For a various reasons, I want to get back into military service. I was in the Army 3 years, yet this is not what I am thinking of if I re-enlist. I am thinking of going coast guard. Mostly financial and for reasons that the coast guard actually helps fellow Americans and is part of the law enforcement here in the states. My life feels empty if I am not helping my fellow person.
However for various reasons, I am hesitant to go back. For one, I was very unhappy in the Army (one of the reasons I left.) and a basic term in the Coast Guard is 4 years. I am hesitant to go into something that long just to find out I am not happy with it and not a good fit and be miserable again for that long.
IS there any way I can sign up for less then that amount of time? Can some one talk me into or out of this decision. I am sitting on the fence here.
2007-10-07 15:34:07 · 11 answers · asked by PeguinBackPacker 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Talk to a recruiter - see what they will offer you. Try to find 3-4 people in the Coast Guard or ex-CG that you can talk to.
2007-10-07 15:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by Info_Please 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Coast guard has a lot of crap assignments also - bouy tender duty for instance. Check army/air national guard also. CG also has a reserve from which you can go active if you choose.
Being prior service, you do not have to enlist for 4 years, but you need to talk to a recruiter for exact details.
In general, I'd say yes you should come back in the mil. The CG is small & selective, but a great service I havea lot of respect for. Regardless of service, as you well know, the job specialty is far more important than the service you do it in. Just weigh your options and make a good informed decision. Good luck!!
2007-10-07 19:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by djack 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was in the Marine Corps back in the 60’s for four years, did 13 months in Vietnam and was guaranteed another tour there if I reenlisted. I wanted to be a carrier Marine but just couldn’t get my self psyched into all that crap that happens in a war. But I’ll admit I do regret not reenlisting, I was a service brat and had been service oriented my whole life. Any branch of the service can give you all the advantages in the world if you ask and strive for them. Four years is a very short time and like I said if you take advantage of the things offered and work to succeed you will be rewarded in more ways then you can imagine.
2007-10-07 15:54:44 · answer #3 · answered by Ghias and Beagles 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people join the military because of financial reasons.The Army is all me,but the coast guard may give you another chance for a great experience that the army didn't give you.Think about what you are getting into for you do it.The Navy has the shortest deployments for sure and the Army has the longest.Find the best enlistment bonus for you and choose a job that you will enjoy doing too!
2007-10-07 16:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by purposeborn_08 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you didn't like military life the first time, you probably won't like it the second time. But, if you really want to try a different service in case that would improve how you do, perhaps if the Coast Guard has a reserve component, you could try it part time . Don't think they have enlistments for less than 4 years tho.
2007-10-07 15:41:10 · answer #5 · answered by MSG 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YOU are the one who must make this decision.
Sorry, the coast guard does not offer a "try it free for 90 days " trial period. Nor does anyone else.
You better decide one way or the other. You run a great risk of going through life saying "I wish I would have stayed in."
The Pennsylvania Dutch have a great saying --- Either **** or get off the pot!"
2007-10-07 15:43:53 · answer #6 · answered by TedEx 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Get off the fence, if you tell me where you are, I will be happy to knock you off the fence! I just retired from the USAF after 20+ years. If you have to ask answers what to do, I don't want you in my military. We have Men and Women serving in harms way every hour of every day; and you come off with "I am hesitant to go into something that long just to find out I am not happy with it and not a good fit and be miserable again for that long." Please!!! I do not want you defending my freedom! I see many fine young people doing it every day, and my hat is off to them! Push comes to shove and I will be right there beside them!
You just go ahead and sit on your fence!
2007-10-07 15:56:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
OK for one if you didn't like one more than likely you won't like the other. Two just how where you helping people in the army where you a medic?? If not you where just a victim of the machine.Don't feel bad it took me 8 years to realize that i was nothing but a tool training more tools to keep the machine rolling. Want to help people educate your self in whats going on in the world and quit being another chess peace in there game.
2007-10-07 17:08:30 · answer #8 · answered by joe l 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Look into law enforcement, i think its the closest we can get without re-joining. Use your GI BILL! its there for a reason. All im saying is do some looking before you jump again. If finacial reasons is your only reason, there is a ton of things on the civilian side we can do. Check into govt contract jobs, they pay well.
2007-10-07 15:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by Vincent 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Join the Fire Department
2007-10-07 16:18:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