My Parents are in the USCG and i am proud to support it, yea you may get crappy Drill SGT. and you may have to do crappy work at first, but from my point of view, you can travel all over the U.S. Just because you dn't like what you do doesn't mean you have to talk bad about them. If the CG wasn't here, then what?????? That's just my opinion and i'm not saying you have to like the CG, i'm just saying that without the CG, people would be dying from shipwrecks and marine life would be almost dead from oil spills. Just shows how important they are.

ahhh... the Coast Guard. What can I say about the Coast Guard? Reading all of these reviews sound all too familiar. My recruiter was not of great help. He said he couldn't guarantee me any "A" schools or hometown recruiting... a bunch of bull because AS SOON AS I WENT TO MEPS I met with the entire group that he recruited- many had guaranteed "A" schools, bonuses, and hometown recruiting. I felt like I got the shaft... too late, already swore in. Oh!! and I had to challenge him on getting a bonus... i told him i wouldn't join without it and he was like, "Oh, maybe I will ask then." Duh!
SO basic training... it was the worst and best time of my life. I had fun and i'll admit, I came out of there next to my peers feeling swollen in the chest with pride. A bunch of people will know who your company commanders are and the funny thing is is most of these CC's that "So rightly" have medals and ribbons on their chest have NEVER even step foot on a boat let alone have sea time... they don't know the real coast guard. They are a bunch of pencil pushers and coffee cup holders. That was the case with my CC's. And they had the nerve to send us back to our desks during our "dream sheet" session and demanded we apply to be sent to 378's (big cutters in the coast guard). I got away with applying for none... I snuck my paper in... but amazingly I got a 378 in an area that I didn't even request!!! I got to my unit after basic training and was left on the main island for a month because my boat was deployed. I shredded paper, signed people in to get IDs, and stocked the utility closet. I was bored out of my freakin' mind. Finally, I received orders to meet my boat for TACT training (3 weeks of drills)... NOBODY helped me around the boat. I didn't know where I needed to go for these drills and activities and whenever I ask someone to help me out I received the cold shoulder because they were too preoccupied with themselves. This is what it is like everywhere in the coast guard. Its a mind game: mess with the new guy/girl until the next arrives. Don't get me wrong, i know I had to prove myself but come on! I joined for the job and the pay so stop the childish stuff and give me a real task to do. My life inport was 7 months of repairing the boat with my crew. it was 6 out of 7 days of work and 12 hour days because we couldn't meet our deadline. all other rates and deckies went home on trop hours and had their weekends off.
This is what my important jobs were: sweeping, painting, and cleaning hardware... for 12 HOURS. They don't tell you this when you join. They paint the picture of being an AST,people, its impossible to achieve. for your info, only 3 out of a class of 16 will make that rate. So I decided to suck it up and try to make my situation better. I began boarding team member qualification. I trained and beat out most of the guys for cutter rescue swimmer, and I got my butt qualified so I can attend ET "A" school. I was never allowed to go to my BTM sessions because of our work load (ahem, sweeping?), although I beat out all of the guys' time as a cutter rescue swimmer I was never filled for that billet. The only good thing was that I got my orders to school almost immediately. Woo hoo! E-4 pay and $6,000 bonus here I come. I was at school for almost 6 months (almost graduated) and I got tagged for my weight and honorably discharged ... it was the biggest blessing. ya ya, I get the "You serve your country and signed a contract" (I paid my bonus back and my dues)... listen, the coast guard was nothing but bad for me. I was not going to spend 5 years of my life unhappy for the sake of the coast guard. Most people that you meet in the Coast Guard that are "all for it", well, the sad truth is that they were losers when they joined and had nothing going for them. You may say "Not true! I had my degree and had a better job"... I've met a bunch of you during my time and I've met the worst of people during my time in SERVICE!!! People who have DUI's, are stalkers, rapists, molesters, creeps, people who don't bathe, racists. I thought I would be safer in the service. And most of these people have degrees!!! Oh, and the officers are a bunch of weeners. They do act like they are GODS. The only difference is that they went to OCS or the academy. okay okay, now the pros of the Coast Guard: you receive benefits (medical, dental, etc) for free, you receive a steady paycheck twice a month, you receive 30 days of leave a year, you will always have a job (you can't get fired), you receive discounts from stores and companies. The best thing that came out of joining was my spouse. Don't get me wrong, I've met a few people at my units that I was proud and honored to work beside. My advice: RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH... even if it takes months. Toss that idea of "The Guardian" out of your head... it is not like that at all. If you meets the standards of rates in Aviation, seriously look into it. Don't go ET (worst school EVER). Press your recruiter for hometown recruiting, bonuses, and guaranteed "A" school (if you want it) because they can GIVE it to you. They lie and are great at it. Last but not least, have an open mind. you may not get a billet or school that you so badly want for awhile. OR join the AIRFORCE. good luck

