Enlisting?

Explorer

Serve your country and make us proud.

John T

The coast guard has an important role in our nation. They're constantly patrolling the shores. Saving the stupid. Stopping drugrunners. There job doesn't stop when peace comes.

Go for it.

redstaterandy

God Bless & Good Luck!

Colonel

You might want to look into the Air Force as well. They are not as "gungho" as the Army or Marines but they offer lots of opportunities, including educational.
The Air Force may offer more travel that the Coast Guard. They also have several scholarship programs, commissioning programs, and programs that allow you to get your college degree during your initial (first) enlistment. They have several jobs available and again they have several educational opportunities for their enlisted folks.

M E

have you talked to any of the recruiters for each of the branches of the military? that is where you will find all of you answers. my son is leaving for the Marine Corp at the end of this month.
good luck, and stay safe!

abouch66

You'll probably have to do a minimum of 3 years, or more based on your mos. The longer and more expensive your training is, the longer they're gonna keep you for. Don't worry about being all gungho, you'll live a better life style in the coast gaurd or air force. The most important thing is choosing a job thats gonna make you happy. Bragging rights are nice, but its not worth basing your career just on the right to say you're tough.

Automation Wizard

There is another option that you could consider. You could go to college right out of high school and then enlist after that. The increased education would help both you and the armed forces.

The Air force might be a great place for you.

Thank you for wanting to serve your country in this way. It isn't a path for sissies, and you sound like you have what it takes.

cpl3043usmc

If you want info on enlisting, talk to the recruiters--but be careful, they will try to sell you on their specific Branch of Service.

Check out the websites of each Branch: http://www.goarmy.com, http://www.navy.com, http://www.airforce.com, http://www.marines.com, and http://www.uscg.mil

Don't think that one Branch is more "manly" than another. One of my friends was in the Coast Guard and did drug interdiction in the Gulf of Mexico. It takes cajones the size of cobblestones to pull over and board a boat full of drug-runners who are armed, don't want to be arrested, and are willing to kill you to get away.

As for contract length, all initial contracts are 8 years long, regardless of whether you go active duty or reserve component. If you go in the Reserves, it's usually six years of Reserve duty followed by two years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)--this is known as a 6-by-2. If you go active duty, it's normally for four years of active duty service and then four years of IRR, but some active duty jobs require five years (or more) of active service because of the length of training for the job.

You've got some time before you can sign a contract on your own--you need to be 18--but you could get your parents to sign a parental consent form if you decide to enlist before then.

Personally, I'd tell you to do what is right for YOU. I've said it several times on the Y! boards. Do the research, find what you're looking for, and go for it. Just make sure it is what YOU want to do, because it's a big commitment.

Good luck with your decision, I hope the info above helped.

Ktwman

You could always do the reserves. Its weekend duty and when needed are activated. Youre life could be stable but you could develope the sense of pride it sounds like youre looking for. Dont worry about people thinking your weak for being in a certain branch. Look for the branch that best suits you and your interests. You want to be successful in what you do so you should like it.

ladyleonaria

First, consider enlisting in the guard or reserves instead of active duty.

Coast Guard, I believe, at this time requires some college for enlistees, so you will have to choose from the base four...Take your ASVAB, and those scores will help you choose which branch.

I recommend Air Force or perhaps Navy.

I am former Air Force, my husband is former Marines and Army...he's the one physically hurting from the abuse of his body while in service.

You can enlist in the Reserves or Guard for six years to get GI Bill for college, and in some states, they pay your tuition for you, so you have your GI Bill free and clear for living expenses, as well as your drill money, and if you are in a good unit, they can give you active duty time to help with income. Money will be TIGHT, don't get me wrong, but it is a good way to go to college, and you can still get financial aid for college as well.

gregpasq

I hate to tell you this, but the Coast Guard isn't really the military....they fall under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense....and before anyone flames in, yes, I realize they have a military-style function....but nobody in the four branches sees them as military personnel. They're like a Border Patrol/law enforcement unit who also perform search and rescue operations.....

nature lover

You have two years to think about it. The military only accepts High School Diplomas except in very rare cases. Take your time, there is no hurry here. Do your research, and best of luck to you.

wooper

I like to make lists. Sit down and write the things that interest you in life, things you enjoy, things you would like to do, etc. Go and talk to recruiters from all branches of the services and see what they have to offer that meet the goals you have listed. Then you can make an educated decision.

