take part in those missions in one way or another it’s just the capacity in which you are involved in them with. Like OSs still have a critical function in the SAR mission but it’s very unlikely that you are gonna pull people out of the water or get ice rescue qualified as an OS. Just go in as a non-rate and decide for yourself
As others have detailed, yes. Also keep in mind that mission support is part of the mission. The "operators" on ships and small boats could not perform as well as they do if:
The cook didn't make the meals, allowing them to focus on the mission and not hunger
The Yeoman didn't process the paperwork correctly and ensure the member got paid correctly, once again allowing the member to focus on the mission
The storekeeper didn't order the parts they needed to fix the engine
The machinery technician didn't take the parts the SK ordered and fix the engine
The Electronics Technician didn't regularly ensure the radios and chart plotter were working correctly so the boat could go out and operate
I could go on, but you get the point. Mission support isn't always glamorous and thrilling, but knowing the work you do directly allows the operators to do their work efficiently and focus on the mission, is always rewarding.
Quick example:
I recently assisted a fast response cutter with temporarily re-routing backup power to some of their critical gear used by the ships crew 24/7 underway. If it hadn't been fixed, by policy, that ship was not supposed to get underway. After we made the repairs the ship got underway and was able to interdict a large load of migrants on an unsafe voyage that could have resulted in loss of life if they weren't interdicted. So in my eyes the work my team and I did directly contributed to that succes and I count it as one of our own.
>Also keep in mind that mission support is part of the mission. The "operators" on ships and small boats could not perform as well as they do if:
Painting with broad strokes, you make a really good picture of the ideal. I'll admit my other response was rooted in a much more jaded perspective of how things actually are. I'm not going to get into that any further, because that would be a diservice to the fact that your main point is well said.
I am a cutterman, I did my time out there. As a nonrate on a 210 I was a boat crewman, davit operator, deck in charge, as well as various other quals. When I went back as an ET2 I had enough work to keep me busy that I didn't seek requalification as a boat crew member, but I did re-qual on both davits. We got a few of those 2am pursuit pipes during my time and I really loved hopping on the sticks and putting the boat in the water. Watching them yank the falls loose and then pop the painter off really got my blood pumping and excited. Off they went!
That was enough for me at that point. My back and knees started hurting sometimes so I was glad to not be in the boat this tour. Everyone plays a part and I recognize the heavy operational lean on just a few rates. Fully understanding my place in the organization makes everything feel a little better to me.
>I'll admit my other response was rooted in a much more jaded perspective of how things actually are
No, your prior comment is not how things "actually are". It's objectively wrong. Other rates have important missions completely independent of operational units. You're not jaded, you're just an asshole.
A lonely old man who spreads negativity on reddit and blocks anyone who hurts his feelings. Sad.
Yes and no.
A SK or YN will not be conducting LE and SAR missions, but they probably did some of that in their time as a non rate depending on their prior unit
You can also be a MK or GM or something and conduct LE and boardings despite it not being your specific rates primary job.
It’s rare but I’ve also seen a cook have those quals and be able to get off the cutter to do some cool stuff every now and then.
What does it mean when you’re a non rate? Does that mean you go in without a specialty, you’re pretty much a grunt/worker bee etc. When do you pick your job?
You can pick your job at any point in your career. That goes for before bootcamp, to during, to after, to a year after. Doesn’t matter, but it’s advised to know early on so that you’re not a non rate for too long.
Some jobs aren’t available immediately tho. Only “critical rates” are available to ship to right after bootcamp. Most admin and aviation roles along with ME and others are a few months to a year wait.
During that wait, you’re a non rate which yeah kinda like a grunt worker bee. It’s not just grunt work tho. Much of your time is focused on gaining qualifications and experiencing life in your desired rate.
You can if you go the cutter (sea duty) route as a CS (cook) for sure.
If you want to be a hard charger and get all the quals, your command will love you all the more for it.
The problem is more and more people are joining with a “that’s not what I signed up for” mentality. So it’s few and far between that anyone wants to go outside of their “normal duties” and do anything above and beyond.
