why did you choose coast guard?

My younger son wandered off on the day we arrived at the beach for a week's vacation....Uncle was watching the little ones....when we realized our precious 5 year old was missing, I sure appreciated having the Coast Guard's attention! They were in the water and overhead with a helicopter five minutes after the 911 call. Those Coast Guard guys are my heroes! (And little darling was found 200 yards down the beach from our cottage sitting on the sand, crying.)

I love seeing the USCG fly overhead when we are at the beach! But they used to wave at me and fly a little lower about 20(or so) years ago...:confused:
 
And little darling was found 200 yards down the beach from our cottage sitting on the sand, crying.

Bet he never wandered off again! :shake:

But they used to wave at me and fly a little lower about 20(or so) years ago...:confused:

Today's breed of youngsters doesn't appreciate vintage grace and beauty. :biggrin:



ETA: To throw my two cents into the point of this thread, I always considered that the USCG actually DOES ITS JOB more often (i.e. - DAILY) and in a much more blatant manner than any of the other services. Of course, the others stand guard daily, and over the past several years have been in the thick of it, but when, for example, was the last time the Navy actually had to prepare for a regimental Backfire raid or sail to meet the Red Banner Northern Fleet as it sortied from Murmansk?

Ships on our waters constantly need searching and guidance. Boaters and bathers need rescuing. It happens all the time.

So, on balance, if you want to be doing YOUR THING on a pretty regular basis, the USCG isn't really a bad choice.

Me? I was more of the kill-people-and-break-things kinda guy mixed with too many WWII Navy movies, so I went USNA. It takes all kinds to make a world and defend a nation. :thumb:
 
I love seeing the USCG fly overhead when we are at the beach! But they used to wave at me and fly a little lower about 20(or so) years ago...

LOL LOL LOL LOL

I am not sure there is an actual age limit there Ant because older son flies over house boats on a local lake to "check things out" so I'd still duck & cover if I were you. Ya just gotta hate it sometimes when the skies have eyes. :biggrin:

Luigi59, it is kids just like your son that help me sleep soundly at night. Also 69 has a son who helps me do the same. Ya'll may "see"things differently sometimes but I am proud to know you both. Take it up in a pm should you find you cannot overcome these difficulties. Please. I beg you. We're all on the same team here. USA
 
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Well, for what it's worth here's my couple of cents. I haven't actually accepted my USCGA appointment yet but I plan on doing that here within the next few days. Part of the reason for this, as has previously been stated, is that the Coast Guard is constantly doing it's mission. For example (this took me FOREVER to find so someone better like this):

Today, the Coast Guard will:
Save 15 lives
Assist 114 people in distress
Protect $4.9 million in property
Interdict 26 illegal migrants at sea
Inspect 23 waterfront facilities
Conduct 82 search and rescue cases
Seize $2.4 million worth of illegal drugs
Respond to 11 oil/hazardous chemical spills


[http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/comrel/factfile/index.htm]

To think that a service with around 40,000 people (on par with the New York City Police Department, as I believe someone else previously mentioned) can do that _every day_ is impressive to say the least.
 
Boy do I agree with you. This thread got started because a high school kid posted a legitimate question about why someone would choose to join the smallest service. The USCG has its own challenges and rewards - they mostly stay out of the public eye and the young lady deserved to have a response that shed some light on all of their missions, their opportunities, life style and their drawbacks as well. Luigi's son's response was an interesting one that could have shed a lot of light on VMINROTC's original question. Apparently though an honest and thoughtful answer is too deep for many posting on this site. Too bad this was completely hijacked.
Every one of the services has a unique mission and the Coast Guard's is an old one that they perform outstandingly- in peace and war. Maritime Safety, Law Enforcement, Environmental Protection, Border Security and Military Readiness- what a great mix of missions. Since many of the posters seem only to focus on the military portion they might consider that the USCG is in the Gulf today, and in Vietnam they were there as well ( "Market Time" and CG Squadrons One and Three). But just like now, their other missions don't decrease or lose any focus or urgency when they send forces into a war zone- storms still hit mariners at sea, liberian merchant vessels still sail with hatchways held together with epoxy, illegals still keep coming at sea and laws still need to be enforced onthe high seas and they are there night and day. We all are beneficiaries of this multimission service.
 
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Okay.....

As you can see, this thread has undergone some debate, review, and scrubbing.

Let's get back on-topic, POLITELY, and proceed. If it veers off course again, we're going to lock it.

Thanks.

- Z
 
Go with that small elite Sea service, the US Coast Guard, which shares a common bond with the US Marine Corps...
 
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