Plan B questions

jbnll

jbnll

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Joined
Apr 7, 2016
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Plan B, I was just looking for some advice. Is EA helpful for plan B? I have a son, who doesn't really have or want a plan B, he wants to be in the Coast Guard. When I mention the other Academies and going for a nomination, he says he wants to be in the Coast Guard. lol When I say what do you think your plan B will be, he says he will enlist if not accepted. Is that a viable option? if he enlists will they take note and help him become an officer that way? He has a good GPA 3.89, Varsity letters, leadership, athletic. Latest SATs 770 math, wr 700. If he gets accepted into a different academy can he eventually go to Coast guard? Trying to figure out how this works...Thanks for your help!
 
I think some of us can relate to your situation.
Merchant Marine - he could seek an appointment with CG on graduation. The other academies would require 5 years of service before he could transfer unless there is a shortcut I am unaware of.
My DS looked at CG enlistment and it is very competitive with a waitlist in some states. So depending on the waitlist, it may not be something that happens right away.
I do not have any knowledge on applying to Officer School from enlisted.
EA would be my recommendation. However the nomination for the other academies would have to be obtained before results of EA were known.
Plan B for a diehard CGA is to also apply to local college and spend 1 year local before reapplying if candidate does not get in first time. EA would give a candidate plenty of time to consider the plan B local college.
 
If he is set on being a CG officer, there are multiple options. I would suggest your son download the Coast Guard's Officer Job Application Kit (OJAK). It provides good detailed information on all of the commissioning programs and provides lots of statistics on acceptance rates.

http://www.gocoastguard.com/sites/default/files/uploads/ojak_1_01_apr_16.pdf

Specific programs, beyond the CGA, that might be of interest to your son is the MARGRAD Program (Direct commissioning for Maritime Academy graduates - MMA, and the various state maritime academies) and CSPI. To participate in CSPI, you must attend a "historically Black College or University" or a "Hispanic Serving Institution" (There is a list of qualifying colleges or universities), the program is open to any student enrolled in these institutions regardless of race. Enlisted GG personnel with a rank of E-3 or higher also are eligible for this program provided they gain acceptance to a qualifying institution. Good Luck.
 
Thank you both so much! Very new to this, exactly the info we were looking for. Appreciated!
 
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