USNA to the Coast Guard

[bossf51]

I was watching the graduation ceremony on CSPAN and noted that one of the graduates is entering the Coast Guard. Another is branching to the USAF. Nice.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Nice. There was a girl in USNA class of 2004 who did the same thing. She went to DCO school for a few weeks to learn about the Coast Guard and she was good to go. What made her want to do that? She was an exchange cadet (midshipman).

 

[Tommygun]

How does this commissioning work? Why would the Navy or other branch want someone to commission in another branch of service? Thanks for the info.
Tommygun

 

[downhiller2010]

How does this commissioning work? Why would the Navy or other branch want someone to commission in another branch of service? Thanks for the info.
Tommygun

It's called cross commissioning and its extremely hard to do. Someone very high up has to approve it which is why you don't see this happen very often.

 

[bossf51]

I found out that the officer in question was an exchange student at the CGA as well. My son knows him and he is a great kid. He loved being at the CGA and decided to join the Coast Guard.

 

[mdsu]

do you have to be top of your class to do a cross commision? if you get denied your request could you try again once out in the fleet?

 

[LineInTheSand]

We have "direct commissions" all the time from other services. Many of these DCOs (Direct Commission Officers) are in the aviation program (thus renaming them DCAs, or Direct Commission Aviators, not to be confused with Damage Control Assistants).

So yes, it is possible. I am not aware of how high someone who have to be, as CGA doesn't cross commission cadets.

 

[Capt MJ]

SA x-commissioning

How does this commissioning work? Why would the Navy or other branch want someone to commission in another branch of service? Thanks for the info.
Tommygun

It's a rare thing, but each year, there might be a handful at each SA going into another service. The "needs of the Navy" and the "needs of the Coast Guard" must coincide, as they undoubtedly did in the case of the USNA '09 midshipman who became a USCG ensign. That means USNA more than met its goal of producing the required number of Navy and Marine officers, and the Coast Guard had room in their officer numbers for the 2009 commissioning year from all sources. The midshipman or cadet must demonstrate high motivation and knowledge of the desired service and have a solid performance record in all elements.