I am applying to USAFA but today I started doing some research on the Coast Guard and I have a few questions/comments..
I am not sure what I exactly I want to do in the military but I have narrowed my interests down to a few things.
-Intelligence Officer
-Pilot (specifically helicopters)
After one of my instructors told me about the high retention rates in the CG I figured it warranted a look. And the more I read about it and the academy, the more interested I became. So with that in mind:
1. It looks like you can't be an Intelligence Officer right out of graduation but after the first tour how competitive is it.. IOW would I have a good chance of transitioning to that field if I work hard, have good scores, etc. Does anyone know how the numbers play out on that one?
2. I read on the website that about 1/10 go into aviation out of the CGA. Does anyone know how many people apply for aviation? How competitive is it to get a slot? Does anyone know the breakdown of rotary wing to fixed wing pilots?
3. Is it possible to try to branch aviation and after training and a tour or two, eventually end up as an Intelligence Officer? IOWs, would it be possible to do both at some point in my career? I read somewhere that there are a lot more possibilities for doing different career tracks than in the other branches, how valid is that?
4. Is what my instructor says about retention true? In your opinion what makes the CG so appealing/attractive to stay in
5. Do you think I have a better chance of being either an intel officer or helicopter pilot at CGA compared to USAFA?
Thank you
I am not sure what I exactly I want to do in the military but I have narrowed my interests down to a few things.
-Intelligence Officer
-Pilot (specifically helicopters)
After one of my instructors told me about the high retention rates in the CG I figured it warranted a look. And the more I read about it and the academy, the more interested I became. So with that in mind:
1. It looks like you can't be an Intelligence Officer right out of graduation but after the first tour how competitive is it.. IOW would I have a good chance of transitioning to that field if I work hard, have good scores, etc. Does anyone know how the numbers play out on that one?
2. I read on the website that about 1/10 go into aviation out of the CGA. Does anyone know how many people apply for aviation? How competitive is it to get a slot? Does anyone know the breakdown of rotary wing to fixed wing pilots?
3. Is it possible to try to branch aviation and after training and a tour or two, eventually end up as an Intelligence Officer? IOWs, would it be possible to do both at some point in my career? I read somewhere that there are a lot more possibilities for doing different career tracks than in the other branches, how valid is that?
4. Is what my instructor says about retention true? In your opinion what makes the CG so appealing/attractive to stay in
5. Do you think I have a better chance of being either an intel officer or helicopter pilot at CGA compared to USAFA?
Thank you