General Questions

dadencale

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2020
Messages
102
Hi everyone! I have been researching academies and I think I have decided on the USCGA as my number one choice! I was just wondering, what does life look like after graduation? Am I sent to more schooling dependent on my selected rate or am I sent out to the Coast Guard directly!

General Stats:
GPA: 4.3W/3.75UW
Rank: Top 15% of 400ish kids
ACT: Haven't had a chance to take it this year but I am anticipating a 31+ Hopefully
I was also selected to attend Boys State


School Activities
Club/Activity/SportApproximate hoursGrades of participationDescribe your role or responsibility-Offices held
Varsity Soccer109 and 12I have played for my previous highschool and am on the team to play for [Redacted]
Club Soccer69I was a member of a division one soccer club from Germany. I was a starter and the captain. I earned multiple awards for my performance.
Band159-12I am one of three Band Captains. I help instruct 230 students during band. My responsibilities include but are not limited to: Teaching visual blocks, Writing music, Teaching music, and Organizing events for the high brass section (40 people)
Jazz Ensemble5+ (varies)9-12I am apart of the jazz band here at [Redacted]. With my leadership role in the music program, a lot of my responsibilities carry over to jazz as well. We have competed locally as well as nationally. I have earned straight superiors in every adjudication I have attended
Independent Piano (I have played for 10 years)89-12I have played piano for close to ten years. I have played in many settings including but not limited to: Church, Retirement Homes and Hospitals.
Indoor Percussion159-12I have served in many leadership positions in my time with Indoor Percussion. I have been: The sound technician, the bassline section leader and I am currently one of the only returning veterans on the cymbal line (will lead)
Jazz Education Network512I am the founder of the Jazz Education Network chapter here at [Redacted]. I created this club to help give younger students exposure to jazz. I schedule events, teach, and arrange clinics. The club has secured a partnership with the Pensacola Jazz society in its first year of existence. I was elected president of this club by students in band
Tri-M Music Honor Society210-12I am a member of the music honor society. As a member, I participate in the monthly service requirements in the community.
National Honor Society and Beta211-12I am a member of both the National Honor society as well as Beta Club. As a member, I participate in the monthly service requirements in the community
Musical Orchestra1010I was the principal player in a pit orchestra for a musical. My responsibilities included: Teaching music to my section and participating in show weekends with the crew.

Employment


JobDates EmployedHours per weekJob Description
Barista at ‘Dunkin Donuts04/12/2019 - 06/14/201925I made specialty drinks for customers, cleaned the store, ran the front counter (made drinks and ran the register at the same time) and handled customer service interactions
Crewmember at Smoothie King06/08/2020-Present22I prepare fruits/juices, create specialty drinks, I clean both the front and the back of the store (...a lot) and handle customer service interactions

Awards/Honors
Award/HonorYear ReceivedDescribe the award
North Carolina All-State Eligibility2019I was selected as fifth out of 128 students on my instrument to participate in the All-State audition Process.
Rookie of the year, Indoor Drumline2018 and 2019Was honored as an outstanding member in drumline due to my position and work ethic.
Outstanding Instrumentalist2019Was honored in my music program for being an “Outstanding Brass Instrumentalist” voted on by members of the program
Academic Distinction (Old High School)2018 and 2019Was given recognition for finishing the academic year with a 4.0 or higher GPA
Solo and Ensemble2020I earned a superior rating for my performance and solo in the music program. I was judged by clinicians from the area
 
This doesn’t answer any of your questions, but your music resume looks impressive. I would reach out to the person who is in charge of cadet band or similar to see if you can be a recruited musician. It will make your application stand out among those who have similar stats.
 
There is a possibility that you may be sent on for more education but I would prepare to be an officer somewhere.
 
A small distinction. You are not “sent out to the Coast Guard” at graduation. You are in the Coast Guard from the day you report in and take your induction path. Active duty status as a serving adult.
Good luck!
 
I would reach out to the person who is in charge of cadet band or similar to see if you can be a recruited musician.
^THIS! The band director at USAFA did not have a voice in the admissions process, BUT USCGA does and I was very surprised to learn about that during an in-person visit.
 
The statistics for the class of 2024 include 16 "rated performing artists". My cadet is one of them. Had the opportunity to meet the band director and attend a rehearsal during the "cadet for a day" program (looks like those are virtual this year). They even have a swab band during swab summer. As far as your other questions, a lot of that information can be found on the CGA website. There is a careers link and links to cadet blogs so you can get an idea of what goes on each year.
 
^THIS! The band director at USAFA did not have a voice in the admissions process, BUT USCGA does and I was very surprised to learn about that during an in-person visit.
They have a voice but little influence. My DS was a priority football recruit for USCGA. The coaches were all very clear that they would support his application but have very little influence on selection. But the OP should absolutely pursue this avenue, even the slightest advantage should be grasped!
 
[QUOTE="sanman, post: 758815, member: But the OP should absolutely pursue this avenue, even the slightest advantage should be grasped!
[/QUOTE]
Can’t agree more. If your application is already strong, go for early action. If something listed as optional, do it. Show your interest in CGA. If there is a local or virtual info session - sign up for it. My cadet talked to several active duty and retired CG folks about what they did in their careers. Find out who your admissions partner is - they can help you with any specific questions if you can’t find the answers on the website, and they are the ones that do your interview if you have one (not everyone does).
 