I came from another sevice prior to joining the CG. Leadership in the CG is non-existant. It comes to a matter of moving the senior leadership up and as some have put on previous posts a "good old boy" network. I was part of the Katrina efforts from the beginning, the press and the idiots in Washington put the CG on a high plateau that made us look like the saviors of the whole operation. The danger with that is if there is another storm or disaster like Katrina and things are not running as smooth as they sort of did, the CG will look like a bunch of idiots (and the CG is heading down that road currently).
I can speak about academy grads since I work with these idiots. They are nothing but a bunch of pompass assholes. I can only name 2 academy grads I can stomach, but only for a short period of time. They can not lead their way out of a wet paper bag and will dime anyone out, including their mom, if it meant a better OER. They think they are gods at times and believe they know everything about being a leader all because the squared their meals for an entire year and rolled their socks with the correct smile faces on them. A previous post indicated it is the academy is one of the hardest schools to get into. BS, the CG Academy does not currently require a Senator or Congressional recommendation and 3/4 of the students are Government Majors (they probably were in danger of washing out). If you are or have been in the CG you can tell a ring knocker very quickly.
The CG recruiters are also the biggest bags out there. They do not care about the quality of people they are trying to recruit only quantity. It is a numbers game. Each recruiting region has to make X number of recruits per year or risk getting their budgets hacked. So their philosophy is get the numbers up and polish the turd the best they can to make sure the numbers up to an appropriate budget level. An example are the dipshits in Mobile AL. During a job fair at the local mall a few years ago many local business' and companies had booths to talk about jobs. Also the DoD had their recruiters out there. The CG had a booth with a few pencils, stickers, and some pamphlets, but you guessed it no recruiter to be found. I waited for an hour to see if one would show up (thinking they were on a lunch break). They never showed up, and a friend of mine said they went there a few days later with no recruiter never showing up.
You may think I am disgruntled and hate the CG. I have done some good things for the public even though the public does some dumb ass things at times. My point to all this is to show those who may be looking to join, be sure you educate yourself. I see things differently since I have been in for a long period of time. I can go on and on but that would be a novel I would be writting. Make sure you educate yourself and don't talk to one recruiter, take to another one in another town to see how much each differs. If they paint Pie in the sky get a second opinion. You would do that if a doctor said you were going to die in a year right? Educate yourself with knowledge. Just because I am pissed right now does not mean I am right. It is only that my opinion and I have done my time and will be moving on. If you join do what you can to change this organization and if you are un-happy move on and spread what you learned.

It was overwhelming to read these, they ring SO familiar in my mind - the pure shittiness of the Coast Guard. Towards the end of basic training I was ready to get out there and prove myself. On my "dream sheet" I made it clear I wanted a small boat station or 110 in a warm area. I ended up getting orders for a 378' in Charleston, SC. They have you call your new unit to see what it's like - and I shit you not, the people were like "uhhh...did anyone tell you? There's really nothing here." After that I didn't give a damn. I got to my unit - it was an abandoned Navy base in the middle of nowhere. We had no living quarters. Turns out everyone on the boat is from the area. When we get back from a 3-month tour I was stuck sleeping in that stupid bunk bed. Saddest times of my life. Mess cooking sucks too. Work from 6:30am until 7pm 7 days a week, taking orders from some disgusting loser. That's another thing - you'll find the biggest rejects and scum in the Coast Guard. One of the cooks on the boat, an E-6, was written up several times for not bathing. It was a serious problem. Anyway that's jist of it. Should have joined the Army or Air Force. Air Force has the best quality of living. Coincidentally, the Coast Guard's quality of living is deplorable. By the way, I too heard "you'll never be able to get a job" etc. during out-processing. Guess what? I'm a senior at Harvard. Smoking fat spliffs all day. Eat cock Coast Guard. Thanks for giving me the inside scoop on how not to get caught trafficking.

personally didn't enjoy my time in the coast guard. most of my co-workers did however seem to be happy in the guard. i never really felt like i fit in. the coast guard is very "law enforcementish". it was kind of like working with a bunch of cops, not that there is anything wrong with cops, just not my scene. i experienced a lot of "tough guys" who i think secretly wished they would have joined the marines but really didn't have to balls to do so. there are many exciting jobs and stations in the coast guard and with hard work and discipline you can have an awesome career. be ready to do the "crap" work for your first couple years. that's just how it is, regardless of which service you choose.

I heard the Coast Guard band sucks ass too just like the rest of them shallow water puddle pirates... and Why do I have to salute these yellow motherrfukkers again?

