If so I would love to chat a bit!
- Thread starter garrett
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Re: Any USCG members here?
Yeps... Former MK2... there are a few others here and there.
Yeps... Former MK2... there are a few others here and there.
Re: Any USCG members here?
look for BigJoe, he's a Coastie.
look for BigJoe, he's a Coastie.
Re: Any USCG members here?
Well I was going to ask some general questions but my situation has changed in the last few hours. I just got an email from my local recruiter who said after reviewing my medical history I was disqualified because i had eczema as a kid. That seems a little silly to me. Can anyone offer some advice? I am in great health/shape, hold a masters degree and really want to give back to my country in some way. Any info/suggestions would be very much appreciated, i am a little bummed out to hear this. I asked if i could have a physical done to verify my good state of health but the recruiter told me that any diagnosis of eczema, no matter how small or how long ago was a disqualification.
Any ideas guys?
Well I was going to ask some general questions but my situation has changed in the last few hours. I just got an email from my local recruiter who said after reviewing my medical history I was disqualified because i had eczema as a kid. That seems a little silly to me. Can anyone offer some advice? I am in great health/shape, hold a masters degree and really want to give back to my country in some way. Any info/suggestions would be very much appreciated, i am a little bummed out to hear this. I asked if i could have a physical done to verify my good state of health but the recruiter told me that any diagnosis of eczema, no matter how small or how long ago was a disqualification.
Any ideas guys?
Re: Any USCG members here?
eczema? seriously?
Try contacting the military branches...
The U.S. Army is most accepting of prior medical issues out of the 4 branches, especially ones as a kid with no recent problems. With a Masters degree, you could go in as an officer or in the enlisted rank of Specialist.
eczema? seriously?
Try contacting the military branches...
The U.S. Army is most accepting of prior medical issues out of the 4 branches, especially ones as a kid with no recent problems. With a Masters degree, you could go in as an officer or in the enlisted rank of Specialist.
Re: Any USCG members here?
My buddy just emailed me and said it could be because they are so backed up in applications right now that they are looking anywhere for reasons to reject people.... oh well.
My buddy just emailed me and said it could be because they are so backed up in applications right now that they are looking anywhere for reasons to reject people.... oh well.
Re: Any USCG members here?
I've heard the USCG is a great gig if you can get in. Being the smallest service, it can obviously be a bit more choosy about its recruits.
I had a couple E-4s with master's degrees in my last unit. While I'm an absolute champion of the NCO corps, it is difficult to manage the mundane bullshit sometimes if you've got that much education. Look at the officer routes in Army, Navy, and USAF. Those will be the easiest places to get what you're looking for. USMC has higher standards because, once again, it is a smaller service branch.
There's no doubt your skill set could be put to use in the US military. However, there is no guarantee that you will be put to good use. I'm a policy wonk that started out in Army infantry. Don't underestimate how much you can learn from expanding your own skill set. I absolutely prize the lessons I learned in leadership and resourcefulness from small unit tactics courses. The applications of that training are endless.
I've heard the USCG is a great gig if you can get in. Being the smallest service, it can obviously be a bit more choosy about its recruits.
I had a couple E-4s with master's degrees in my last unit. While I'm an absolute champion of the NCO corps, it is difficult to manage the mundane bullshit sometimes if you've got that much education. Look at the officer routes in Army, Navy, and USAF. Those will be the easiest places to get what you're looking for. USMC has higher standards because, once again, it is a smaller service branch.
There's no doubt your skill set could be put to use in the US military. However, there is no guarantee that you will be put to good use. I'm a policy wonk that started out in Army infantry. Don't underestimate how much you can learn from expanding your own skill set. I absolutely prize the lessons I learned in leadership and resourcefulness from small unit tactics courses. The applications of that training are endless.
Re: Any USCG members here?
I'm a coastie... I worked at Recruiting Command for a while, and was talking to one of my buddy's who is a recruiter. It's tough right now, some areas have a year+ wait-list (white males) it's a little easier for women and males other than white, but not much. Our budget was just cut pretty dramatically. We lost something like 900 jobs, and have reintegrated those people elsewhere into the fleet taking jobs that would have been recruited for. I think there's going to be more pain in the future. This is probably why you were DQ'd for something that is generally waiver-able. If you are dead set on becoming a Coastie, write a letter to you congressman or senator (both); include something from a doctor that says you have not had any trouble since you were a child. These letters usually do the trick if there is any chance at all.
