What is the female perspective of the US Coast Guard?

Question

I am seriously considering the USCG. I am actually going today to speak with a recruiter.
I am 25, female, no children and in decent shape. There is nothing holding me back other than the fear of the unknown. I wanted to find some real experiences to help fuel my decision.
This will be the biggest thing I have ever done. I know that it's not going to be all sunshine and roses, however I have a strong disire to succeed and for once in my life I want to be proud of my choices.
From a womans point of view, what is basic like? What would be the best way to prepare? Pros and Cons?

Thanks in advance.
DeAnna

Answer 1

GREAT! i am a woman who went to basic and soon officer candidate school. unlike the other services, we dont discriminate! Woman can do EVERY job! Yes, at basic you do all the same stuff as the males....but they really dont expect you to do it all-the fact that your trying is enough. besides im a female and I got the most physically fit award at graduation! when your out in the fleet males dont treat you any different, they dont expect you to just do "woman" jobs...matter of fact ive NEVER felt under minded or anything. at basic the most important part is NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU CRY! trust me just dont do it. if you get down and dirty, SOUND OFF!(most important...YELL) like the men and give it your all, they will see that and they wont mess with you. if you ask me the woman had it better at basic because there is less of us and we "naturally" can work together-unlike the men who are in constant competition. also, trust me you will find a lot more men in worse shape than you! haha if your company commanders are all men (like most) they cant even come into your bathroom-we would hide out on there ALL the time. ask the recruiter to watch the basic movie-it will give you a pretty good idea. really all it is is knowing what your getting into.... A LOT OF YELLING-but that's all it is yelling...so what we all yell? dont get intimidated,,,there trying to prepare you for the "real" life-people will be yelling at you on boardings and whatever else. good luck to ya!

Answer 2

I am not a female but I know some stuff. Running and calisthenics and it is a good idea to be able to swim.

I work with a woman who was in the Coast Guard and then the Reserves. She was stationed in Honolulu Hawaii.

Can you stand it?

We are proud of you, and thank you for considering service to your country. Contact me for more information.

Answer 3

I do not know what the girl above said about "non discrimination" but from personal experience I strongly disagree. I can't tell you the amount of times I was told that I couldn't do something because "I was a female"

it is all about the command and what their females are. My XO (of a small boat station) told me first day during sign in that he does "not believe females should be in the military"

80% of people who get an admin. discharged (usually because they were found to be "unfit for the military lifestyle") are females. I even knew of a chief that was discharged after 23 years for finding to be unfit to adjust to military life. What took them TWENTY THREE years to figure out that this female is not adjusting to the military?

Why are females who report sexual assaults in the coast guard discharged while their "assaulters" are usually promoted?

The military is NOT ready for female. hate saying it but its true. do yourself a favor and do not join.