View of USCGA by other Academies/Branches

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MD2021

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Sep 13, 2020
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How is the Coast Guard viewed by other branches. Since it is significantly smaller is there any lack of respect? I would venture to say “no” but thought I would ask.

Also does a degree from USCGA carry the same weight and prestige as the other academies?

Our son will be applying for the 2021 class and I am very impressed from what I have learned so far. I am a dad who never served but have always had envy and great respect for those who have. Thank you for any feedback.
 
Inside the “family,” we all kid each other about Service stereotypes, uniforms, culture, etc. The Coast Guard is worthy of the same respect and regard, both as a Service and its people, as any other. As a Navy squid, I deeply respect and appreciate my sea service brothers and sisters. Their size in comparison to other services allows them to have particularly close bonds.

Prestige, no problem there. If the Coast Guard calls to your DS, that is a fine and salty path.
 
DD USMMA. I have a great interest, as a hobby, in our educational (often dyseducational) system K through post graduate. I have friends who have graduated from all the Academies and have met many representing the Academies at MOC gatherings. They all have the greatest respect for all the others. Each know what the others do and respect their importance. The graduate schools, and I don't mean XYZ State College for Dummies, also greatly respect the value of an Academy degree. The USCG has a large percentage of officers with impressive graduate degrees. If DD decides to five and dive, the HR people from around the world, knowing the quality of the education and the experience gained fulfilling the obligation, will be knocking at his door. Prestige is not a problem.
 
First good thing I heard about the Coast Guard Academy was from two USNA midshipmen visiting my high school. First good think I heard about the Coast Guard was from an Army officer at Tennessee Boys State.

Agree with the "closeness" comment. The entire Coast Guard Academy is smaller than a single class at the big three service academies. So the 200 people in your class will remain close. I had a classmate in a tragic plan crash recently while on leave. Our entire class rallied. The Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, Coast Guard Foundation, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance helped so much, and so quickly. We beat our goal twice. https://www.cgaalumni.org/s/1043/gi...lE_5vS2Xo3YdkwHJbbGzPXDFkHwHI77-JEDihsrm0rDII

The other thing to consider is the Coast Guard as whole is much smaller, smaller than the Navy's officer corps, smaller than the soldiers stationed at Ft. Hood. So you'll also know many people in the Coast Guard, and you'll see them over and over again. Relative to the total officer numbers, West Point, Annapolis, and AFA contribute a small number of officers (remember the Coast Guard doesn't have ROTC, so there are few commissioning sources). The Coast Guard Academy on the other hand supplies 45% of the officer corp to the Coast Guard, and OCS is colocated with the academy (there's a split on if that was a great move, but I think it's been the case since the late 1990s).

In general, Coast Guard officers get over "measuring". They're typically be the lowest rank in any joint event, they know they're a small service, and I think they're pretty secure in their identity. You'll get over ignorant statements and embarrassing situations... it's just part of the experience.
 
So many positives I continue to hear. Need to learn some of the acronyms, but I'll catch on. Thanks for the feedback.
 
MD2021 said:
So many positives I continue to hear. Need to learn some of the acronyms, but I'll catch on. Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...
Have fun with The Acronym List on the home page menu.
 
When my DS was a 4th Class a West Point cadet on exchange for the fall semester told him that CGA cadets had it much tougher than WP cadets (full disclosure, I don't know if he meant all years or Swab/4th Class). When he was a 2nd Class we were out for Parent's weekend. I got chance to talk to a USNA Mid and AFA cadet. Mid said at USNA it is so big you can slide under the radar. You can't do that here. Everyone knows who you are, what you're doing and where you're supposed to be. It's like a family. The AFA cadet said "What she said".
 
In my own opinion, it’s where your DD/DS see your fit. Each SA have different missions not the size nor what other think.
The Genesis admission event was a great opportunity to learn more about u
USCGA, that’s been a turning point to my DD choosing USCGA over the other SA. I can’t be happier! My DD love it there- most esp. the people. 1st time military fam able to learn quickly & adapt with help & support of the Parents Association & amazing volunteers.
 
For STEM, I don't think anyone cares where your undergraduate degree comes from......I know "they" will look at where you did your post graduate work at. Everyone get's an on-line MBA now, but you don't learn Leadership or Communication skills from a text book.
 
LurkingQuietly said:
For STEM, I don't think anyone cares where your undergraduate degree comes from......I know "they" will look at where you did your post graduate work at. Everyone get's an on-line MBA now, but you don't learn Leadership or Communication skills from a text book.
Click to expand...

I've found (as a non lawyer) that they don't seem to teach leadership or communication in law school either.

I should add, the CGA is small, and being so small, has a small but tight alumni network. My first week at my job I had lunch and met with two CGA grads who were from the 1970s and 1980s. So, there is some benefit to that. Other academies have larger networks, but not always as tight.
 
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