United States Coast Guard Forums and Information USCG General Questions

SPAM friend requests?

CarolinaCoastie — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 03:02:06 GMT

Is anyone else getting a ton of random friend requests asking for confirmation. I of course delete them but should this be expected being part of this forum?

Operations Security (OPSEC)

chukles — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:11:07 GMT

The internet is a great place to share information about the things we do in the Coast Guard. Please be aware of what you are posting and keep in mind that it is likely that people are monitoring these posts to try to gather information about capability's, asset locations, movements, etc. Below is a good bit of advice when posting and pulled from an old internet releasable message.

3. THE PHRASE "LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS" IS JUST AS TRUE TODAY AS IT HAS BEEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY. HOWEVER, USE OF THE INTERNET HAS GIVEN THIS PHRASE NEW MEANING. IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO EAVESDROP ON A CONVERSATION. THE FACT THAT FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) AND OTHER SENSITIVE INFORMATION CONTINUES TO BE FOUND ON PUBLIC WEB SITES AND IN INTERNET E-MAIL INDICATES THAT INFORMATION IS NOT BEING REVIEWED FOR SENSITIVITY AND IS NOT BEING PROPERLY PROTECTED. ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESSED TO OTHER THAN A USCG.MIL ADDRESS DOES NOT MEET THE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION PER REF (B) AND SHALL BE SENT BY A MORE SECURE MEANS SUCH AS SECURE TELEPHONE, RECORD MESSAGE OR BY SIPRNET E-MAIL.

4. THE COAST GUARD DATA NETWORK PLUS (CGDNPLUS) IS APPROVED FOR UNCLASSIFIED, SENSITIVE INFORMATION AS IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A PRIVATE NETWORK WITH PROTECTION FROM OUTSIDE ACCESS. THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE CONTAINED IN E-MAIL SENT TO A NON USCG.MIL MAIL ADDRESS OR POSTED ON PUBLIC WEB PAGES:

A. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND USE OF FORCE POLICY,

B. DETAILS OF COURSES OF ACTIONS OR THOSE BEING CONSIDERED,

C. DETAILS OF SCHEDULES AND TIME LINES FOR OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES,

D. SPECULATION OR DISCUSSION OF TERRORIST EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND FORCE PROTECTION POSTURE,

E. LOCATION, ACTIVATION, AND MISSIONS OF CG FORCES OR ASSETS,

F. DEPLOYMENT PLANS FOR CG AND OTHER US FORCES INCLUDING PORT SECURITY UNITS,

G. PHYSICAL SECURITY WEAKNESSES OF CG OR OTHER FORCES,

H. MOVEMENT PLANS AND PROCEDURES FOR CG AND NAVAL UNITS,

I. USER ID'S, COMPUTER PASSWORDS AND NETWORK ADDRESSES,

J. EXISTENCE OR DETAILS OF INTRUSIONS INTO NETWORKS,

K. MOVEMENT OF FLAG OFFICERS, VIPS, KEY LEADERS AND KEY COMMAND PERSONNEL INCLUDING ITINERARIES, AGENDAS, HOTEL RESERVATIONS, ETC.,

L. INFORMATION ABOUT UNIT CAPABILITIES, COMPLEMENT AND MISSIONS,

M. MAPS OR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS OF SENSITIVE OPERATIONAL UNITS,

N. INFORMATION ABOUT PORT FACILITIES,

O. FAMILY MEMBER INFORMATION, PERSONAL BIOGRAPHIES, NAMES AND DUTY STATION ADDRESSES,

P. OMBUDSMAN HOME TELEPHONE NUMBERS,

Q. PERSONNEL ROSTERS OF DEPLOYABLE UNITS. THE SAME INFORMATION IS DISCOURAGED FOR NON-DEPLOYABLE UNITS.

R. ALL E-MAIL AND MESSAGES CONTAINING FOUO, SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PERSONNEL SENSITIVE, PRIVACY ACT DATA, SOURCE SENSITIVE AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION ARE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED TO BE SENT ON THE INTERNET.

