Cutter Assignments

[PapiBear]

DD with LOA and conditional appointment awaiting DoDMERB results wants to better understand what life being assigned to a cutter would be like as an MES Major and Junior officer. Eg - If it’s a 2-yr assignment, how much time should she expect to be underway at sea or in port and doing what types of jobs.

Any resources for informing or sharing of experience/insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Most grads go to a cutter, and it's not entirely major dependent. She's most likely be a deck watch officer (or an engineer if she doesn't like sunlight). That first assignment is generally two years and the amount of sea time is dependent on the size of the cutter. A bigger cutter goes out longer, but also stays in longer. I was on a 210' and we were out many 2/3 of the time, BUT we were also going into a major overhaul, so the schedule was different. It's probably safer to assume it would be about 50/50 out and in. Even when you're out you pull in for supplies. On my cutter we'd be out for a week or two then hit a port for 2-3 days, resupply, and then head back out.