Hi everyone. I am new to the Coast Guard world. I am marrying my fiancé in just two weeks and shortly after that he goes to Cape May for his basic training. After he finishes his basic he is going straight to his A school for Electricians mate. Is this unusual to have a guaranteed a school right out of basic? From what I have been reading usually they get assigned to a base and then have to wait to get to go to school. Does he wait to pick his "dream sheet" until he is in a school? Are there many coast guard bases that have on base housing like other branches, or is it more of finding your own place to rent? I'm really just looking for a run down on what to expect I guess the first year in as we try and adjust to the new lifestyle. Any help or advice/ tips is so appreciated! Thank you!

He will be assigned to a USCG unit upon completion of A-School. Each school does it slightly different but it is the same "dream sheet" concept pretty much. The USCG does not have housing like the other branches; but we do get to use the housing that the other branches have. What that means is that most likely you will be released from USCG housing (because there isn't any or they do and are actually full) and you can choose to use your housing allowance to rent somewhere or go onto housing from another branch if it is available. Most people just rent their own place. He chose to enlist into a guaranteed rating, that is not the typical way to join the USCG but it is an option that opens up from time to time.

Here is a good place to start. Its the Coast Guards own web site. I like to read and have found this site to be a treasure trove of information. You can find out a lot by drilling into the station, sector and cutter links. It really depends where your husband gets assigned as to the availability of gov't quarters as AirDale13 has mentioned.

http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/