By the way I recommend enlisting and applying for OCS from there, I spent eight years as an enlisted guy and loved it. I've been an officer for almost five years now, and the enlisted time is invaluable.
If the congressional doesn't work, and you still want to serve, go to the other recruiters. It's funny I joined the CG because I liked the idea of LE and driving boats, and I ended up in Iraq. But my experience over there had a pretty dramatic effect on my life, has made me a better leader, and shown me what hard work really is. Point being is I believe a deployment to somewhere like Iraq or Afghanistan can help develop/hone your leadership skills and provide you a true understanding of how you perform under "real" pressure. To gain that experience it doesn't matter what color the uniform is, all that matters is your character and how much you apply yourself.
Good luck, shoot me a PM if you would like to discuss further.
I'm a coastie... I worked at Recruiting Command for a while, and was talking to one of my buddy's who is a recruiter. It's tough right now, some areas have a year+ wait-list (white males) it's a little easier for women and males other than white, but not much. Our budget was just cut pretty dramatically. We lost something like 900 jobs, and have reintegrated those people elsewhere into the fleet taking jobs that would have been recruited for. I think there's going to be more pain in the future. This is probably why you were DQ'd for something that is generally waiver-able. If you are dead set on becoming a Coastie, write a letter to you congressman or senator (both); include something from a doctor that says you have not had any trouble since you were a child. These letters usually do the trick if there is any chance at all.
By the way I recommend enlisting and applying for OCS from there, I spent eight years as an enlisted guy and loved it. I've been an officer for almost five years now, and the enlisted time is invaluable.
If the congressional doesn't work, and you still want to serve, go to the other recruiters. It's funny I joined the CG because I liked the idea of LE and driving boats, and I ended up in Iraq. But my experience over there had a pretty dramatic effect on my life, has made me a better leader, and shown me what hard work really is. Point being is I believe a deployment to somewhere like Iraq or Afghanistan can help develop/hone your leadership skills and provide you a true understanding of how you perform under "real" pressure. To gain that experience it doesn't matter what color the uniform is, all that matters is your character and how much you apply yourself.
Good luck, shoot me a PM if you would like to discuss further.
Re: Any USCG members here?
wait...what? they're discriminating for entry based on race?
wait...what? they're discriminating for entry based on race?
Re: Any USCG members here?
Thanks for the info guys. As always you all prove to be a valuable resource. Im actually less interested in being an officer regardless of my education.
My main interest lies in search and rescue, emergency medical care, and survival. I will be attending an EMT program this winter quarter and hopefully volunteering for my local search and rescue unit in september.
Do you guys have any ideas on what units in any branch might closely resemble my interests?
Thanks for the info guys. As always you all prove to be a valuable resource. Im actually less interested in being an officer regardless of my education.
My main interest lies in search and rescue, emergency medical care, and survival. I will be attending an EMT program this winter quarter and hopefully volunteering for my local search and rescue unit in september.
Do you guys have any ideas on what units in any branch might closely resemble my interests?
Re: Any USCG members here?
I was CSAR in the Navy. Picked up guys like Joe
Feel free if you need any questions answered.
I was CSAR in the Navy. Picked up guys like Joe
Feel free if you need any questions answered.
Re: Any USCG members here?
If you want one of the hardest rescue and special operations programs in the world, join the air force pjs.
If you want one of the hardest rescue and special operations programs in the world, join the air force pjs.
Re: Any USCG members here?
I don't care about bestest/toughest.
I spent my time in 'Nam in the littoral areas, Gulf beaches and river valleys, and between the Navy (Swifts ansd a certain Battlewagon named after the state I joined from) and the Coasties (doing mine sweeps and patrols in the river mouths), I made it home.
Semper Paratis from an ancient Shellback/Jarhead. My best Eagle Scouts are currently going through USCG Maritime Law Enforcement training, with no small suggestions from yours truly.
One wanted to be DEA, but his Mom threw a short circuit, so he went USCG instead. Litte does she know...
It would appear he got his wish anyway...
Greg
I don't care about bestest/toughest.
I spent my time in 'Nam in the littoral areas, Gulf beaches and river valleys, and between the Navy (Swifts ansd a certain Battlewagon named after the state I joined from) and the Coasties (doing mine sweeps and patrols in the river mouths), I made it home.
Semper Paratis from an ancient Shellback/Jarhead. My best Eagle Scouts are currently going through USCG Maritime Law Enforcement training, with no small suggestions from yours truly.
