What do you think of the US Coast Guard?

Question

I'm thinking about joining.
I've been thinking of it since June?
Watched the Guardian Movie and everything.

Compared to the Navy, which seems like a problem with respect, what do you think of the Coast Guard?

I'm not the type of person doing drills, and war, and such, on a big ship.
I'm more of a person, let's just say that it fits me alot better, im 17 graduating early with my g.e.d.

Answer 1

Dont listen to these people. Its up to you. Check out the different branches of the military first but keep your mind open to the coast guard. All branches of the Armed Forces are great and each does an important and special job. Sometimes the National Guad and Coast Guard are overlooked when they should not be. They are just as much part of the military as any other branch.
Try to talk to some people other than your recruiter who have been in the coast guard one on one. They would be able to give you more info and a fair picture of what its about than people on here. Most on here will only try to steer you into their branch of the service(if they were Navy they will tell you join Navy, if they were Air Force they will tell you join Air Force). Join what intrests you, not what others tell you to do.

Answer 2

Just to clarify some points a bit... The CG is currently in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bahrain along with several other locations around the globe. There are instances where the CG has seen combat action in recent years. In past years they were the river rats in VietNam, they were the ones that drove quite a few of the troop transports that left soldiers on the beaches in WWII. They were in WWI, Korea and every other war this country has been in and will continue to be involved on whatever level is needed. Yes, they do guard the coast. They also go around Cape Horn, the Cape of Good Hope, through the Panama Canal, up into the Arctic ice, down to the Antarctic. My son has been enlisted for about 2.5 years and he has been to 12 foreign countries. My ex-husband is a Captain in the CG, he has been to over 20 countries, including Russia and a year tour in Iraq where he earned the Bronze Star. So people who say they don't venture to far from the coast of the US are 100% inaccurate! The CG is now and will continue to be worldwide.

Answer 3

This is a funny question.

1) The Coast Guard is exactly like the Navy except that they don't deploy. The CG actually becomes part of the navy in a time of war.

2) You watched a movie about a SAR rescue team (one of the most demanding jobs in the Navy or Coast Guard), but you don't want to drill.

3) You don't want to do wars and stuff on a big ship, but when you're doing drug interdiction on a Coast Guard cutter, you'll be fighting in a war very much like the Navy does, with the exception of launching planes off a deck and missiles out of tubes. And guess what? More than 12 miles outside our own waters YOU'RE GOING TO BE ESCORTED BY THE US NAVY!

That just kills me!

Look, I'm not trying to make you look dumb, it's just funny. Don't watch movies and think that the military is the same. It's Hollywood. They wouldn't know a sailor if he slapped 'em on the rump!

CG is a good outfit. You'll basically be a sailor that never goes to sea. You'll get an assignment somewhere in a port city and you'll have a regular job.

Chances are you'll get to take some part in rescues, either by water or air crew, but that doesn't mean you'll be in a RHIB or a Saberhawk. You'll be part of a crew, and you'll either hate it or love it.

On the way back from Australia, my ship rescued 2 people from a private sailboat about 500 miles from anywhere (2 had gone down, and the other 2 were sitting on their upside down boat with the mast broken off for 3 days). We picked them up and carried them to New Caledonia. While they were on board the crew got to do stuff for them, even with a crew of 380 a lot of us took part. We raised about $2000 for them and sent them away with some stuff from the ships store and supply.

People who don't serve don't get to tell stories like this.

Answer 4

Then you prefer join a gym.....Respect is everywhere in the military....Everyone does drills....and the Coast Guard also goes to war. The Coast Guard is currently in the waters near Iraq...

So if you want to stay fit and wear a unifom, you might consider the Boy Scouts

Watching a Hollywood video does not qualify you for service...Its Hollywood

Answer 5

Keep in mind, that in times of war, Coast Guarders are called to serve overseas to run harbor operations for the military.

I know a few folks who have been in the Coast Guard. One was in the reserve, which meant he spent a couple weeks per year guarding Ohio's southern coast (The Ohio River). He was an awsome poker player. Then when the Iraq war broke out he got called up full time to replace guys who were sent overseas to patrol harbor operations in the Gulf.

Answer 6

Hi! I'm 17, too, a senior in high school, and planning on going to University of San Diego. I think the Coast Guard is a GREAT THING! It's something they I'm actually wanting to be part of the US Coast Guard. "So Others May Live." That is what I want to do. I want to go out there and save people from death and harm. The Guardian gives a good example of what they do. What you see in that movie is very much like what they do. I am going to become a "swimmer" myself, and it doesn't look like the easiest job. I want to start training as soon as possible (after college possibly). *Var. Swim & H2O polo REP.* -Chandee (Shawndee)

Answer 7

You should go reserve, then you can see what it's like. It's one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Don't worry aboout the GED it doesn't matter. Study for the ASVAB if you haven't already taken it. The higher your score the better job you will most likely have. IE higher scores have electronic related jobs in air conditioned spaces. Do NOT go undesignated! Good luck!

Answer 8

I think its a great way to go.. You mostly deal with drugs and saving people and such, but it is still the military and you will still have wargames and such.

I personally would join the CG before I would join the Navy/

Answer 9

The coast guard is a bunch of Navy want to Be's
Go for the real thing buddy go Navy
Did my tour with the Navy best thing that ever happened to me.
Be smart and get a guarantee with the recruiter so he does not just send you out to sea
Good Luck

Answer 10

The Coast Guard are the best sea police EVER!!! It is too bad they are classified as a military branch. I see them more as something like Border Patrol meets County Sheriff.