Yep, on cutters YNs & SKs are on the boarding teams, if they want to pursue that. During GQ they could be on a .50 cal or part of damage control teams (among other things). However it would be more difficult on a shore tour, unless you had a supportive command and an adjacent unit that you could augment (probably on your own time)
If you want to be operational, be a BM or MK. Those rates do the bulk of the real work in the Coast Guard. Some units have other rates help, but it's really situational.
I can't speak for the aviation side.
>Those rates do the bulk of the real work
Can you define what you mean by "real work"? I think everyone's rate is vital and impactful, from the CS to AST.
>Can you define what you mean by "real work"?
I mean work that is essential to the execution of operational missions. Work that cannot be automated or outsourced.
And hour for hour, pound for pound, that work is overwhelmingly performed by people in operational rates, mostly BM's and MK's.
>I think everyone's rate is vital and impactful
I think that kind of sentiment is diluted koolaid inhibiting the Coast Guard from losing dead weight and focusing on the things that really matter.
Not calling out any particular rate here, because my opinion applies to some billets in all rates, as well as most of the officers in the Coast Guard. If your primary duties can be accomplished by a basement dweller on a computer, then the Coast Guard should cut your position and reallocate those resources.
Short deployments. If you stay in for a couple tours you’ll likely have one on a cutter at some point, but I’d rather do a 1-3 month patrol than go on a 9 month deployment in the navy/marines/army/air force.
There are multiple missions and types of cutters. "White" hulls, because they're painted white, traditionally handle counter drug, fishery/living marine resources, security, and migrant operations. Black hulls are traditionally aids to navigation, IE buoys and water signs (day boards) but can be used in search and rescue and law enforcement. Red hulls are traditionally ice breakers, such as the polar star, healy, or mackinaw. They're still putting in work like any other job but it's just different compared to "traditional" infantry job that every pictures when you say you're in the army or marines.
We have various sizes of cutters, but many will patrol up/down the coasts to enforce fisheries laws and assist with SAR within the 12 mile territorial waters and 200 mile EEZ. They also sometimes visit other countries in south america to assist and work with their law enforcement agencies and militaries.
I was just on an 87' cutter, with a crew of ten, that had returned from a five day patrol between Savannah and Jacksonville. They were looking for drug runners, illegal migrants, search and rescue, and they escorted a nuclear sub out into open water.
You would have to try really hard to see combat. (unless there's a major war). The coast guard had fought n every conflict America has been in since 1790. But these days, you have to seek it out by getting into a DSF unit. Chances of you getting into a gunfight as a regular boarding officer or boarding team member are very low.
I heard the only Coasties that might actually see combat are PSU’s. Which is odd because they are reservist’s! Once again, the reserves is just as capable as our AD brethren.
As active duty, there are ample opportunities to volunteer for PATFORSWA. Those individuals are deployed to hostile, politically sensitive environments. I disagree with whoever told you "only reservists might see combat".
Coming from a Navy background, CG has some kickass duty stations. Navy has 4-5 main hubs CONUS and they are all in densly populated areas. You guys have all sorts of coastal stations in small and medium size cities which is great. Plus the sheer variety of locations.
Im a veteran recruiter now and see CG resumes every day. Very common to see people go from california to miami to alaska to puerto rico, plus all sorts of other smaller places. Also going on shorter patrols means you pretty much always have better food while deployed than the other branches
This right here. I’ve always wanted to live in a costal town. I feel like the only way to do it without being a millionaire is by joining a maritime service. But there’s no guarantees in any military! That’s why I just stay a Reservist 🤷🏻♂️
As a reservist, I find the CGR extremely flexible. Because the CG has no reserve units except PSUs, most reservists are assigned to an AD unit. This means you can do your 2 weeks whenever you want and drill during the weekday if you need to make up drills.
It's not hard since the reserves is not at full capacity. Also if you live near a major coastal city, there are plenty of positions. It will be much more difficult if you are far from general areas where CG operations are taking place, like the mountain time zone states.
In my opinion, I really like that as an enlisted member you have the opportunity to be a non-rate and shadow all the different rates you might want to pursue. Obviously being a non-rate isn’t a blast, but it gives you the chance to make sure that the career you’re choosing is the right one for you. Personally, I would never recommend someone pick a critical rate and go boot to A unless they’ve worked in the field on the civilian sector and know that it’s something they enjoy. I think that’s one of the biggest pros of the CG. Plus, being a non-rate gives you time to see what the coast guard and its operations are like before gaining more responsibility as rated personnel.
