I'm currently serving in the Army National Guard and I'm in the process of filling out the application for the United States Coast Guard. I always have a passion for law enforcement since this is the only branch of the US military that only deals with martime security, law enforcement and SAR. I know that any prior service like myself, I have to go to DEPOT at Cape May, New Jersey for the 3 week boot camp. The boot camp is designed to produce E-4 (Third Petty Officer) and I'm a E-4 (Specialist) right now in the national guard. My MOS is a culinary specialist, but I want to switch into the Martime Enforcement Specialist. Also, my recruiter said that I can keep my E-4 rank if continue to be a culinary specialist for the USCG. If i get into the DEPOT program, can i get in as E-4, then go to A school for the ME or reduce my rank to E-3?
Also, during the 3 week DEPOT training, did anyone had to learn how to shoot the SIG Sauer P229 .40 pistol?
Thank you!