Is it possible to get a commission with the USCG ?
Absolutely. I know quite a few officers who have taken the KP route to commissioning. After graduating from Kings Point, you go through a Coast Guard officer training period (somewhere around 16 weeks I believe) and then receive a commission as a USCG officer and a lifelong teasing from CGA grads. Of course, two can play at that game.
Absolutely. I know quite a few officers who have taken the KP route to commissioning. After graduating from Kings Point, you go through a Coast Guard officer training period (somewhere around 16 weeks I believe) and then receive a commission as a USCG officer and a lifelong teasing from CGA grads. Of course, two can play at that game.
So, pretty much, attending OCS right after graduation is all you have to do?
No you don't attend OCS, you receive your commission and are sworn in at your USMMA graduation if you want to switch over to the dark side.
Mission: "The mission of the Direct Commission Officer School is to prepare recently promoted Direct Commission Officers to serve effectively as commissioned officers of the United States Coast Guard."
Direct Commission Officer (DCO) School prepares newly commissioned officers from the Coast Guard Enlisted or Warrant Officer ranks as well as prior officers from other U.S. military services, the Public Health Service, Maritime Academy graduates, and prior civilians with professional degrees to serve in specific critical fill billets throughout the Coast Guard. The DCO course is 3 to 5 weeks in duration, depending on each member's prior experience, and provides these newly commissioned officers with a foundation of basic administrative and leadership skills on which to build their careers as Coast Guard Officers. Generally, PHS officers, Prior Trained Military Officers and Direct Commission Aviators will attend a four-week course. Former Coast Guard enlisted members who graduated the CPO Academy will attend a three-week course. Unless otherwise indicated on their orders to the course, all other members will attend a five-week course, including a brief military indoctrination period to ensure a full understanding of the military culture, customs and courtesies is achieved.
If you have been selected for the DCO program, consult the Reporting Guide for specific information to prepare you for the course.
My question is why would you want to go to the USMMA if your primary goal is to become a Coast Guard Officer. There is no better choice for this purpose than the fine institution that I call home: The United States Coast Guard Academy. If you don't get into the CGA the first time, you can always go to a prep school or college and apply again next year. There are a lot of self-preps in my class.
Best of luck to you!
There's no need to question the choice of schools of anyone on this forum. I am pretty sure they realize that the Coast Guard has their own academy. Perhaps they are applying to KP in addition to CGA, or maybe they want a stronger background in the civilian maritime industry.
I don't know if it was intentional or not, but when I read your post, it seems to me that you are putting down KP. Please keep high and mighty comments like that where they belong, on the sports field.
Sam, I can tell you exactly what one would choose KP over CGA....CHOICE....CHOICE AND MORE CHOICES....My DS was accepted to KP, USNA, USCGA and accepted KP. Guess what...this year when he graduates he can commission into any service. He was gung ho Coast Guard, but after doing internships with them, he decided that perhaps that is NOT what he wants. Same with Navy, etc......
No other Service Academy gives you this ability, and that is one reason one may choose one over the other.
Again, all SA's give you a fine education and preparation for a commission in the armed forces, and as said before, the smack talk should be reserved for the sports field.
Keep in mind that many HS seniors may think they know what they want and then suddenly they spend 4 months at sea and realize they have choices. My DA was also accepted into multiple academiles; chose KP and now thinks he wants to sail. His mind changes daily. All SA's offer great educations and opportunities..one is NOT better than the other (except on game day) and all students should be applauded for their desire to serve.
Keep in mind that many HS seniors may think they know what they want and then suddenly they spend 4 months at sea and realize they have choices. My DA was also accepted into multiple academiles; chose KP and now thinks he wants to sail. His mind changes daily. All SA's offer great educations and opportunities..one is NOT better than the other (except on game day) and all students should be applauded for their desire to serve.
re: "You wouldn't receive a commission at graduation because you would have to go through the Direct Commission Officer program, which will be 5 weeks long for you if you go to KP (adds more time to that "2 week boot camp" y'all go through )"