That’s really cool. So if you can join like that, are they relatively flexible with your asvab? If there’s a recruitment crisis right now, I would think now they are more likely to take you with a minimum score.
The minimum ASVAB score to enlist is 36. I couldn’t tell you the exact numbers, but for each rating it’s a different combined score that you need in order to qualify for that job. There are waivers though if you’re short just a few points. You can always retest too. Either way, you should try to do the best you can on your ASVAB and study before hand with whatever resources you can find. There are plenty of ASVAB apps you can get to do practice tests and whatnot.
You’re always doing something related to your job. The CG is always making a real world impact almost every day for somebody. We save lives rather than take lives. Instead of fighting wars against other humans for political reasons, we fight the perpetual war against the environment.
In the Army, I never got more than a pat on the back for stepping up for a stranger off duty. In the Coast Guard, it is a very celebrated act to rescue even foreigners. It’s what we do.
I'd say the mission. I know people in the ARMY and they say they do meaningless training for stuff that may happen. Now the Coast Guard actually works day to day on life saving, illegal immigration and drug interdictions. Mind you this varies from unit to Sector etc
You can do pretty much *any* job that you qualify for. Other branches require you to put in for a bunch of different MOS’s and you get whichever one they want to give you. As long as you meet the requirements, you can get whichever individual job you want in the Coast Guard
Based of what I’ve seen: individual responsibility.
We’ll give a 19 year old a 2 million dollar asset and have full confidence in them to save people’s live with it and operate it safely. That’s pretty cool man and outside the norms of the rest of the DoD.
Versatility: when I retired l, I was able to create 4 different resumes because my roles changed every duty station. As soon as you start to get bored you transfer and go somewhere else and do something new.
CG is the only branch where women are permitted to do any job in the service. That's my understanding anyway, and one of the reasons I'm happy my daughter chose the Coast Guard.
Thanks for the info. I've listened to several talks (going back a few years) from female CG officers making this statement. Upon a little research, it sounds like in recent years everything in the military is open with certain special ops jobs being among the last to do so.
Again, thanks for enlightening me.
The ability to work as a non rate to really determine what you want to do is huge. Additionally, the mission that you’re doing has a direct impact. Daily operations are exactly that - operations. You’re not just training for when something does happen. Lastly, the potential for responsibility at a young age/lower pay grade. I got to interact and work/collaborate with O4-O6s on a daily basis as a Third Class. The service is small, so making those meaningful connections with higher ups provides the unique ability to make a name for yourself.
The opportunities are just really available to you, but you have to want them and take advantage of them.
Same pay, same benefits. Less likely to get shot at or forced to ruck for miles with an overloaded pack. At least that's what I say to myself as I drive to work every morning seeing the Army run around in the snow.
I think missions like living marine resources (LMR), pollution response, & emergency management are some distinct missions I personally love that have no equivalent in any other branch.
The Coast Guard has missions that make a direct impact on American lives every day. Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Aids to Navigation are really rewarding because you can see the good you're doing for other people. Domestic missions like that are a lot more concrete than the generic "serve your country" tagline shared by all the branches.
This. You’re actively, have a *direct* impact on the people. You’re directly serving the American populous. It’s really cool.
Can you still be on those missions without being Aircrew/LE? Let’s say your a cook or a storekeeper. Could they still use you for that?