The Coast Guard is typically on the job training for junior officers. Outside of flight school you'll have different training and qualifications at your unit. Eventually there will be schools. I went to a public affairs school and a crypto school on my first assignment (on a cutter). Later there will be opportunities to go to graduate school too.

Some services will require additional schools (when you leave West Point, I'd guess many have to go to schools for their branches (specialties).
 
How many hours of community service should I strive for from now until the last day the ROTC application is open?I have 36 hours of community service.
 
This doesn’t answer any of your questions, but your music resume looks impressive. I would reach out to the person who is in charge of cadet band or similar to see if you can be a recruited musician. It will make your application stand out among those who have similar stats.


Hello! Sorry for such a late reply! How would I go about contacting that person?
 
I would check out USCGA website to see a directory of staff. That will most likely lead you in the right direction.
 
My DS Graduated in May 2019 and went right to Flight School. Only 20 went right to flight school out of the academy, but I know one of his friends that was on the short list and didn't get selected, is at Flight school already. His best friend that didn't apply for flight school at the academy has since applied, and is waiting for an answer. From what I hear, in the CG, if you want to fly and you're qualified...you will.
Since Flight school is at NAS Pensacola, he reports to the Navy. He says he's happy he didn't go to the USNA. He said the only good thing about the Navy is they have a golf course on the base, and the exchange and commissary are better. Everything else sucks.
I have 2 other children in the CG, and a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. One is already short-timing it, the other 3 will stay for 20. My daughter is pregnant again, so she's getting out. Good luck.
 
He says he's happy he didn't go to the USNA. He said the only good thing about the Navy is they have a golf course on the base, and the exchange and commissary are better. Everything else sucks.


Can you expand upon these statements please?
 
Can you expand upon these statements please?
I didn't post these statements, so I'm not specifically expanding upon them, but it's a pretty commonly well talked about thing that CGA grads who go to flight school get fed up with the way Navy command treats them as opposed to what we are used to with Coast Guard Commands we have seen. Obviously can't speak to this personally, but it's a conversation I've had more than once.
 
I didn't post these statements, so I'm not specifically expanding upon them, but it's a pretty commonly well talked about thing that CGA grads who go to flight school get fed up with the way Navy command treats them as opposed to what we are used to with Coast Guard Commands we have seen. Obviously can't speak to this personally, but it's a conversation I've had more than once.

Well, how the USNA staff at flight school treat the USCG flight school attendees is not the same as stating "He says he's happy he didn't go to the USNA. He said the only good thing about the Navy is they have a golf course on the base, and the exchange and commissary are better. Everything else sucks."

The latter statement is far more broad and condemning than yours.

TheRightStuff, you'll need to talk to someone who's been there to juxtaposition the two.

OK, but coming on the forum and stating that your DS said he was "happy he didn't go to the USNA" because only the "golf course, exchange and commissary are better" at a particular facility and "everything else sucks" (about the Navy in general?) with nothing more to back that up is of very little value.
 
Well, how the USNA staff at flight school treat the USCG flight school attendees is not the same as stating "He says he's happy he didn't go to the USNA. He said the only good thing about the Navy is they have a golf course on the base, and the exchange and commissary are better. Everything else sucks."

The latter statement is far more broad and condemning than yours.


Perhaps, but it certainly offers some insight. You might read between the lines - the Navy treats their people, even their officers, with less respect and responsibility than the Coast Guard. Obviously, that's a very subjective statement, but that is the sentiment of these conversations. So I don't want to put words in people's mouths, but I would venture to guess the reason he's "happy he didn't go to USNA" could equally be stated "I'm happy I'm not in the Navy."
 
OK, but coming on the forum and stating that your DS said he was "happy he didn't go to the USNA" because only the "golf course, exchange and commissary are better" at a particular facility and "everything else sucks" (about the Navy in general?) with nothing more to back that up is of very little value.

TheRightstuff....first of all, let me start with I was a Navy Brat, born in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. My Dad Served during Korea and Vietnam. I have fond memories of growing up on Navy bases in the 60's and 70's. When ekb said " the Navy treats their people, even their officers, with less respect and responsibility than the Coast Guard " he hit the nail right on the head. This is exactly what the DS told me. When you go to the CGA, chances are you know almost everyone there when you are there, or there is 1 degree of separation. If you go to the USNA, there are people in your class you may have never met, and people you know you may never see again. When you go out in Fleet in the CG, you're going to know people, and they're going to know you, your friends, maybe even your family. You can spend 4 years in Clearwater, then go to Homer Alaska, and I guarantee you'll they'll know who you are when you show up. So you spend years being taught Coast Guard tradition, and suddenly you have Marine/Navy Command....and you're like "WTF?"
 
I figured it was a culture clash. Not wrong, just different.

Going from a small, tightly knit family to a huge family where there is a less familiarity among family members and a more DIY approach can be unsettling. It’s like being a middle kid adopted into a very large pack of siblings, many of whom didn’t come from the same family home, but a wide variety of homes, USNA/NROTC/OCS, compared to the narrower USCG officer accessions funnel. No doubt it is a very disconcerting feeling to experience the shift in scale.
Again, not wrong, just different.
 
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