My MKC was talking to me about PATFORSWA (I'm a non-rate wanting to go ME.) He said that after your tour there you're number one on A school list. Is that true? Also how long would that be? Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, after a tour there you do get the highest preference for A school. However, getting assigned there is almost as difficult as the waiting time for A school. They will put out an announcement looking for volunteers and then A LOT of non-rates will ask for the spots. You might get one, you might not. Your best bet is to just approach it as though you will be waiting for A school. If you get there early, great. If not, then you will go when you get orders just like the great majority of non-rates.

Make sure you have your weapons quals and can pass the BTM requirements. Those are biggies.

How long is a tour for and where/what exactly is it? I am curious as well because I have never heard of this before?

It is a one year tour in Bahrain.

but this is the last time im going to say this. Dont worry about things like this until you make it through basic and get to your unit and then worry about things. Worrying about it before you ever make it to basic is just a waste of your time!!!

We had a slot to go straight to PATSFORSWA right out of boot camp, we were also solicited within about 2 weeks for more PATSFORSWA stuff once I reported to my first unit. It is OK to be gathering information before it happens, its called being prepared.

I'm currently at my first unit...been here for 4 months now name just got on the list.

They are not allowing it out of boot camp anymore from the last i was told.

BIGC i wasnt talking to you as you are already in. i was talking to someone that has asked about all different type of units that are not the norm for the coast guard( dog, MSST, patforswa) Dont get me wrong on this as it is a very essential mission that has to be done but you should not be looking at going to these units until you get your career started not before you are every through boot camp first.

Remember if you're trying to hop to the top of the A school list, before you deploy you have the wait to predeployment training, predeployment training, then the deployment. I know someone who went and it took him longer to get to A school than if he just waited.

As E said, you just don't go to Bahrain. Theres 4 months of pre-deployment training and other stuff. My former OSC just left for Bahrain and its really an 18-month obligation all said and done.

Thanks for the info guys. Every little bit helps especially where i am stationed not many people talk to about this stuff.

    looking through i see a few people mention that it helps if you have your gun quals. can you be a little more specific on which quals you actually need and what will look best to have. For instance is just having basic in pistol, rifle, and shot gun good enough?

It might. It would help to get practical on those weapons as well. Also it would help to be btm. They are going to take thebest applicants, and most likely those that are tour complete, not minimally qualified and those that arent tour complete.

what do you mean by tour complete?

Tour complete = finishing your orders at that particular unit. In other words, you would apply for it when you are getting ready for transfer season. Look at the message board. The solicitations will appear on there, and they will ask for people that are tour complete in certain years. I'm at predeployment training as we speak for PATFORSWA.