I would like to be a Health Services Technician... Should I join the Coast Guard or Air Force??? thx Dallas

To be honest I don't know much about the Coast Guard, but I do know they do a hell of a lot for both the military and civilians.

i joined the coastguard ,did the whole mindless 8 weeks of less than physicaly demanding "boot camp" the whole thing seemed to be based around this sheepest idea of FOLLOWERSHIp.any way got thru but not befor i filled out a deceiving white slip of paper called a DREAM SHEET , prior to that i was sold a bill of goods by the recruiter,CCs, and instructors alike of the big dream of flying or driving into the hurricane to jump into the rageing sea to obtain "glory", so i filled it out and went so far as say that i would except any small boat station patrol boat or even small cutter or an air station from carolinas coast around to alaska. and for weeks further propelled my self thru the shit hole that is "cape may", ordersday and what do i get SFO EASTERN SHORE CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND VIRGINIA,a little alarmed i kept my hopes alive for a period of 10 days(BOOT LEAVE) and was empowered by the hope of that great things were ahead of me. long story short my chain of command consisted of a couple of shit head mason cheifs and 2 MICRO MANAGEING hell bitches of an o2 and a o4 soon after my arival i learned that i would not be even touching a boat in fact the base needed re painting so and that was gona take a few years so i could never get my recommendations for a school or sttion transfer so i hired a lawyer and got out you see i was working in excess of 50 hrs a week and was makeing about 16000 a year to paint if you want to be a painter or a woodworker the going rate for a civillian is about 25 an hr. to the credit of the coast guard there are limited amounts of jobs it provides that see excitment and provide valuable service the other 95% sit in a boiler room or paint ect your chances of ever seeing action are about the same as playing pro football. DONT JOIN . while getting out i was told i would never acheive anything no one would do bussines with me. for the record i now make atleast 60000 and go to school.

The Coast Guard is filled with bi polar under-educated douchbags. If I could find a job that was outside of the CG I would, but alas I need the money so I am stuck to a life of being angry and hating my life.

The service provided by the USCG is great. The "chain of command" is the most utter piece of disorganization in the US military. If all branches of service operated in the chaos of the USCG chain of command...the USA would have never won a war!!

The Coast Guard sucks ass! It's almost impossible to make rate unless you're in with the right people. When I was in the Guard, I saw the most unqualified people advance because they were buddy/buddy with the chain of command. There's a lot of fraternization that goes in. It's not about what you know, but who you know. Furthermore, all those nice things they promise you, you're gonna have to go through hell to get it.

Best branch in the military hands down.

When filling out your Dream Sheets, DO NOT select Sector Delaware Bay. WORST command in the military. If you make them look good, you're golden. If you work behind the scenes, youre treated as a useless asshole.

Coasties are nuts. I would surely not get in one of those boats unless my life depended on it.

As a former Cadet of the US Coast Guard Academy, I can tell you that the real Coast Guard training out on the fleet where real work is done is awesome and just as worthy of praise as any branch of service.
However, the Coast Guard Academy itself is a complete shit-hole filled with officers who are complete hypocrites that expect cadets to act a certain way but get shitfaced every weekend with cadets that they're "cool" with. On top of that they encourage senior cadets to take unecesary disciplinary action on other cadets (even their own classmates) for stupid things in order to "achieve order", whereas it could have been resolved with a simple conversation. Cadets are cynical and untrustworthy of eachother as a result and it's a horrible atmosphere. As much as I wanted to be in the real coast guard working with the enlisted guys who are awesome (pretty much my only motivation to stay in for a while), I'm glad I left the service.

The rank and file Coast Guard member is most likely a hardworking individual committed to his job. Yet I think the chain of command in the Coast Guard SUCKS. I especially think the recruiting command of the CG SUCKS. I applied for a commission in the CG and the recruiter told me I was qualified, had me jump through hoops for months, repeatedly stalled on doing HER job and eventually she failed to turn the package in on time. Afterwards, when I filed a Congressional complaint, the recruiting command said that they never told I qualified for a commission (what the hell was I doing with their recruiter for 9 months then?)
If you qualify for a commission; save yourself alot of trouble and go to another branch. The unprofessional and non military bearing with which these guys conducts themselves is a discredit to their uniform.

College is for those who can't handle the Coast Guard! I joined after college - I know. A tough job - a lot of jobs - with not enough people or money, but we still do it. Great working relationship with the USMC and respect from the same. If you want respect and the 2nd toughest rated Boot Camp: Go USCG. You want to be laughed at: Join the Navy - I know, I was there before college.

Not great for battle but great in its own way, it keep cubans out.

i am an officer in the coast guard, and let me say this: this service sucks. the academy sucked, the people suck. a bunch of back stabbing rejects. the concept of "helping people" in the coast guard is a foreign one. i would rather work at mc donalds, where at least i would get some respect.