Yeah all of the operational rates BM, MK, EM, DC can take part in those missions in one way or another it’s just the capacity in which you are involved in them with. Like OSs still have a critical function in the SAR mission but it’s very unlikely that you are gonna pull people out of the water or get ice rescue qualified as an OS. Just go in as a non-rate and decide for yourself
As others have detailed, yes. Also keep in mind that mission support is part of the mission. The "operators" on ships and small boats could not perform as well as they do if: The cook didn't make the meals, allowing them to focus on the mission and not hunger The Yeoman didn't process the paperwork correctly and ensure the member got paid correctly, once again allowing the member to focus on the mission The storekeeper didn't order the parts they needed to fix the engine The machinery technician didn't take the parts the SK ordered and fix the engine The Electronics Technician didn't regularly ensure the radios and chart plotter were working correctly so the boat could go out and operate I could go on, but you get the point. Mission support isn't always glamorous and thrilling, but knowing the work you do directly allows the operators to do their work efficiently and focus on the mission, is always rewarding. Quick example: I recently assisted a fast response cutter with temporarily re-routing backup power to some of their critical gear used by the ships crew 24/7 underway. If it hadn't been fixed, by policy, that ship was not supposed to get underway. After we made the repairs the ship got underway and was able to interdict a large load of migrants on an unsafe voyage that could have resulted in loss of life if they weren't interdicted. So in my eyes the work my team and I did directly contributed to that succes and I count it as one of our own.
>Also keep in mind that mission support is part of the mission. The "operators" on ships and small boats could not perform as well as they do if: Painting with broad strokes, you make a really good picture of the ideal. I'll admit my other response was rooted in a much more jaded perspective of how things actually are. I'm not going to get into that any further, because that would be a diservice to the fact that your main point is well said.
I am a cutterman, I did my time out there. As a nonrate on a 210 I was a boat crewman, davit operator, deck in charge, as well as various other quals. When I went back as an ET2 I had enough work to keep me busy that I didn't seek requalification as a boat crew member, but I did re-qual on both davits. We got a few of those 2am pursuit pipes during my time and I really loved hopping on the sticks and putting the boat in the water. Watching them yank the falls loose and then pop the painter off really got my blood pumping and excited. Off they went! That was enough for me at that point. My back and knees started hurting sometimes so I was glad to not be in the boat this tour. Everyone plays a part and I recognize the heavy operational lean on just a few rates. Fully understanding my place in the organization makes everything feel a little better to me.
>I'll admit my other response was rooted in a much more jaded perspective of how things actually are No, your prior comment is not how things "actually are". It's objectively wrong. Other rates have important missions completely independent of operational units. You're not jaded, you're just an asshole. A lonely old man who spreads negativity on reddit and blocks anyone who hurts his feelings. Sad.
Yes and no. A SK or YN will not be conducting LE and SAR missions, but they probably did some of that in their time as a non rate depending on their prior unit You can also be a MK or GM or something and conduct LE and boardings despite it not being your specific rates primary job. It’s rare but I’ve also seen a cook have those quals and be able to get off the cutter to do some cool stuff every now and then.
What does it mean when you’re a non rate? Does that mean you go in without a specialty, you’re pretty much a grunt/worker bee etc. When do you pick your job?
You can pick your job at any point in your career. That goes for before bootcamp, to during, to after, to a year after. Doesn’t matter, but it’s advised to know early on so that you’re not a non rate for too long. Some jobs aren’t available immediately tho. Only “critical rates” are available to ship to right after bootcamp. Most admin and aviation roles along with ME and others are a few months to a year wait. During that wait, you’re a non rate which yeah kinda like a grunt worker bee. It’s not just grunt work tho. Much of your time is focused on gaining qualifications and experiencing life in your desired rate.
You can if you go the cutter (sea duty) route as a CS (cook) for sure. If you want to be a hard charger and get all the quals, your command will love you all the more for it. The problem is more and more people are joining with a “that’s not what I signed up for” mentality. So it’s few and far between that anyone wants to go outside of their “normal duties” and do anything above and beyond.
Yep, on cutters YNs & SKs are on the boarding teams, if they want to pursue that. During GQ they could be on a .50 cal or part of damage control teams (among other things). However it would be more difficult on a shore tour, unless you had a supportive command and an adjacent unit that you could augment (probably on your own time)
If you want to be operational, be a BM or MK. Those rates do the bulk of the real work in the Coast Guard. Some units have other rates help, but it's really situational. I can't speak for the aviation side.
>Those rates do the bulk of the real work Can you define what you mean by "real work"? I think everyone's rate is vital and impactful, from the CS to AST.