ALCGENL 182/12
SUBJ: BM AY13 PATROL FORCES SOUTHWEST ASIA (PATFORSWA) SOLICITATION
A. MILITARY ASSIGNMENTS AND AUTHORIZED ABSENCES, COMDTINST M1000.8
B. COAST GUARD LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPETENCY QUALIFICATIONS INSTRUCTION,
COMDTINST M16247.3(SERIES)
C. CG WEIGHT AND BODY FAT STANDARDS PROGRAM MANUAL, COMDTINST
M1020.8G
1. AS WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE COAST GUARDS LONG TERM MISSION IN OP
NEW DAWN, WE ARE SOLICITING APPLICANTS FOR ASHORE AND AFLOAT
ASSIGNMENTS AT PATROL FORCES SOUTHWEST ASIA (PATFORSWA). THIS MESSAGE
TARGETS BMS FOR ONE YEAR PCS DEPLOYMENTS TO BEGIN IN THE SUMMER AND
WINTER OF AY13.
2. THIS IS A DEPENDENT RESTRICTED, NON ISOLATED PCS ASSIGNMENT
AVAILABLE FOR MEN AND WOMEN. FOR ADDED BENEFITS, SEE OUR WEBSITE
BELOW.
3. PATFORSWA POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING UNITS:
A. ASSIGNMENT PRIORITY ONE: CGC ADAK, CGC AQUIDNECK, CGC
BARANOF, CGC MAUI, CGC MONOMOY, CGC WRANGELL, WPB RELIEF CREW, MIDDLE
EAST TRAINING TEAM (METT), AND MARITIME FACILITY SECURITY FORCE TEAM
SAUDI ARABIA.
B. ASSIGNMENT PRIORITY TWO: PATFORSWA SHORESIDE SUPPORT
4. ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA: APPLICANTS MUST BE:
A. 18 YEARS OF AGE AT DEPLOYMENT DATE.
B. TOUR COMPLETE IN AY13 (NOT UNDER ORDERS), AY14, AY15.
C. SUITABLE FOR OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT IAW REF A, CH 1.H.3.
D. A U.S. CITIZEN.
E. ELIGIBLE FOR A SECRET CLEARANCE OR HIGHER.
F. MUST MEET OBLISERV REQUIREMENTS (15 MONTHS FROM RPT DATE).
G. MUST HAVE COMPLETED TASK 1-01, PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARDS,
OF
REF B, WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF 01 FEB 12.
H. MUST MEET COAST GUARD WEIGHT STANDARDS IAW REF C.
I. ERESUME MUST INCLUDE A COMMAND ENDORSEMENT.
J. MUST POSSESS A STATE DRIVERS LICENSE VALID THROUGHOUT ENTIRE
TOUR OF DUTY.
K. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, MIDDLE EAST TRAINING TEAM
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:
(1) COMMAND ENDORSEMENT FOR INSTRUCTOR POSITION IAW CHAPTER
1.E.6 OF REF A.
(2) OPSHL QUALIFICATION CODE IS DESIRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED.
(3) TACLET, MSST DSF, OR MSRT EXPERIENCE IS HIGHLY DESIRED,
BUT NOT REQUIRED.
L. PRIOR TO ARRIVAL TO PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING (PDT), MBRS ARE
EXPECTED TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF A CURRENT BASIC QUALIFICATION WITH A
PERSONAL DEFENSE WEAPON (PDW), AND M-16 OR M-4. THIS IS REQUIRED FOR
ALL SHORESIDE AND CUTTER ASSIGNMENTS. ALL E-7 AND BELOW SHORESIDE
ASSIGNMENTS ARE DESIGNATED AS AT/FP WATCHSTANDERS.
5. POSITION INFORMATION:
A. MBRS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR ANY AFLOAT ASSIGNMENTS
SHOULD APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS, WHICH ARE LISTED UNDER CGC
BARANOF DEPT ID 000555:
RATE/RANK POSN NUMBER
BM1 00005805
BM2 00005806
BM3 00005675
B. MBRS INTERESTED IN ASHORE POSITIONS SHOULD APPLY FOR THE
FOLLOWING, WHICH ARE LISTED UNDER PATFORSWA DEPT ID 007006:
RATE/RANK POSN NUMBER
BMC 00075895
BM1 00075896
C. METT INSTRUCTOR POSITIONS: CANDIDATES SHOULD EXPECT TO GO
THROUGH A HIGHLY DEMANDING TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO
THE PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING ATTENDED BY ALL OTHER PATFOR SWA
PERSONNEL. THESE POSITIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING SPECIALIZED
LE TRAINING TO ALL THE CUTTERS IN THEATER AND CERTIFYING THEIR LEVEL
II NON-COMPLIANT BOARDING TEAMS. IN ADDITION, THEY REGULARLY AUGMENT
OTHER TEAMS AND ASSETS IN THEATER AND PERFORM BOARDINGS IN THE
NORTHERN ARABIAN GULF, TRAIN FOREIGN MILITARY UNITS THROUGHOUT THE
REGION AND CONDUCT SPECIAL DEMONSTRATIONS FOR VISITING VIPS. MEMBERS
INTERESTED IN THE METT SHOULD APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING, WHICH ARE
LISTED UNDER THE DEPT ID 007006:
RATE/RANK POSN NUMBER
=SECTION 02=========================================
BM1 00077294
BM2 00075899
BM2 00077299
D. THE MARITIME FACILITY SECURITY FORCE TEAM IN THE KINGDOM OF
SAUDI ARABIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW 5,000
MEMBER MARITIME FORCE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE KINGDOMS CRITICAL
MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE. MBRS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE MARITIME
FACILITY SECURITY FORCE TEAM SHOULD APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING, WHICH IS
LISTED UNDER THE DEPT ID 042565:
RATE/RANK POSN NUMBER
BMCS 00113185 (MBRS OF THE RANK OF BMC ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY)
6. ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES:
A. INTERESTED MBRS SHOULD SUBMIT A COMMAND ENDORSED ERESUME BY
COB 15 OCT 12. THOSE WHO ARE TOUR COMPLETE IN AY12 SHOULD LIST
PATFORSWA POSITIONS FIRST, FOLLOWED BY ENLISTED BM POSITIONS
PUBLISHED ON THE AY12 SHOPPING LIST.
B. MBRS SHALL REQUEST A COMMAND ENDORSEMENT THAT MEETS THE
CRITERIA BELOW.
C. MBRS SHALL COMPLETE THE OVERSEAS SCREENING CHECKLISTS IAW
REF
A, CH 1.H.2.
D. MBRS ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE UPON ARRIVAL A CG-3029 SHOWING
PROOF OF CURRENT BASIC OR PRACTICAL QUALIFICATIONS ON A PDW, AND M-16
OR M-4. PRACTICAL QUALIFICATIONS ON THESE WEAPONS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
ARE ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED. MBRS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND
BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN PRACTICAL QUALIFICATIONS DURING PDT.
7. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT DOCUMENTED RATED EXPERIENCE AND
QUALIFICATIONS MAY TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ASSIGNMENT PRIORITY WHEN
MAKING THESE ASSIGNMENTS. THOSE WHO MEET PATFORSWA ASSIGNMENT
CRITERIA AND ARE NOT SELECTED ARE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP APPRISED OF
LATEST MESSAGE TRAFFIC. ORIG WILL NOTIFY SELECTED MBRS OR THEIR
COMMANDS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
8. COMMAND ENDORSEMENT CRITERIA: ALL PATFORSWA ENDORSEMENTS SHOULD
ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING:
A. VERIFY THAT MBR MEETS ALL ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA ABOVE.
B. LIST MBRS SMALL ARMS QUALIFICATIONS AND MOST RECENT
CERTIFICATION DATE. IF MBR HAS NOT QUALIFIED ON A PDW, AND M-16 OR
M-4, ENDORSEMENT SHOULD ADDRESS MBRS POTENTIAL TO QUALIFY PRIOR TO
ARRIVAL TO PDT.
C. SUMMARIZE PREVIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANTI-TERRORISM/FORCE
PROTECTION EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS.
D. SUMMARIZE SHIPBOARD EXPERIENCE/SHIPBOARD SUPPORT EXPERIENCE
WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. (AFLOAT APPLICANTS ONLY)
E. BACKFILL CONCERNS: WHEN ADDRESSING BACKFILLS FOR MBRS NOT
TOUR COMPLETE IN AY13, COMMANDS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT RECEIVING AN
IMMEDIATE BACKFILL IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. THE COMMAND'S BACKFILL
REQUEST WILL FACTOR INTO THE CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS. ADDITIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS CAN BE FOUND AT OUR WEBSITE.
9. TRAINING AND PCS: ALL PERSONNEL SELECTED FOR THIS DUTY WILL BE
REQUIRED TO COMPLETE PDT. DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. IAW
REF C, COMMANDS SHALL VERIFY COMPLIANCE WITH WEIGHT STANDARDS WITHIN
30 DAYS OF A PDT CLASS CONVENING DATE AND UPDATE DIRECT ACCESS WITH
THE MEMBERS PHYSICAL STANDARDS. IF THE MEMBER IS FOUND NON-COMPLIANT
WITH WEIGHT STANDARDS, THE COMMAND MUST IMMEDIATELY CANCEL THE ORDERS
TO PDT AND NOTIFY TQC, SMTC ADMIN DETACHMENT, AND PSC AS APPROPRIATE.
ANY MEMBER REPORTING PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING DETERMINED TO BE OUT OF
COMPLIANCE WITH CG WEIGHT STANDARDS WILL HAVE THEIR ORDERS FOR PDT
CANCELLED AND WILL BE RETURNED TO THEIR CURRENT UNIT AS APPROPRIATE.
SUBSEQUENTLY, PCS ORDERS TO PATFORSWA MAY ALSO BE CANCELLED.
10. EPM PATFORSWA WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/PSC/EPM/PATFORSWA.ASP
11. FOR ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE BM ASSIGNMENT
OFFICER: BOSN3 WILLIAM WEAVER VIA EMAIL WILLIAM.C.WEAVER(AT)USCG.MIL
OR CALL (202)493-1263. ONCE THE SLATE IS COMPLETE AN ANNOUNCEMENT
WILL BE POSTED ON THE BOSN HOLE SITE IN THE CGPORTAL.
12. COMMAND REPS MAY CONTACT LCDR BRAD KELLY AT (202)493-1250.
13. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE OPERATIONAL NATURE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO SMTC ADMIN DETACHMENT: CWO MARIANNE MCCORMACK
AT MARIANNE.MCCORMACK(AT)USCG.MIL, OR (757)295-2234.
14. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.

