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.

[Mathews]

Department of Transportation last I heard.

[coder2]

Thank you....

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

" (inspecting) commercial fishing boats."

This is what I do every week.

I am 1 of 168 nationwide,
out of 36,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary members.

There are 6 in OR, out of 550.

5 are in Portland, I'm the only one in the rest of the state.

What I do frees up regular Coast Guard to perform other duties, like search and rescue.

[javachip]

I'm sure much has changed at USCGA since I graduated ~25 years ago, but I whole-heartedly recommend it to your son.

The entry competition for USCGA is a little different from the other service academies. There are no congressional appointments or state quotas, entry is based on a nationwide competion. I'm pretty sure grade point average and SAT scores still carry the most weight, but sports, extra-curricular activities, military service, etc. all count.

Some of this may have changed, or my memory might have faded some, so recommend contacting the Director of Admissions. The website is http://www.cga.edu/

USCGA is always ranked as one of the most competitive colleges in the nation. Not sure what current stats are, my class had over 10,000 applicants, 327 got appointments, more than half left prior to graduation.

Might as well get a head start on answers to important questions. When asked "What is the Coast Guard?" the correct answer is "That hard nucleus about which the Navy forms in time of war."

[pbear8]

He did use these skills immediately after his hitch, actually for about ten years then he decided to follow our uncle into sales.

[2banana]

With all respect.

Your son sounds like a punk teenager (I was one) with no idea what he wants to do with his life (like myself). Would like to find himself and have some adventure.

I suggest going enlisted for 4 years. He will earn the GI Bill if he ever decides to go to college. If he loves it, he can become a NCO or an officer for 20 years. Also, he can do the National Guard tour to keep one foot in both worlds.

Tell him to go to every school and take every opportunity presented to him (Airborne, Ranger, SF, SEAL, etc.) Tell him to GO FOR IT. You never know what you can do until you try... Also, set him up with a savings plan so he has something after 4 years (he will discover beer and women)...

[coder2]

He's never been out on the ocean; however he has gone fishing with my husband and they have been out on some big lakes with some rough water.. He feels it, but has never been sick, so it's kind of hard to tell.

Not sure exactly what you are referring to by "elite". I could look at that 2 different ways. Yes, he wants to serve his country and would probably love to serve on an elite force. However, if you mean is he looking for glory and/or nose in the air elite, then no.

Parental point of view --- he's already rolled a truck and walked away, more people died on 9/11 than those that have died in the service since then. Safer ?? Not sure about that one.

[coder2]

No offense taken..

Not really a punk teenager... Probably too good sometimes (shhhh, don't tell him I said that).. But the rest of it is good advice.

I asked hubby about women and booze when he was in the service... He just smiles...

[edcoil]

I was in the Navy submarine service.

I thought about the Coast Guard but was not tall enough. You have to be 6'foot tall to be a coasty - that way, if the boat sinks you can walk to shore... (Ba-dum-dum)

Setting humor aside, have you reviewed the Merchant Marines? Great benefits for education without the long term committment to military.

[JeeperFreeper]

Dear C2,
A point I'd like to make is this. The Marine Corps is a warrior culture, pure and simple. It is strict, hard and uncompromising. To err is human, to forgive divine; neither of which is Marine Corps policy. The Corps task is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy. Its focus is on the infantryman, the grunt, all else is support. From the Corps' perspective , the question is not which service is good enough for your son, but whether your son is good enough for the Marines.
In any event, you are to be congratulated on raising such a fine young man and I wish him well.

[11x62]

I think the officer ratio could be skewed due to the large air wing in the guard. All those helios and C-130s. Certainly pilots are all officers.

What size boat requires an officer on board?

The couple of Academy grads I've known sure didn't have connections to get in.

[coder2]

Thank you for your post...

Had him look over the website this weekend... Asked him if he was interested. His answer, "I'm thinking about it"

Best answer he could give me right now in my opinion. If he had said "hell yeah", then I would really believe he wasn't serious. But the fact that he is taking the time to think about it, shows that he is giving it the serious consideration it needs.

It wasn't the normal, "I'm thinking Mom" either like I get when I ask him what he wants for dinner. LOL. Definitely different.

I'm going to have him contact the Academy to at least get some more information. Can't have Mom doing that !!!

[coder2]

Care to elaborate please ?

I really want to hear both sides.

[Labyrinthos]

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.

That's not exactly true. Regardless, the USCGA, like all of the service academies, is one of the top engineering schools in the country. Something like 6800 people apply for 400 spots. Grades and SAT/ACT are very important, but the service academies are looking for more than just smart people. I suggest that you check out the details from some of the online college guides like US News and Princeton Review. You'll have to pay for the US News info, but its worth the price.

[coder2]

I can see my son making a fine Marine.. He reminds me so much of my Dad (Marine WWII, injured on Tarawa)

But this decision is 100% his

[Focault's Pendulum]

A former employer of mine is the President of the Coast Guard Combat Veteran's Association.

If your son graduates at Cape May NJ....he'll be there to welcome him.

BTW this post isn't a vanity at all....it should be posted under Great News!!

[coder2]

top engineering schools in the country

My son has shown no interest at all in engineering (doesn't mean he wouldn't like it though). If the main focus of the CGA is engineering though, this may not be the best place for him.

Not sure, but something to think about, thank you...

[vladima]

Coming from a commerial fishing family, I can tell you that we definitely appreciate the CG. It is very honourable service. Having contact with them from Alaska to California, the men and women of the Coast Guard has saved many, many lives. They are also part of enforcement and regulation as well doing things like bouy tending, etc. Kodiak has a huge base, and it covers a enormous area of Alaska. Lots of heroes there I can tell you.

I don't know this for certain (saw it on some documentary a few years ago), but the Coast Guard Academy is harder to get through than the other military academies. Someone else here might correct me if I am wrong. Also, aren't there CG in the Persian Gulf right now?

I have several friends who wound up here because of service in the Coast Guard. One went on to the Maritime Academy and became a tanker captain at 33, then a pilot (for large ships) in SE Alaska. Economically, he has thrived. If your son loves the sea, the CG or the Navy are the way to go. IMO

[coder2]

BTW this post isn't a vanity at all....it should be posted under Great News!!

I'm smiling !!!

But I will let down my guard for a minute and admit something (told hubby yesterday).

If my son goes away to college, I figure he will probably be pretty much the same kid (a little older) when he comes back.

However, I KNOW, that if he joins the service (any of them), when he comes back (just visiting), he will return as a MAN, not my boy

I'll admit, that does tear a little at this Mom's heartstrings.

[javachip]

What size boat requires an officer on board?

Generally speaking, coastal patrol boats (87') and larger cutters will have commissioned CO's. Some of the CPB's may be commanded by senior enlisted, not sure. Smaller vessels are either assigned to a station and operate with rotating crews or are independent commands with enlisted Officer-in-Charge. Boat stations are typically commanded by a Chief, Senior Chief, Master Chief or Warrant Officer.

The helo and fixed wing pilots are officers.