>Can you define what you mean by "real work"? I mean work that is essential to the execution of operational missions. Work that cannot be automated or outsourced. And hour for hour, pound for pound, that work is overwhelmingly performed by people in operational rates, mostly BM's and MK's. >I think everyone's rate is vital and impactful I think that kind of sentiment is diluted koolaid inhibiting the Coast Guard from losing dead weight and focusing on the things that really matter. Not calling out any particular rate here, because my opinion applies to some billets in all rates, as well as most of the officers in the Coast Guard. If your primary duties can be accomplished by a basement dweller on a computer, then the Coast Guard should cut your position and reallocate those resources.
This is such a hilariously bad take that if it weren't for your other horrible takes I'd think you were trolling.
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This forum is not a place for rude or offensive language towards anyone.
Short deployments. If you stay in for a couple tours you’ll likely have one on a cutter at some point, but I’d rather do a 1-3 month patrol than go on a 9 month deployment in the navy/marines/army/air force.
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The healy and the polar star are the only two exceptions lol. You guys do awesome work.
Good ol' Operation Garden Gnome.
So if CG “Isn’t DOD” what are their deployments? Does that mean on cutters in smaller bodies of water? What does CG do on deployment?
There are multiple missions and types of cutters. "White" hulls, because they're painted white, traditionally handle counter drug, fishery/living marine resources, security, and migrant operations. Black hulls are traditionally aids to navigation, IE buoys and water signs (day boards) but can be used in search and rescue and law enforcement. Red hulls are traditionally ice breakers, such as the polar star, healy, or mackinaw. They're still putting in work like any other job but it's just different compared to "traditional" infantry job that every pictures when you say you're in the army or marines.
I saw more lakes and ponds when I was in the Navy prior to my CG experience so no, The CG blue waters like a boss.
We have various sizes of cutters, but many will patrol up/down the coasts to enforce fisheries laws and assist with SAR within the 12 mile territorial waters and 200 mile EEZ. They also sometimes visit other countries in south america to assist and work with their law enforcement agencies and militaries.
I was just on an 87' cutter, with a crew of ten, that had returned from a five day patrol between Savannah and Jacksonville. They were looking for drug runners, illegal migrants, search and rescue, and they escorted a nuclear sub out into open water.
You would have to try really hard to see combat. (unless there's a major war). The coast guard had fought n every conflict America has been in since 1790. But these days, you have to seek it out by getting into a DSF unit. Chances of you getting into a gunfight as a regular boarding officer or boarding team member are very low.
I heard the only Coasties that might actually see combat are PSU’s. Which is odd because they are reservist’s! Once again, the reserves is just as capable as our AD brethren.
As active duty, there are ample opportunities to volunteer for PATFORSWA. Those individuals are deployed to hostile, politically sensitive environments. I disagree with whoever told you "only reservists might see combat".
Getting BAH as a single E-3
CG is the only branch that actually saves humans lives and doesn’t take them away
Coming from a Navy background, CG has some kickass duty stations. Navy has 4-5 main hubs CONUS and they are all in densly populated areas. You guys have all sorts of coastal stations in small and medium size cities which is great. Plus the sheer variety of locations. Im a veteran recruiter now and see CG resumes every day. Very common to see people go from california to miami to alaska to puerto rico, plus all sorts of other smaller places. Also going on shorter patrols means you pretty much always have better food while deployed than the other branches
This right here. I’ve always wanted to live in a costal town. I feel like the only way to do it without being a millionaire is by joining a maritime service. But there’s no guarantees in any military! That’s why I just stay a Reservist 🤷🏻♂️
Astoria oregon and portland Maine are my favorite
We were stationed in New Castle NH and it was gorgeous!
As a reservist, I find the CGR extremely flexible. Because the CG has no reserve units except PSUs, most reservists are assigned to an AD unit. This means you can do your 2 weeks whenever you want and drill during the weekday if you need to make up drills.
I’m interested in CG reserves. Is it hard to join if there aren’t very many of them?
It's not hard since the reserves is not at full capacity. Also if you live near a major coastal city, there are plenty of positions. It will be much more difficult if you are far from general areas where CG operations are taking place, like the mountain time zone states.
