Hi, I'm interested in hearing different perspectives in regards to enlisting after receiving a bachelor's degree instead of becoming an  officer. I've spoken to others about this (albeit in the other 4 branches) who mostly strongly discourage it saying you don't get a degree just to live the life of an E-3. 

I enlisted after getting a degree. I loved my time in in college and I use what I learned almost every day(communications major). Would I go back and do things different? No, I have a feeling that if I had joined first I probably would have put off getting a degree for a long time.I don't really subscribe to the belief of "what ifs." I have made my decisions and they had influenced who I am.

I am 27 and have my Bachelors Degree and am working on my Masters and I am enlisting in the USCG. My reason being and this might sound stupid to some people but it is easier to get into the USCG as enlisted than it is an Officer. My plan is to go enlisted, do my time as an E3, get rated (unsure what rate but leaning towards ME/BM) maybe.... Then after reaching E-5 which  could potentially be about 4 or 5 years put in my application for OCS.  At that point I will be in my low 30's, have my Masters Degree have military experience, management experience in civilian life and also law enforcement experience because I was a police officer.

Yes the idea of being stuck at an E-3 does suck until A-school, but I am doing it because I want to be happy, travel the world, and learn and do things I haven't done and I want to serve my country and know what I am doing is right in my heart.  All my friends in the USCG and yes even some are Officers told me being enlisted is a lot of fun, so that is why I am doing it.

I pretty sure I've seen some of the recruiters here say that a big chunk, if not all their applicants, have at least bachelor's degrees. I had part of my Master's degree when I joined. In this economy, my degrees meant nothing because I had no experience. The CG said they would give it to me. And they have. And even enlisted, I make a LOT more money than I did, so I don't care that it's not the officer paycheck. Now that I've been in, not sure I want to be an officer anymore. I am so, so glad I got my degree before I joined. I really got to have a lot of fun and experience new things in college, which I feel helped make me a better person and Coastie. I was not ready to do the things the CG would ask of me at 17. At 22, I was.

I regret nothing about joining the CG with a degree. I look at it the same way I looked at going to college when I started. What I earned at college was a lot more than a degree. It was experiences I could never have anywhere else with people I could never meet anywhere else. It's the same way with the Coast Guard. I'm getting experiences that I couldn't get anywhere else, from any other job.
As for the Officer/Enlisted aspect. It depends on what you want to get out of your time in the CG. You can get management experience as enlisted. You'll get more of it as an officer. With a few exceptions (my platform being one of them) officers don't get to go hands on as often as enlisted do. If you want to heave around on a line, drive a small boat, man a buoy crane, tear down an engine, basically anything with your hands, enlisted is the way to go. That's what I want out of my time here. I like to earn my pay with sweat.

2/3 of the people that I enlist have college degrees. It's very common.

That's what I'm doing.

When my son was in A school, he was the only one in his barracks room *without* a degree.

Even before he went to A school, he was making more money and had better benefits than his four cousins who have at least six degrees between them...three of whom are still dependent on their parents for at least some support.
What do you have to lose?

My husband enlisted at 25 with a BA, and has no intentions of becoming an officer. I don't think it's uncommon.

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with a pilot's license here. Just enlisted and will be shipping out August 7. I did apply for OCS this year, but like many, were not selected. Had a very competitive packet with great letters, endorsements, and above par officer interview. After being told I was a prime candidate from many CG Commanders, they did inform that OCS is ultra-competitive and the acceptance rate is the lowest it has been for years. I could ramble on about this but I'll try to stay on subject. If you have a degree and want to be an officer, than you have to work hard and WANT to be an officer.As for myself, I am looking for anything to improve myself so that I can get accepted into OCS. Like many of you said, there are many enlisted personnel with degrees who have no passion to become an officer. Its all about job preference and what you really want to do. I think enlisting for anyone is a great thing. The USCG will give us great job skills that can be used in the civilian world. Plus we get to travel, sail, perform missions that save lives, and be in a branch that is always being used regardless of our country's war status. If you have no desire to be an officer, than you shouldn't. Many have done what you are doing and have been very happy. As for myself, being an officer and a CG pilot is my objective so learning the trade as an enlisted personnel first is a great start. Good luck!