I am joining the coast guard and couldn't be more excited! I ship out May 15th 2012 and it could get here soon enough. I really wanna do something along the lines of a boarding team or drug interdiction. I am going in E3 thanks to Jrotc in high school. any tips or advice would be great. I know A schools are pretty full so any secrets or anything would be truly appreciated.

Welcome aboard! Congratulations on getting your ship date. Not too many secrets about getting to A school any quicker... just get your quals done as quickly as youcan so you can get your name on the list & then just keep your nose clean so you stay on the list. Best of luck. Let us know if you have any other questions, we'll try to help however we can.

Welcome...enjoy your journey!

Thanks, I have been doing some research lately I guess the recruiter is the best guy to ask but I am really interested in the Joint special missions. I understand you have to go to the SMTC, I need to find out what the first step is. Anybody have a clue?

It sounds like you want to attached to the Deployable Operations Group (DOG). You won't be eligible for A DOG unit until you are rated Petty Officer. The first step is going to boot camp and graduating, the second step is getting to your unit and qualifying at your various watch stations. The 3rd step is getting your name on an "A" School list. By then you'll have access to all of the info on CG Missions and SMTC.

Well that really helps a lot gets thanks for the straight forward answer the uscg.mil isn't too great for that. Should I consider a certain rate then such as 'ME I hear bm's do a lot of boardings and pretty versatile. I know ME has a 2 year wait which I don't mind I ust need to know what the best approach is. Possible strike for bm?

For the DOG units BM, MK, GM, ME, and believe it or not SK are the rates you want to look at.

Oh wow that was extremely helpful, Thus is striking for MK or BM a more likely scenario instead of waiting on an A school. Especially if I am going in as a E3?

Striking vs "A" School is pretty much the same wait right now. So, you can go either way. A rating doesn't guarantee assignment to a certain type of unit either. I've been an MK for a long time, I've never been assigned to a DOG unit. I've never asked for one either so that probably had lots to do with it.

Is there anyway to strike while on an A school list?

You can strike while you're on the "A" school list. If you finish striking before you get orders to school you can just wait to advance, or go to school.

Sounds like a plan it can't hurt to do both. I noticed Mk has a 6 month or less wait which seems to be the best wait besides FS. MK seems like a great rate. I have four months before I can apply anyways so I should have an idea of which rate seems to be a better suit for me by then.

Don't worry about picking a rate now. Worry about getting into mental and physical shape for boot camp. When you get to your either you'll pick your rate or your rate will pick you.

You're absolutely right Gears. I'm working out everyday and honestly couldn't be more anxious to go. Is boot camp really all that tough though? My dad said is was more mentally draining than physically. He did the Navy though and that was back in 89. I wrestled for 4 years although I'm not in the same shape I was I am excited for the pt. Honestly I get two different answers I hears guys say it was a breeze and others say it was the hardest thing they ever done.

It depends on the individual. For me it was miserable at the time. When it was over, it didn't seem all that bad. But, it did prepare me for the stress of being in the fleet, which is like boot camp to the 25th power.

I hear that. My whole life whenever I screwed up my dad would tell me you'd get kille on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. I really respect anybody who can make it out on the fleet its a tough life and stressful on the families as well. Thanks for all your help and service.