That is the BM one but they are all pretty much the same, including the nonrate one. You also need to be "suitable for overseas assignment" which means no alcohol incidents in the past 2 years. No excessive Financial Strain.. ect.

My command had me do basic and practical for pistol and shotgun. The reason why i wasn't chosen was lack of LE experience, so being a BTM is a huge help.

So does that mean i cant go if i have dependents, such as a wife and child?

No you can go, you just can't bring them. You would live as a Geobachelor. Cooch is in predeployment training he will be able to elaborate more.

I have a wife and three kids. While the Navy brings their dependent there, we are on a restricted tour. You will receive the BAH for where your family resides while you are deployed. There are also tax breaks and extra pay and allowances. If you have dependents, make sure this is a family decision and everyone is on board. I made my decision together with my family, and I couldn't imagine how tough it would be if I had made this decision on my own. For most billets, its a one year tour, not including two months of predeployment training and some other online training you need to complete. So all in all, it is a one year deployment, but a 15 month commitment. I'm in predeployment training right now, and am scheduled to report overseas around the end of April. You get two weeks of R&R time in the middle sometime, to come home and visit the family. There is wifi in the housing over there, so you will be able to Skype or FaceTime with them on a regular basis.

It's a huge decision, so make sure you think about everything that goes into it. Overall, I think it will be a rewarding tour, and something that will bring good memories when I'm long since retired.

My ex-husband did a year in Iraq. He was in Umm Qasr. For his 2 week R&R his wife and son flew from Juneau, Alaska to Spain. They spent 2 weeks there having a great time. He also received the Bronze Star while he was there. He said it was an absolute pit but he is very proud of his work there and glad he did it.

that is on my sons CG bucket list!