USCG Experience a MUST!

I just want to say that if your cadet is undecided as to whether or not to attend the USCG Academy then please make sure that you attend the overnight “Academy Experience” program. We live in Denver and flew out to CT last month to check it out. My son and I were both impressed to say the least. Your son/daughter is immersed into the cadets’ daily routine (even if only for a day). The experience is extremely valuable, something in which can not be gained via emails, phone calls or chat. We have spent quite some time around the AF Academy (only 55 miles from our home) and the campus at the CG Academy was far more appealing to my son. It is smaller, close to the water (which he loves, as he is lived near the beach in FL for 11 years) and the student body is also smaller (a very select group of people). Everyone he and I came in contact with had a very upbeat attitude and was extremely professional. My son made some friends during his visit and has since been in contact with a couple of cadets and coaches. He has made his decision to attend. There is no doubt that he will receive a top-notch education as well as begin the start of an outstanding career as a USCG Officer.
If you are planning on attending and have any questions please ask and I will try to answer your questions.
LT Miller, and staff of the admissions office: Thank you for running this program!

My daughter attended AIM last year.. that's a whole week at CGA.. she did love it!

i have a few friends there now and im applying myself.. my only issue is that i've always wanted to fly and being on a cutter the first two years of my career isn't very appealing.. its harder to fly in the coast guard than air force

Not really; I have heard that a higher percentage of Coasties go on to flight school than do Zoomies. Anybody else hear that one? More than 20 kids are going on to flight school from this year's class. Check out the other thread on billet night for more on this.

Boss: I've heard the same thing. Im sure there is some hard data out there to support it.

As for the AEP or "bean-sprout" program that the cadets call it, I had an awesome time. My dad and I went from California to CT. The experience was eye-opening. I went in october, but I wish i had gone now after I have received my appointment. Anyways, if anyone is thinking about attending the AEP, then I would highly recommend it.

sorry i'll try to be more precise as to what i meant.. i THINK you can get more of what you want if you go air force (for flying).. with the coast guard you have five airframes to choose from... two helicopters and three fixed wings (assuming the significantly upgraded models are the same "airframe") but with the air force if you want to go fighter you have many options, as with heavy lift or cargo... another thing is that the PERCENTAGE of coasties going flight may be higher because there are more options in the air force.. but i think air force has more numerically

flcarm1964, thanks for your post on the USCGA Academy Experience. My son is scheduled in March for his overnight visit. I was wondering if you had any advice in regards to preparing for this visit.... Anything you or your son would have done differently before arriving or while you were there?

It's true that there is a higher percentage of pilots in the Coast Guard than in the Air Force.

However, there is a higher percentage of USAFA grads that get pilot slots right after graduation than USCGA grads. And for good reasons - the USAF has many many more planes that need flying.

For the USCGA class of 2009, there were 23 pilot billets out of 231 graduates, which is 10%. More will go flight school after their first 2-years cutter tour. I believe the USAFA numbers were around 40%.

Of course, we are only assuming that more Coasties wanted a pilot slot and only 23 were available. Perhaps only 23 wanted flight and perhaps there were 50 slots available?

Packerfan735 said:

...im applying myself.. my only issue is that i've always wanted to fly and being on a cutter the first two years of my career isn't very appealing..

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Then why would you apply to a sea-going service if being on a cutter is not your thing?

my dads been flying coast guard for 20 some years now.. i love the coast guard mission.. but if im going to be in the coast guard, i wanna fly.. now applying to the academy is a backup to the air force academy but i would go to the coast guard academy in a heartbeat... i like ships and i could possibly be deployed on one if i fly for the coast guard... but as for being stationed on a ship for TWO YEARS!?! no thanks.. thats why i have better chances of flying in the air force..

Packerfan735 said:

my dads been flying coast guard for 20 some years now.. i love the coast guard mission.. but if im going to be in the coast guard, i wanna fly.. now applying to the academy is a backup to the air force academy but i would go to the coast guard academy in a heartbeat... i like ships and i could possibly be deployed on one if i fly for the coast guard... but as for being stationed on a ship for TWO YEARS!?! no thanks.. thats why i have better chances of flying in the air force..

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So you would take the appointment to New London and the risk of getting one of 23 flight slots?

What would you do if you go to USCGA and do not get flight, and instead are ordered to report to a cutter for your first tour?

Can't say "No thanks" at that time.

Luigi59 said:

So you would take the appointment to New London and the risk of getting one of 23 flight slots?

What would you do if you go to USCGA and do not get flight, and instead are ordered to report to a cutter for your first tour?

Can't say "No thanks" at that time.

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and i realize that.. which is why im weighing out my options now and probably going to accept an appointment to colorado springs over one to new london

cool congrats....

I think I remember reading you had an appt to AFA, just curious why you havent accepted it yet? and why you are still waiting for the CGA if the AFA is your first choice?

just asking....

a lot can happen between now and may and i haven't heard from the coast guard yet... just keeping my options open for now... nothing bad will happen if i dont send in my acceptance now..

Packerfan735 said:

a lot can happen between now and may and i haven't heard from the coast guard yet... just keeping my options open for now... nothing bad will happen if i dont send in my acceptance now..

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Absolutely, if you are undecided, take all the time you need to decide. You earned the USAFA appointment, you have until May 1 to accept of decline.

There is nothing wrong with waiting to see IF you get an appointment to USCGA.

But I'm curious as the "what" can happen (you say "a lot") between now and May that would change your mind, given your distaste for serving on a cutter?
.

I have to agree with BOSS. When we were there a few weeks ago the admin people presented some stats. It is true a greater percentage of cadets go in to flight than any other service academy. However you can go also apply for flight after your first tour. Besides being at sea can be rewarding. I served 22+ years in the Navy and was always amazed how many people freaked out when they got orders to a ship. Navy = Ships. And I believe the Coasties in here will agree, that alot of experience is gained. And I bet that they do have a lot of fond memories of service afloat. Also...they are letting a few grads to directly into the Navy SEAL program.

bossf51 said:

Not really; I have heard that a higher percentage of Coasties go on to flight school than do Zoomies. Anybody else hear that one? More than 20 kids are going on to flight school from this year's class. Check out the other thread on billet night for more on this.

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flcarm1964 said:

It is true a greater percentage of cadets go in to flight than any other service academy.

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It is not true.

23 cadet flight slots were handed out to the Class of 2009 last Thursday at the USCGA.

23 out of 231 = 10% going to flight.

USAFA will graduate close to 1,000 this year. Do you think they will have less than 100 pilot slots?

On the contrary, they will have somewhere near 500, a MUCH higher percentage of cadets going to flight (45%-50%) than what is available at USCGA.

What confuses people is the fact that there is a higher percentage of pilots in the USCG than in the USAF.

But not all of those pilots come directly to flight from the USCGA.

Some do, but some will come from OCS, some will come from Blue21, and some will come from cross-commissioning from the other branches. And some will serve their first 2-year tour on a cutter and then go to flight.



Oh well, back on topic - Yes, anyone who has an appointment who has not visited the academy should do so, it is beautiful in the spring.