Lets keep our people and assets safe!

Vr,

Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

2013 early separation

greatlaker — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:36:40 GMT

i have heard the coast guatd budget for 2013 is going to call for losing 3000 people. does anybody know if the early separation program will come back? and when will it be available if it does? if not is there any way to get out with an honorable before my contract is up?

New future recruit

johnpg — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:57:31 GMT

I will be a senior next year and i plan on joining the coast guard when i graduate. I just had one question about the process. I tried marijuana 2 times when i was 16 (am 18 now will be 19 when i graduate hs). i was wondering if this will be a big problem with the recruiter. I understand that marijuana is illegal and the coast guard has a zero tolerance policy but i made a mistake of trying it. i am a responsible kid, never been arrested only a few driving infractions. have held a job for 2 years. i present myself very well. i am just really worried that these 2 times of trying marijuana might have really affected my future with the coast guard. and i dont want to lie on the application because thats just wrong. any advice or answers would be awesome. thanks.

switching over to the Army?

ad12 — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:45:23 GMT

I've been in the CG now for 1.5yrs and my A school wait is going to put me near the end of my 4yr's and if I'd go to A school I would be in need of extending and for me I don't want to obligate anymore than what I signed up for. So here's the question If I got a contract with the army would I be able to lateral over?

Interest in IS

kingkong — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:17:03 GMT

I have a ship day of June 11th, possible graduation August 2nd, and a long list to look forward to with the 6 year/E3 pledge. After reading some posts, and doing some research, I have found little, if any, information to assist me in deciding if this is ultimately what I'll be doing. I can understand if much isn't shared due to security reasons but I was just interested in the life style, work, and environment. A recruiter once told me he worked with one briefly and that particular IS worked overnight which I have no problem with. I am also interested in possibly finding out where would be a good position to taste what IS' do and which will garner me with the knowledge and skills (although I know anywhere will be perfectly fine) to succeed at the A-school and in the rate.

Whats the hold up for you?

Skydevil — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:27:02 GMT

I've read a lot of threads talking about the wait times and was curious if the largest part of the wait to enlist is before MEPS or after. It seems like MEPS could be a big hold up for a lot of people.

I was in contact with a recruiter last Monday and he had me fill out the application and send paperwork. I'm Prior Service Army and passed MEPS/ASVAB in September of 2012 with another branch. The slots filled up for the other branch before my paperwork was complete though which extended the wait through this year. No big deal but I wanted to go CG in the first place. I told the recruiter I'm through MEPS and gave him a copy of my ASVAB and he said "then you're golden". So I'm just curious if others feel the process has moved faster after getting past MEPS.

Oops, didn't scroll down far enough on the main screen to see the Prior Service section. Can a moderator move this if you feel it needs to be moved please. Thanks!

High Year Tenure Question

KCROY09 — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:11:51 GMT

With the reactivation of the High Year Tenure process, how do you see this affecting advancement through out the Coast Guard? Also do you believe this will speed up the waits for A School lists?

Thank you!

Guaranteed District?

electricpisces — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:37:57 GMT

Hello everybody,

I received an AFQT score of an 82. I have been doing my research and found that with this score I have an opportunity for Guaranteed District. When I asked my recruiter

of this opportunity, he said that the Coast Guard has stopped allowing the opportunity due to filled positions. Is he correct because I do want to stay close to home in District

13 and do not want to end up placed directly across country.

Please help me verify my recruiter's idea of Guaranteed District.

Thank you

EYE SURGERY

mrniceguy123 — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:49:43 GMT

I plan on getting a PRK eye surgery done while im a civilian to become a rescue swimmer. Is PRK eye surgery okay for aircrew members? I know Lasik is a disqualifer because Lasik adds a flap while PRK is all natural.

Is AST school not accepting any more people on the A list? i checked out there a school list on google and I see the number on the list dropping.

How long should I expect a waiver to take to get approved?

b85enci — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:09:49 GMT

After waiting 2 years to get into the Coast Guard I will be turning 28 in two weeks.