As an active duty member of the USCG after numerous years of service, I'm displeased with the lack of concern towards fellow shipmates. Furthermore, our core values are Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty...go figure right! Get a college degree and do something positive with your life, something you want to do. That is my advice to anyone interested in the Coast Guard.

Well, they certainly had the best armed ships of any nations coast guard that I ever saw. Harpoons? On a Cutter? Nice to have, but what for?

Ballsy guys, especially the ones doing the search and rescue work.

The Coast Guard boot camp is a joke, well I had 2 years of ROTC in college and 2 years of Citizens Army Training in high school that's why. But even after that, the military structure with the boy scouts/girls scouts are probably better and the chain of command is horrible. The Coast Guard sucks, I should have joined the Marines or even the Navy and have some respect. Screw this I am getting out next year! Wohooo!

The Coast Guard boot camp is a joke, well I had 2 years of ROTC in college and 2 years of Citizens Army Training in high school that's why. But even after that, the military structure with the boy scouts/girls scouts are probably better and the chain of command is horrible. The Coast Guard sucks, I should have joined the Marines or even the Navy and have some respect. Screw this I am getting out next year! Wohooo!

Vastly under-rated and important service particularily in the age of terrorism

Great group who risk their lives to go into the water after people. Very tough work and very risky.

ha ha ha ha ha

I just got out of coast guard boot camp and it was a lot more demanding than I thought it would be. The physical training was not that difficult unless you are a weak swimmer. Being that the coast guard is the smallest branch, there is no room for dead weight. Those who are stupid or disrespectful get weeded out very quickly. There is no falling through the cracks. I thought most people who joined the military do so because they cannot handle college or they have no home lives, but all the recruits at boot camp were very lively, dedicated, and bright. The part that makes me proud to be a coastie is that we do our job everyday, and we are very humanitarian. We don't go around dropping bombs on cities or shooting foreigners. We quietly do our job of saving lives and protecting resources, while working with a small budget and limited manpower. I'm glad the coast guard demands so much of its sailors. You cannot save someone else if you cannot take care of yourself.

This whole board is disgusting, we are all serving our country. We all have pay grades and we all live by our respective branches code. The fact that we do soo much on an every day basis and NOT complain about recognition makes me proud to be a coastie. For all you other servicemen who want to bash this service I have pity on you and whoever you serve with Because at some time you'll be working with the CG and you'll see what it's all about. I respect all branches for the role they play in our nation's defense. The coast guard has a special role just as everyone else does. Every coastie I've ever met represents well. I'm truly proud to be a member of the United States Coast Guard. Honor, Respect, Devotion to duty. Thats our promise to the county and its the promise we strive to keep.

The Coast Guard may not be in the Department of Defense, but that does not mean it is not a military service. Thay have fought in all our wars, including the current war in Iraq and have shed blood and died like other servicemen. Their boot camp is very difficult and is probably second only to the U.S. Marines. Unlike the other branches of the service the Coast Guard has very little down time. They are indeed the police of the oceans, they contend with drug smugglers, illegal immigrants and general crime. They save lives in the harshest weather conditions when nobody else has the the training or abilty to survive, much less save someone, always at the risk of their own lives. During times of war these fine men and women answer the call of duty like every other member of the armed forces. This outfit should be the one to be called , the few, the proud. They deserve it. My son is a member of the Coast Guard and is on the other side of the world as I write, not safe at home going up and down the Coast. They do so much more than I ever thought.

The U.S. Coast Gurad is the greatest MILITARY(USC Title 14 PT.1 CH.1 Section 1)service in the world. At least we hold high standards in our screening process.

Anyone whose job it is, among other things, to go out and rescue people who may not have enough sense to stay out of bad weather, deserves acollades. The pay is not that great (certainly nt commensurate with the risks), and recognition for what they do probably isn't what it should be either.

Oldest life saving service in world.

I think anyone who takes the time out of their lives, especially the time they could be spending with family to protect our country is a hero to me. I am tired of hearing how one branch is better than the other. None of you people are better than anyone else. Get a grip !

A lot of people look down on the Coast Guard. They are not really military, except in time of war. They are mainly into coastal patrol, rescue, and drug interdiction. I respect them for what they do. The Navy may be able to do the same things as them, but they specialize in those types of operations. They are a valuable asset to the United States.

The Coast Guard is more important than most people think. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is the hardest college/university/academy to get into in the nation. Isn't this enough to prove the Coast Guard is legit? To most of you, it isn't and I'm not surprised.

No you don't have to be six feet tall and it is still part of the Military, you two IDIOTS.

Not even a branch of military. Now department of Transportation