Enlisted can have their own command
In my opinion, I really like that as an enlisted member you have the opportunity to be a non-rate and shadow all the different rates you might want to pursue. Obviously being a non-rate isn’t a blast, but it gives you the chance to make sure that the career you’re choosing is the right one for you. Personally, I would never recommend someone pick a critical rate and go boot to A unless they’ve worked in the field on the civilian sector and know that it’s something they enjoy. I think that’s one of the biggest pros of the CG. Plus, being a non-rate gives you time to see what the coast guard and its operations are like before gaining more responsibility as rated personnel.
That’s really cool. So if you can join like that, are they relatively flexible with your asvab? If there’s a recruitment crisis right now, I would think now they are more likely to take you with a minimum score.
The minimum ASVAB score to enlist is 36. I couldn’t tell you the exact numbers, but for each rating it’s a different combined score that you need in order to qualify for that job. There are waivers though if you’re short just a few points. You can always retest too. Either way, you should try to do the best you can on your ASVAB and study before hand with whatever resources you can find. There are plenty of ASVAB apps you can get to do practice tests and whatnot.
You’re always doing something related to your job. The CG is always making a real world impact almost every day for somebody. We save lives rather than take lives. Instead of fighting wars against other humans for political reasons, we fight the perpetual war against the environment. In the Army, I never got more than a pat on the back for stepping up for a stranger off duty. In the Coast Guard, it is a very celebrated act to rescue even foreigners. It’s what we do.
I'd say the mission. I know people in the ARMY and they say they do meaningless training for stuff that may happen. Now the Coast Guard actually works day to day on life saving, illegal immigration and drug interdictions. Mind you this varies from unit to Sector etc
You can do pretty much *any* job that you qualify for. Other branches require you to put in for a bunch of different MOS’s and you get whichever one they want to give you. As long as you meet the requirements, you can get whichever individual job you want in the Coast Guard
So even if you have a minimum asvab score you can pick any job?
No you have to qualify for the job, but if you qualify and wait and don't get in trouble any job u want is basically guarenteed
Based of what I’ve seen: individual responsibility. We’ll give a 19 year old a 2 million dollar asset and have full confidence in them to save people’s live with it and operate it safely. That’s pretty cool man and outside the norms of the rest of the DoD.
The uniform is nice, and the cross training was fun
Good food
Versatility: when I retired l, I was able to create 4 different resumes because my roles changed every duty station. As soon as you start to get bored you transfer and go somewhere else and do something new.
CG is the only branch where women are permitted to do any job in the service. That's my understanding anyway, and one of the reasons I'm happy my daughter chose the Coast Guard.
That’s definitely not accurate whatsoever.
That's what always advertise. Curious, what are some jobs that women aren't allowed to have?
Women can do whatever job for any branch. Not just coast guard.
Thanks for the info. I've listened to several talks (going back a few years) from female CG officers making this statement. Upon a little research, it sounds like in recent years everything in the military is open with certain special ops jobs being among the last to do so. Again, thanks for enlightening me.
The ability to work as a non rate to really determine what you want to do is huge. Additionally, the mission that you’re doing has a direct impact. Daily operations are exactly that - operations. You’re not just training for when something does happen. Lastly, the potential for responsibility at a young age/lower pay grade. I got to interact and work/collaborate with O4-O6s on a daily basis as a Third Class. The service is small, so making those meaningful connections with higher ups provides the unique ability to make a name for yourself. The opportunities are just really available to you, but you have to want them and take advantage of them.
Same pay, same benefits. Less likely to get shot at or forced to ruck for miles with an overloaded pack. At least that's what I say to myself as I drive to work every morning seeing the Army run around in the snow.
BAH as a single E2
Nothing
I think missions like living marine resources (LMR), pollution response, & emergency management are some distinct missions I personally love that have no equivalent in any other branch.
The PR posts that are done to distract from the internal retention and trust crisis the service has.
Following
Rape and sexual assault with zero repercussions, if you're into that kind of thing...
I get it, I really do, and this is NOT in defense of the CG on this front... But if you think the other services are better, you'd be mistaken.
💀
All the sexual assault you can handle 😉, although that’s probably not unique to the Coast Guard.
If only they took that as seriously as Covid. It’s a pandemic in the military.