Son is thinking of joining the Coast Guard (VANITY)

n/a ^ | 5/23/05 | Mom

[coder2]

My 17-old son (HS junior) told us over the weekend is thinking of joining the Coast Guard.

It was a complete surprise; he spoke of the Marines before, but never the CG. We did some research on the net and even went to the Coast Guard Academy website.

He's a great kid, all boy though (lol), is bored with school, but has a 3.7 gpa. Will be taking the ACT test next month. Great in Math & Science, but doesn't like English much. Plays varsity sports and is extremely strong physically.

We have been a little concerned over the past year 'cuz he hasn't really shown much interest in going to college, but I do realize that this is normal (just strange in this house), and attributed it to his boredom with school in general.

So I asked him why he felt that if he went to the Coast Guard Academy, what would be different.. And he made us proud when he said that it would be different because he would be doing this to serve his country..

So anyway, that's why I thought I would turn here to see what you guys thought. There is no local recruiter around, closest is about 200 miles away.

Looking for advice as to whether he should go in as enlisted, or try to get into the CGA, etc. General thoughts about the Coast Guard, sources to go for more info, etc. That kind of stuff.

Any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[coder2]

Sorry for the vanity, but I know the best place to go for advice is FR and all the wonderful people here.

Thanks !!!

[Shortwave]

Having been in the Coast Guard for most of my adult life, it's a fine service and a noble profession. That being said, it's a hotbed of liberal indoctrination and social experimentation.

I too, was considering the Marine Corp. and I regret that I didn't become a Marine. To me, the Marines typify everything that is right about this country, and everything a soldier should be.

[2banana]

Looking for adventure for a couple of year? Wants to make it a career? Want to pay for college? What are his goals?

[coder2]

I was worried about that... Can you elaborate on this at all ?

[housewife101]

My dad served in the Coast Guard, and is glad he went to their academy(Merchant Marine in NY) and served. That was about 40 years ago,however, I don't know how much change this department of service has gone through.

I do know that it did wonders for my dad.(As he will tell you.)

[raccoonradio]

My dad (84 years old now and living on Cape Cod) was in the Coast Guard in the 40s--it became part of the Navy during the war and he served on the U.S.S. Bayfield (Normandy invasion, etc.) I have a cousin, now about 50, who asked my Dad for career advice and he suggested the Coast Guard. So my cousing enlisted and wound up serving in places ranging from
the Maine Coast to the Pacific island of Yap. Now he's a
recruiter for the CG up in New Hampshire. He's had an
enjoyable career with them.

Years ago, the CG was part of the Dept. of the Treasury.
Now it's part of Homeland Security.

The CG runs announcements for recruits and they point out
the CG's role in drug interdiction, saving lives,
homeland security, polar icebreaking, safe boating courses, etc. Their slogan is "Semper Paratus". Always ready.

[hedgetrimmer]

Here's a PING

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Isn't the USCG now a part of the Department of Commerce or some such ?
I used to deal with Coasties in the Great Lakes fuel business. To a man, they were terrified of making a mistake because of the very political nature of senior appointments.

[Shortwave]

Another thing to consider is, the Coast Guard has very limited slots for the Academy. These slots are generally assigned to the social elite who's children want a military experience but can avoid combat. I said combat, not dying. A ship, especially a tall-ship, has more way to kill you than you know how to die.

An enlisted career in the Coast Guard can be a tough job because career advancement can get easily bottle-necked because of the size of the force. Also, the officer to enlisted ration is the worst of all the services with the last count being 1 officer to 3 enlisted people. That sucks bad! You can't do anything without a junior office approving something. And, there are so many of them, they create useless jobs for themselves and tend to meddle into the affairs of the enlisted ranks.

[coder2]

Not worried about paying for college...

The problem is, that he's not sure what he wants to do, so yes, I would assume the thought of a little adventure, plus serving his country is right up there.

I keep asking him about this thoughts/goals, etc. He just answers that he's not sure what he wants to do.

Hubby, who is ex-army, and I agree that the service would do him a world of good. We're not trying to force it one way or another. We can find alot out about the different branches because we know people who were or are currently serving, we just didn't know anyone in the CG.

He knows we will be proud of him if he goes into any of the branches, this would do him good.

Just being a typical Mom and trying to help.

[deport]

A ping to a Coast Guard veteran if he is still around Fr.....

[AngryJawa]

And he made us proud when he said that it would be different because he would be doing this to serve his country..

I'd be proud of that too!

I don't know much about the ins and outs of the USCG and the academy beyond what I've seen on the Discovery Channel. But if your boy is a good athlete, has a good head on his shoulders, and supportive parents, I can't see why he wouldn't take to it very well.

Having just watched a special on USCG Rescue Swimmers, I don't think I could imagine too many jobs that are more rewarding to someone who wants to serve the people of our country.

[TXBSAFH]

www.goarmy.com

[brownsfan]

"A ship, especially a tall-ship, has more way to kill you than you know how to die."

Thank you. I was in the USN from 1977-1981. This was all peacetime, and most people assume I was on a 4 year pleasure cruise. I saw a line snap and kill someone, and we also lost someone over the side. It may not be storming the beaches, but it's always has some danger.
Refueling underway always seems to come at night, during rough seas.

[SandRat]

Tonk,

Want to give this Freeper Dad a little advice and help? Think this is right up you alley.

[Pukin Dog]

I'm going to give it to you straight.

Join the Coast Guard, and learn to swim.

Join the Marines, and learn to do anything you damn well please. It is that simple.

[coder2]

Thanks !!! Hubby, of course, likes the idea of our boy going in the Army..

I didn't serve myself, but my parents did during WWII. Dad was a Marine (jar-head as hubby always called him) and my Mom was a Navy nurse.

Lots of history here.

[coder2]

My father was a Marine...

I believe it.

[dawn53]

Just to let you know your kid isn't the only one, my 17 year old doesn't know what he "wants to do either" (he's the same as your son, heading into what would be his senior year next year.)

We've had him in a dual credit program in our school system (so his classes have all been at the local community college), and although he has 57 of 60 general requirement credits, he still doesn't know about a major.

Unless a kid that age really has a passion for something, I think it's hard for them to picture themselves in a profession. We've been telling our son to head in a certain direction academically, and if he finds out it's not right for him, he can always change (don't think that works with the military though).

We've been getting recruitment brochures almost every week in the mail from all branches of the service. Plus the recruiters are very active on his campus.

Best of luck to you in helping him decide which path to take.

[sitkaspruce]

I've dealt with Coasties over the years. I think it would be a good challenge to your son. They do give responsibility early and as others have pointed out you can go to some interesting places.