Coast Guard DCSS - How Does it Work?

NJROTC-CC

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I would like to find out more about this program. The Coast Guard web site says:

"College graduates who have been exposed to military training through collegiate-level Armed Services Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, equivalent regimented programs at select colleges (enumerated below) or other Federal military academies, while earning an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to the Coast Guard’s DCSS program. DCSS seeks to offer direct commissions to high performing individuals who have already proven their leadership ability and desire to serve others through rigorous programs."

They are looking for ROTC training, but how does one go through a NROTC program, for example, and commission into the Coast Guard?? I thought to complete NROTC you would be a 4 year scholarship or a college programmer selected for advanced standing. In either case wouldn't you be committed to the Navy? How could you then apply to Coast Guard DCSS? (And I don't mean after active duty in the Navy, I mean before)
 
I would like to find out more about this program. The Coast Guard web site says:

"College graduates who have been exposed to military training through collegiate-level Armed Services Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, equivalent regimented programs at select colleges (enumerated below) or other Federal military academies, while earning an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to the Coast Guard’s DCSS program. DCSS seeks to offer direct commissions to high performing individuals who have already proven their leadership ability and desire to serve others through rigorous programs."

They are looking for ROTC training, but how does one go through a NROTC program, for example, and commission into the Coast Guard?? I thought to complete NROTC you would be a 4 year scholarship or a college programmer selected for advanced standing. In either case wouldn't you be committed to the Navy? How could you then apply to Coast Guard DCSS? (And I don't mean after active duty in the Navy, I mean before)

Keep reading the "DCSS eligibility requirements." https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...irect-commission-selected-school-dcss-program

The Coast Guard DCSS program can only be participated in at select schools. Most of them are at SMCs (Senior Military Colleges), in which a student must participate in the Corps of Cadets. Along with that, two years of ROTC must have been successfully completed. This is easy at SMCs, because in order for one to participate and graduate as a member of the Corps of Cadets, a cadet must have two years of ROTC. Doesn't have to be a specific branch. There are many cadets here at my university that have jumped from taking NROTC to AFROTC to AROTC classes. This is normally because usually the first year of ROTC classes (doesn't matter which branch) are pretty easy. There are quite a few students here that have been selected for this program, as well as some at VMI.

Concerning your question about going through an ROTC program or a service academy and commissioning into that specific branch, there is such thing as "cross-commissioning." For example, the CO of my unit graduated from the Air Force Academy, but commissioned as a Marine Corps Infantry officer. This is a much rarer occurrence, as one branch has to be willing to lose and another branch willing to gain.
 
Just a side note, almost ALL Direct Commission Programs are geared to "speciality fields" ie: cyber, engineering, law, medicine, intel, etc. There are instances of direct commission "line type officers' but they are rare. So if the desire is to be "operational" in the field insure do your due diligence and make sure that the program offers that option and you meet those requirements. Read thru the particulars and talk to someone. The SMC's mentioned above are not the only schools, check education para 2, says 2 years of successful ROTC will be considered on a case by case basis.
https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...irect-commission-selected-school-dcss-program

Direct Commission Programs are fantastic programs and offer fast integration into the military, but IMHO OCS is a better route with more options for career fields.
 
Just saw this post and thought I could add to this. My daughter is a senior at Norwich and is going the DCSS route. In high school she did not have the grades or scores for a service academy. so she went to MMI. Best decision ever. MMI taught her how to study and she did well in leadership roles. (MMI is a USCGA prep school)

It is my understanding that each of the SMCs are offered a certain amount of slots each year for applicants. Her CG recruiter says he has been very successful with his Norwich DCSS students. In the class of 2020 I believe she said three cadets applied to go DCSS. Even the outgoing President of Norwich (who is retired Coast Guard) wrote my daughter a letter of recommendation. About her stats: she's a Criminal Justice Major, Cum Laude, Swim Team, SCUBA, EMT, completed 4 years of Army ROTC. She did not attend Advanced Camp, (she was exempt from Basic) and was not on an Army ROTC scholarship. Hoping to hear back from DCSS by end of month, if the situation is not delayed by the shutdown.
 
Just saw this post and thought I could add to this. My daughter is a senior at Norwich and is going the DCSS route. In high school she did not have the grades or scores for a service academy. so she went to MMI. Best decision ever. MMI taught her how to study and she did well in leadership roles. (MMI is a USCGA prep school)

It is my understanding that each of the SMCs are offered a certain amount of slots each year for applicants. Her CG recruiter says he has been very successful with his Norwich DCSS students. In the class of 2020 I believe she said three cadets applied to go DCSS. Even the outgoing President of Norwich (who is retired Coast Guard) wrote my daughter a letter of recommendation. About her stats: she's a Criminal Justice Major, Cum Laude, Swim Team, SCUBA, EMT, completed 4 years of Army ROTC. She did not attend Advanced Camp, (she was exempt from Basic) and was not on an Army ROTC scholarship. Hoping to hear back from DCSS by end of month, if the situation is not delayed by the shutdown.
I realize this is an old post, but curious how it worked out for your daughter with DCSS and commissioning into the CG. My daughter is applying to CGA, USMMA, Norwich and VMI (because of the DCSS option). She’s also a swimmer and being recruited at all 4 schools.

There seems to be a shroud of mystery around DCSS. Feels like it anyway. Even after visiting Norwich and talking to many people she hasn’t gotten a super clear answer on the DCSS route and how it works.
 
Unfortunately it did not work out as she had hoped. Not sure if Covid or diversion of funds or priorities, but no one from her group that year was selected.
 
Sorry about your daughter. I don't think you can count on "Guaranteed slots" from any of the schools. The CG is so small that most of their "line" types come from the Academy or OCS. DCSS is a "Line" program, and not many annual slots come up each year. Plus they would need a solid background in afloat engineering or navigation and seamanship, not sure that AROTC or AFROTC offer that pathway since DCSS school is only five weeks.
 
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