Joining the Coast Guard... or something....

[Dom Pedro II]

Hey, everybody... Oerdin's thread made me think of something I've been debating for a few weeks now....

I have absolutely no interest joining the Army, Navy, Airforce, or Marines. In my opinion, our military shouldn't be anywhere but HERE. I don't like the idea of getting called up to fight for something I don't believe in. I'm a journalism major, and I'd gladly go to a foreign front and get my ass blown away reporting the truth before I'd pick up a gun and shoot at somebody for no other reason than defending their home or themselves.

Not to mention the fact that I can't stand this glorification of the military thing... I feel like that for EUROPE. Here in America, we sort of distrusted the military in the beginning, and now we've sort of become just as Imperial as any of the Euro countries of Old.

On the other hand, I do feel a slight patriotic tugging, and I see nothing wrong with defending the homeland. I'd gladly die for my country, but I've always taken that to mean to die for MY country, not somebody else's... So I was thinking about the Coast Guard (and I WAS thinking about the National Guard until even they were possibilities for getting sent to Iraq).

Soooo I think I'm pretty much limited to the Coast Guard. Which the only thing I'd have qualms with there would be the drug war and scuttling floating chevies...

Anyway, what do you think I should do? And should I go into the Coast Guard, or is there some other branch that only deals with defending America/rescue, etc.?

[SlowwHand]

Coast Guard would be a good and honorable choice.

[Panag]

hi ,

join the navy , better pay and more good things then the coast guard

have a nice day

[Kirnwaffen]

I'd hate to burst your bubble, but the Coast Guard can be deployed as well. Not that it's particularly likely, just possible. Also, keep in mind that you will not, IIRC, be able to choose your MOS in the Coast Guard. (Please correct me if I'm wrong)

[SlowwHand]

The Coast Guard spent time patrolling rivers in Vietnam.
Also, Cubans, again with the Cubans.

[Dom Pedro II]

Well... I'd find it very unlikely that the situation would get that bad in the Middle East. I mean, we have plenty of ships... and they (meaning pretty much ANYBODY) do not have anyway to get at those ships.


And MOS? what is this?

[Kirnwaffen]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the Coastguard has been doing some escort and patrol in Iraq.

[Kirnwaffen]

MOS = Military Occupational Specialty.

AKA your job. Most services allow you to choose a specific MOS upon enlistment. The Coast Guard, as I recall, does not.

[SlowwHand]

Occupational Specialty.

National Guard has to mess with rioters, and not all is in Mideast.

[Dom Pedro II]

Hmmm.... ok.... well, then is there a particular section of any one of the branches of the military where I can serve my country and still keep my principles intact? Meaning like rescue, medicine, etc.?

EDIT: Getting booted from the computer lab, but I'll come on when I get home... in two hours...

[Kirnwaffen]

You'd probably be better off going through an OCS program and going into intelligence, or becoming a Coast Guard pilot. Everyone else can pretty much be deployed, I think.

[Lonestar]

Dom Pedro


I hat to tell you man, but 10 of the 16 or so USCG Deep Water cutters went to the middle east.

However Being Coastie means, for the most part you feel like you're actually accomplishing something. You're actually rescueing people. You're actually stopping drugrunners. You're actually turning away a boatload of Haitian Refugees (well, maybe that doesn't feel good).

During "peacetime", the USCG probably works the hardest, but you get many of the same bennies as with the USN. Sea pay, lots of MWR activities, etc. Also, the Armed Services have more ways for you to become an officer(post or pre enlistment) than you can shake a stick at. ROTC. Acadamy. OCS. ECP (where you just go to college...and get comissioned afterwards! No Acadamy or ROTC BS).

If you just want to do a single tour with no re-enlistment, work on your college degree while enlisted. The USCG and USN pay for all tuition while you're enlisted. You only have to pay for books, and there are methods of reducing that too.

If you join the USCG you'll be given what's called a "Rate", what your job is. Personally, I recommend whatever the Coastie equilivant of "Master-at-Arms" (re: Military Police) is. It's a tight rate in every service, and there are huge bonuses and advancement oppurtunities.

You'll meet a bunch of people you probably wouldn't have met if you stay in the civilian world. This is both good and bad. Good because it makes you more aware of different people, and maybe even getting you a few friends. Bad because you'll be awake at night wondering why the Hell those Deck Seaman won't shut the Hell up when you're trying to get 4 hrs of sleep before it's your turn at watch.

I would recommend either the Coast Guard or the USN.

[SlowwHand]

If you can't pass the tests for Air Force.

[Lonestar]

...However, if you want a bike-riding PT Test with no chance for advancement beyond E-4 and bizarre weight standards, the USAF is the place for you!

PLus, you get apartment style barracks and a 6 week bootcamp where cell phones are allowed.

[SlowwHand]

Really? Cell phones? That's punishment, to me.
I was in before the advent of cell phones.