One wanted to be DEA, but his Mom threw a short circuit, so he went USCG instead. Litte does she know...
It would appear he got his wish anyway...
Greg
Re: Any USCG members here?
I don't care about bestest/toughest either. Just didn't want to tell the guy to go be a PJ without some kind of disclaimer.
I don't care about bestest/toughest either. Just didn't want to tell the guy to go be a PJ without some kind of disclaimer.
Re: Any USCG members here?
Greg, the Coast Guard Maritime LEO training was something else I was looking at as well. I hear the rating is being expanded though?
Mike, im going to PM you.
I need to do a bit more research on Pararescue and hopefully talk to a member. Is anyone on the Hide involved or know anyone?
Greg, the Coast Guard Maritime LEO training was something else I was looking at as well. I hear the rating is being expanded though?
Mike, im going to PM you.
I need to do a bit more research on Pararescue and hopefully talk to a member. Is anyone on the Hide involved or know anyone?
Re: Any USCG members here?
Wasn't a contradiction, simply an opinion on my own. Those guys patrolling Danang habor in tiny Boston Whalers at nght with searchlights, drawing sniper fire, opening up on floating mines (today we'd call them IED's) with Ma Deuce...; yah, they got <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> respect!
My guys have their heads down too much to give much feedback at the moment. Busy dudes...
Wasn't a contradiction, simply an opinion on my own. Those guys patrolling Danang habor in tiny Boston Whalers at nght with searchlights, drawing sniper fire, opening up on floating mines (today we'd call them IED's) with Ma Deuce...; yah, they got <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> respect!
My guys have their heads down too much to give much feedback at the moment. Busy dudes...
Re: Any USCG members here?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Greg, the Coast Guard Maritime LEO training was something else I was looking at as well. I hear the rating is being expanded though?
Mike, im going to PM you.
I need to do a bit more research on Pararescue and hopefully talk to a member. Is anyone on the Hide involved or know anyone? </div></div>
I was lucky enough to go to the PJ paramedic course. One of my buddies is a PJ in the NG in NY. There used to be a PJ guard unit in Oregon and think there still is and they probably still have a PJ active unit at Mcchord. Can also go here to get more info.
http://www.specialtactics.com/
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Greg, the Coast Guard Maritime LEO training was something else I was looking at as well. I hear the rating is being expanded though?
Mike, im going to PM you.
I need to do a bit more research on Pararescue and hopefully talk to a member. Is anyone on the Hide involved or know anyone? </div></div>
I was lucky enough to go to the PJ paramedic course. One of my buddies is a PJ in the NG in NY. There used to be a PJ guard unit in Oregon and think there still is and they probably still have a PJ active unit at Mcchord. Can also go here to get more info.
http://www.specialtactics.com/
Re: Any USCG members here?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want one of the hardest rescue and special operations programs in the world, join the air force pjs.</div></div>
respect where respect is due. They take their knowledge to an entirely new level.
We can match them in the water but what they do on land and how they do it...top professionals.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want one of the hardest rescue and special operations programs in the world, join the air force pjs.</div></div>
respect where respect is due. They take their knowledge to an entirely new level.
We can match them in the water but what they do on land and how they do it...top professionals.
Re: Any USCG members here?
I've worked with PJ's on a couple SAR cases (where CG assets weren't available) and I have to tell you that these guys are true professionals and their equipment is the best.
SAR is very rewarding, but so is LE. I like them both, but always feel more pressure with SAR cases. I finished the Maritime Boarding Officer School in '06 and had a lot of fun, word is that the LE school is going to become accredited, so that we won't have to attend FLETC if we get out ad decide to take a federal LE job.
I really think writing the congressional could help in your case Garrett. I would give it a shot, and see what happens.
I've worked with PJ's on a couple SAR cases (where CG assets weren't available) and I have to tell you that these guys are true professionals and their equipment is the best.
SAR is very rewarding, but so is LE. I like them both, but always feel more pressure with SAR cases. I finished the Maritime Boarding Officer School in '06 and had a lot of fun, word is that the LE school is going to become accredited, so that we won't have to attend FLETC if we get out ad decide to take a federal LE job.
I really think writing the congressional could help in your case Garrett. I would give it a shot, and see what happens.
Re: Any USCG members here?
I think I will, thanks guys. I have to admit though... I have been doing some more research and I am SERIOUSLY tempted by the Pararescue program...
I think I will, thanks guys. I have to admit though... I have been doing some more research and I am SERIOUSLY tempted by the Pararescue program...