Please remember though, these recruiters are very good salesmen (I'm not knocking them, just letting you know) and they can make enlisting sound like the best thing in the world. I would bring your parents with you because an extra ear can really be helpful.

Good luck.

Adam the return SFCU

trust me guy the coast guard is no less "manly" then the army or the marines, service to the country is service. and god bless you for wanting to do it.

I say go for the gold and enlist with the coast guard if thats what you want to do.

katefields1

Eh, don't do something because of what people might think of you. Think about all the training you'll go through just to be "hooah" for the sake of some person's opinion. Sounds kind of silly, huh?

Just do what you want to do. You're the one who's going to have to live it.

thechief66

Well if you're looking at enlisted and going to college, serve enough time to get the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance. If you're getting good grades, then any service will be able to make use of your intelligence. I advise that you talk to recruiters of all of the branches of service and see which one you like the best. There is nothing un-manly about any of the services, it's all about finding what YOU want to do.

Red Sox '07

I don't know the Coast Guard's policies, but as far as the 4 branches go, you can do 3 or 3 years, but you will still be under contract for 8 total, which means they can call you back.

The other people are right, there is no hurry. You could do a combination of college and the military, getting them to pay off your loans. Once you get your degree, get some military experience, you will be sought after by civilian recruiters.

Harley

As far as I know, no one does 2-3 year enlistments (don't hold me to that, I just can't recall anyone doing so).

Also, the Coast Guard is NOT weak. You think it's easy to jump into 30 degree oceans with ice flows coming at you trying to rescue some stupid drunk guy that fell in at night? Yes that really happens, I lived in Kodiak, Alaska (father stationed there). There is nothing weak about the Coasties, they have some of the best technology out there and don't require an "okay" to shoot someone. Is it not manly to sneak onto a ship with your weapon drawn to take on drug smugglers?

If you don't want to do the Coast Guard...don't. The Corps is hard as hell but fun too. The Army has a lot of great technology as well. You can get an education while serving in any branch, they have distance learning programs with different colleges.

One more thing regarding the Coasties, during war-time, they are considered DOD (Dept. of Defense). We even had 2 of our Coasties die in Iraq.

Mr. Pickles

If you're on a two to three year & get out plan then I wouldn't enlist in the military. Bush is keeping those guys there indefinitely & he doesn't have an exit strategy. The Coast Guard might be a good option for you.

don't.

i have always been a big supporter of the military so its not out of anti-war thinking or anything like that.

my specific experience has been with the army. one thing you need to know though is once you join whatever branch your life is no longer your own, they own you. also in the army they do not take care of their soldiers very well, many of them are injured during basic and ait and their injuries ignored. i know of several guys who had fractures and broken bones and were told it was 'all in there head' give ibuprofen and sent back into training. if you get sent to PTRP (physical therapy rehab program) then you are in big trouble, they treat you like a prisoner (actually worse than a prisoner) and berate, belittle and humiliate you because you are somehow weak by getting hurt and to top it all off they do not give them treatment to heal. i know one guy in there right now has been training on a fractured tibia (since march) and so far he has had no treatment...no cast, nothing and they use him to mop floors and clean up after superiors, he is allowed very little contact with his family and no passes. its as if they are punishing him for a fracture they overlooked ! anyway, stay in school, get your education and live your life. otherwise you go in for 3 1/2 yrs. minimum, although if you read the contract you are actually joining for 8, you are active duty for 3 1/2 but if there is a war and they need you, they can call you to active duty in those next 4 1/2. the thing is too since its not a big deal to you and you do well in school why risk your life for that. you can bet if you join you will go to the 'sand box' or somewhere like it.

Lauren

My older brother who i love tremendously is in the marines he was gone for 3 years to fight in iraq and came back for 3 years he has to go back to iraq for 1 year now again he has an older marine friend who is helping him not go back.....i would delebrate about this decision....the coats guard is WAYYY safer than the marines or navy my brother went in at age 18....so if you really want to do this go ahead but is a risky move the only way you can really get out is if you go in reserve.......

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