My recruiter last week emailed me "just got word I can push you through Congrats thanks for waiting"

Two days later my recruiter emailed me saying that I need a Waiver because I will be turning 28 in two weeks and I need to be in Boot Camp before I am 28.

I emailed my recruiter back informing her about a email from a year ago when I was 26, asking if turning 27 would be a problem and my recruiter replied I was good tell I was 29.

My recruiter called me back and said sorry I forgot you had a Bachelor's Degree you are OK to go and am looking at a September Boot Camp date. I went into the recruiting office and sign papers for my credit and police record.

Couple days later she emailed me back saying that I actually need a Waiver and does not know how long the waiver will take.

Has this happen to anyone?

OCS and CO's endorsement

az12 — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:03:58 GMT

I had a sit down with my supervisor and is sum told me the command (enlisted, ex 1st classes) sees me as inadequate to go to OCS. My verbal skills are weak and I'd make decisions. I highly disagree with this and want to speak to them about this without taking it down a negative road and would their be someone outside of my command I could talk to in order to get a clear answer for OCS since every question I've asked doesn't get answer? Thanks!

asvab

jayjay295 — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:17:42 GMT

So im deciding on becoming a rescue swimmer (AST). i need to retake the auto shop part of the asvab. can i retake the part after boot camp while getting my quals so when its time i can put my name on the list of AST?

Update

guard45 — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:40:22 GMT

Hey everyone it has been 4 months since I've posted anything on this forum and I want to let everyone know what's going on with my situation. I failed the asvab twice with a score of 35. I am currently taking math classes at my local college for the next 8 months. Math 71,81,91,111. I have also joined the Auxiliary! With advice from people and looking on this forum I have discovered what the Auxiliary was and what it has to offer! So here is my problem. Will a recruiter look at me a year from now when I make a contact and think "No she failed the asvab twice we are not interested" ?? Am I wasting my time doing all of this with the chance of my recruiter saying no? My old recruiter is retiring so I won't go through him, also he wouldn't give me another chance and I don't blame him it's my fault! The auxiliary will look good on my résumé regardless so I am happy to be a part of such a great team. I am looking into the reserves btw not active. Any advice helps! Thank you all.

Where should a new BM go?

TheBigC1234 — Sun, 05 May 2013 02:49:49 GMT

I'm in A school now and was wondering what would be the best unit for a new BM3 to go to. I have heard many different opinions on this subject. Do bigger cutters (210-NSC) allow BM3's to make coxswain/do LE often? Does location matter that much or is it mainly just preference?

Making rank as a non-rate?

rjorge — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:49:15 GMT

I am leaving for bootcamp in July. I want to put my name on the IT A-school but it is 36+ months long. I'm nervous about being a non-rate for that long. Is it possible to move up to an E-4 as a non rate?

I was also told i could strike a rate, but if I moved up to E-4 then switched rate would I keep my rank?

Sign contracts

Redirected — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:27:19 GMT

I recently got my ship date, which I'm still happy about. My question is when do I sign a contract? When will it be discussed what rank I'll enter as?

HOPES FOR JOINING THE CG

josecontazo — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:40:06 GMT

Hello everyone,

If the recruiter says that he cannot offer me a position or enlistement at this time due to astigmatism, does that mean that I cannot join the coast guard ever? or does that mean that they just wont accept me now but will so later?

I want to be an AST, can i get a PRK while im still a civilian and still join and become an aircrew member? or will this dq me from aviation period.

Chance of being Assigned to station.

Zguard1258 — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:54:36 GMT

What is the chance of being assigned to a station vs. a Cutter? I really want to work LE at a Station on a small boat, because LE on a small boat is what got me interested in the CG.

Medical for DEP status

Amorhetleven — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:17:26 GMT

So I am going back to MEPS next week to enter DEP. I was wondering if the medical will be different from the first time I went in September. Will they just check if I make weight and ask me if anything has changed medically or will I have to have blood drawn and do a piss test again?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.