USCGA or another route?

mkalaf123

New Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
1
I have read a lot of the forums on here, and I notice how passionate people are about their responses; I must have came to the right place.

I am currently rising junior in Binghamton University's School of Management studying accounting, where I have held a 3.7GPA, and recorded stellar performances in my math and science classes. Not many business majors take math and science classes voluntarily, but I did in the chance I wanted to apply to the Coast Guard Academy. (Disclaimer: if I ever got the chance to go to the USCGA, yes I know it is a complete restart from year 1, and none of my credits/ gpa will transfer, among other stipulations)

When I saw the Coast Guard conduct their operations as a child, I always knew I wanted to do that. I can now say I am ready to start that journey. I am considering all options and programs, whether it is the academy, enlisting now and eventually going to OCS, CSPI, etc. I would even consider reserves along with active duty.

He are my questions and I hope I get non-biased answers. If I wanted to move onto a Business/Administration whenever I have fulfilled my role and am ready to leave, does the Coast Guard have any MOS that can supplement my future? What MOS handles port, waterway, and coastal security, drug interdiction, and migrant interdiction? What is the most popular MOS? Does anyone have a recommendation for a fulfilling MOS from experience? How does being in the Coast Guard set you apart from other military branches? How will being apart of the Coast Guard support my career opportunities now and in the future? Lastly, is the Coast Guard the branch to choose to set myself apart from others, and supplement my future in the best way possible?

I appreciate you all reading this and taking the time to answer.
 
Hey there, I'm not sure I am the best person to answer your questions but I see nobody else has so I'll give it a shot. The Coast Guard doesn't work on the MOS System; instead, we have ratings (enlisted) and specialties (you may hear them called a number of things, but they are relatively broad categories that officers work in). For Business/Administration, your best bet would probably be to come to the Academy and study Management. Going through a business school and then coming through OCS could also set you up nicely. Realistically, any major could get an MBA and it's not incredibly uncommon for the Coast Guard to pay for that as I understand it, or at the very least you could use military wide tuition benefits to do so. On the enlisted side, I'm more shooting from the hip as I'm not enlisted but I would say Storekeeper might be the best for that? But one thing to keep in mind is that military members are well looked upon no matter what, especially officers and more senior enlisted, for their ability to manage and lead regardless of job. PWCS and LE are going to be handled largely by BM's and ME's on the enlisted side - boarding teams on cutters. You will often find a Junior Officer on a boarding team as well. Popular? That's a loaded question. It really depends on how you define popular. There are long waits for certain schools, such as ME, there are some rates that are quintessential Coast Guard (such as AST), and there are some that are just very common, such as BM or MK. Nobody can really recommend to you what you find fulfilling. Many people find YN to be fulfilling because it has a great work life balance. I personally know two people (one BM3, one ME3) who lateraled to become YN's because they wanted that work life balance. You stand very little duty, for the most part you work a 9 to 5, and there aren't as many underway billets, but you aren't a part of the action all that often. On the other side, BMs for example are constantly in the action, driving boats, etc. but they work really hard, stand lots of duty, might be at sea for incredibly long periods of time. I would highly recommend going on the USCG recruiting website and exploring some rates to narrow down what you might be interested in then coming back with some more specific questions. I'm not sure that the Coast Guard will specifically set you apart on paper any more than any other branch if I'm being completely honest. In terms of being set apart, I don't think the branch matters, I think what you do in it matters more. The Coast Guard can definitely support your career opportunities though. There are many of them in the Coast Guard that can be fast paced and interesting, regardless of rate, specialty, and whether you choose to be an officer or enlist. There are benefits for you to further your education as well, which is always good to help set you up for a career inside or outside of the military. Whether the Coast Guard is the branch for you or not, again, nobody can answer. I think the Coast Guard is a great choice for a lot of people, but it's definitely possible that a different branch is better for you. Spend some time getting familiar with the cultures of the different branches, check out the different jobs for all of them, talk to as many recruiters as you want, and see what speaks to you. More likely than not, you'll know for yourself which is best, Nobody here can tell you which is the best. Feel free to reply with any further questions you might have.
 
Hello from a Binghamton Grad! And I live in Owego, so I'm pretty local. And I'm an Admissions Partner, and involved with the CG Auxiliary. And both my sons are Active Duty, one enlisted and one a USCGA grad. So I can answer at least some of your questions. I will PM you contact information. However, Ekb has answered most of your questions, and given you things to think about. I know one 2018 grad who started with a BS from the University of Buffalo and did very well.
Graduate degrees can be paid for by the CG. I believe the obligation is one additional year for each semester.
PWCS generally is driven from Sector or District. These are not underway billets.
Most common (popular?) ratings (MOS in other branches) are BM and MK, as they are the most needed. Advancing up the YN or SK rating would most closely align with a business degree. Neither of those spend a lot of time underway.
The CG is the red headed stepchild of the other branches. Getting funding has always been a challenge. The general public does have a quite different understanding, attitude and/or appreciation for the Coast Guard compared to the more well known branches. A lot of people don't even know the CG is military. It depend on where you are. Binghamton and the Southern Tier NY/Northern Tier PA really doesn't have much exposure to the CG, compared to say anywhere in Alaska or Florida, for instance.
The CG can set you apart from other branches due to its variety of missions. Be aware that those missions are not well known to the general public, so if you're looking for a job you might have to explain how the USCGA is related to other, "bigger", military academies.
And as you look into this, also be aware that to gain admission, you will need to explain what you can bring to the USCG, not just what the USCG can do for you. Whether you apply to USCGA, OCS or enlist, someone will want to know that. It can bring you some amazing experiences, and the opportunity to really help people in dire need of your help.
I am PMing contact info.

Good luck in whatever path you follow.
 
Back
Top