The USCG closely designs basic training after the Marine Corps. The Sailor said overall Coast Guard boot camp was tougher, and the Marine said mentally Coast Guard boot camp was more challenging. My lead CC was even a former Marine and said mentally it is more challenging.
The Coast Guard employs various small arms including handguns, shotguns, rifles, and machine guns.
Voluntary Separations.In some cases, members will be allowed to simply leave their contract and go on their merry way. However, members often incur a service commitment to the Guard or Reserves if they leave active duty early. This could be a Regular Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) commitment.
The Coast Guard is one of the more difficult branches to join because it accepts far fewer new recruits than the other branches of the military. If you have a GED, it will probably be difficult to be accepted into the Coast Guard. You will have to undergo a credit check and pass a security clearance check.
The Coast Guard deploys.The Coast Guard has also provided security and support to Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom. In wartime, the Coast Guard can also be called to augment the Navy. Stateside, Coasties deploy every day in their duties – there are cutters out for months at a time.
The Coast Guard life is not a typical military lifestyle. Unlike other military services, which operate large government housing tracts on military bases, most Coast Guard officers live in the local community.
The U.S. Coast Guard has a number of special operations forces, or deployable specialized forces (DSF), organized under its regional commands (Atlantic and Pacific Areas).
U.S. Coast Guard pays its employees an average of $73,425 a year. Salaries at U.S. Coast Guard range from an average of $37,898 to $131,601 a year.
All active-duty enlisted members entering the Coast Guard start out making approximately $20,000 annually. This is just basic pay. Members may also be entitled to other allowances depending on their status.
For example, if someone's rate is Petty Officer 2nd Class and his rating is Boatswain's Mate; when combined, Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (BM2) defines both. Although rates E-7 above are abbreviated similar to E-4 to E-6, the combined rating is listed before rate when completely spelled out.
Boatswains Mate "A" SchoolTraining for Boatswain's Mate is accomplished through 14 weeks of intensive training at BM “A” School located at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, VA.
To move up in rank to a Seaman Apprentice, you must complete Coast Guard basic training and have a recommendation of the commanding officer.
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers (E-7 through E-9) wear a fouled anchor and sheld collar device similar to the Navy CPO.
Navy personnel are called sailors, those in the Marine Corps are called “Marines” (note the capitalized M), the Coast Guard calls its people “Coast Guardsmen,” and the National Guard uses whatever branch personnel belong to (Air National Guard members called airmen, for example).
E-1 to E-3
| Rate title | U.S. DoD Pay grade | Abbreviation |
|---|
| Fireman apprentice | E-2 | FA |
| Airman apprentice | E-2 | AA |
| Seaman | E-3 | SN |
| Fireman | E-3 | FN |
Coast Guard Missions The Coast Guard does not fall under the Department of Defense. However, the Coast Guard is considered a military service, because, during times of war or conflict, the President of the United States can transfer any or all assets of the Coast Guard to the Department of the Navy.
In the battle of Navy vs. Coast Guard, the Navy wins the heavyweight title. The Navy boasts 325,000 active duty and 107,000 reserve sailors, while the Coast Guard has just over 40,000 active duty personnel and 7,600 reservists.
If you have served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or any National Guard or Reserve components you may be eligible to continue your military service in the Coast Guard.
If you have served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or any National Guard or Reserve components, you may be eligible to continue your military service in the Coast Guard. This program is know as the Coast Guard's Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Course (DEPOT) in Cape May, New Jersey.
Coast Guardsmen are paid based on pay grade and status, the same as other military branches. The total package of benefits provided by The US Coast Guard is better than most benefit packages provided to entry level desk jobs of civilian companies.
To join the Coast Guard Reserve, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien between 18 and 39 years old (17 with parental consent). While GEDs are sometimes accepted, high school diplomas are preferred.
