Hello all, 

I've been an IV for 13 years and in the CGR for 18 , so I can answer many of these questions. The first question I have for you is have you contacted the CGIS detachment near you to determine if there are any IV billets (openings)? No openings=no enlistment into that unit. Also know that going into CGIS is much like applying for a civilian PD. Written test/oral board/background/poly/final review by the Director of CGIS. You also need to be able to qualify for a Top Secret clearance, which means another background. This is all on top of having to meet the CG Reserve enlistment qualifications. I've known of a few folks that have easily passed the requirements for enlistment, but not make it into CGIS.

The other issue I see here is your age. At 26, you're a year too young for DEPOT. If IV is what you're set on, then wait the additional year till you're 27 ( I think you can start the process at 26, as long as you're 27 by your ship date). I'll also tell you that five years as a patrol cop doesn't make you much of a viable candidate for CGIS. We're really looking for people with a solid investigative background.

Once you finish DEPOT as an IV, you would report to your detachment for your IDT (drill) periods. Something to know about CGIS, is that the Reservists are not tied to a tradtional one weekend a month/two weeks in the summer schedule. Since you're working alongside the active duty personnel, it's more than likely you'll be doing your IDT during the week. Make sure this is not an issue for you civilian department.

You will go to FLETC for your Intro to CGIS course (as I call it). There's no set schedule as to when that happens.

As for your MEPS related questions, we have a number of current/former recruiters active on this forum who are better prepared to answer those questions

If you have any additional questions specific to CGIS, the IV rating, or the CG Reserve in general, feel free to shoot me a PM here.

Regards

Thanks for the reply. Your feedback was really helpful. I suspected there would be a long hiring process somewhat like a PD or federal special agent position considering it’s CGIS. I may have to look into ME. It sounds like I’ll have a better chance being it’s ride around the corner for me. I am planning a visit to MEPS in March. 

I went through Depot as an ME in 2013. There were people younger than 27 in my class so unless they changed the age requirements you should be fine given the 5 years patrol experience. If you go ME you may be able to get A school waived and graduate as a petty officer (e-4). Some people in my class went into rates outside their civilian job and had to attend A school. CGIS is hard to get into. Transferring rates can be difficult but I had a friend do it last year. I imagine most commands would be supportive of this career advancement and wouldn’t hold you back unless the unit really couldn’t let you go.

I can’t swim well but passed the 100m first try. Just try and find a HS pool to get into if you can to knock the dust off swimming. Don’t worry too much about how much time you’ll spend away from your job. It’s good to give them a heads up but I’ve been gone much more than expected and wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything else. Even if you can’t get into Depot or have to go to A school I’d say go for it. 20 years from now no one will remember you were gone for 4 months during the summer.

-Delsin

Posted By Bruthe2396 on 17 Feb 2018 01:40 PM
Thanks for the reply. Your feedback was really helpful. I suspected there would be a long hiring process somewhat like a PD or federal special agent position considering it’s CGIS. I may have to look into ME. It sounds like I’ll have a better chance being it’s ride around the corner for me. I am planning a visit to MEPS in March. 

Am I able to switch rates once I get a little more experience? I have interviewed for a detective position and am awaiting to possibly hear something in May. My recruiter told me it’s difficult to switch rates while active duty but he wasn’t too sure about reserves. 

Respectfully 

It's pretty easy to switch ratings.  I went from PS (the forerunner to ME) to IV back in 2005 and there wasn't much to it. You just base your request on the fact that you want to move to a rating that enables you to use your civilian skill set to benefit the CG.  If you're working a Detective Bureau assignment by then, it should be a snap.

In regards to the age, I went through DEPOT when I was 26 years old; however, I turned 27 while I was in DEPOT. Great way to celebrate my birthday! 

I finished up DEPOT earlier this year and we had a couple of people that were in their mid-20s (under 27). I think most of the really younger ones (~22y/o) were all prior service transferring branches, but I am fairly sure we did have a Federal LEO that was 25.

Hello all,

Back again. I have yet to start with the USCG. I last got the okay to come down for MEPS and wanted to wait until I heard about a detective position in my current local PD job. Well, still waiting for that detective position and beginning to lose patience.

Up above I talked about the reserves. My interest has now switched to going full time. So here’s some brutal honesty because I could use a clear cut to the chase answer:

I make 61k at my current civilian PD with 6 years of service. My wife stays home and watches two kiddos which is what we want to continue to do. We are paycheck to paycheck. 61k may sound decent but when your having 1200-1300 in taxes taken out, there’s little left to pay bills.

I am thinking about making the leap and doing full time however I know it’ll be a pay cut. I’m looking at quality of life moving forward. Are there any former LEs that can give me some advice that have made the move? I feel like if I invested the last 6 years in the military i could be making well above 61k.

I think you're overestimating your salary after 6 years. Let's assume you're an E-5, with 6 years of service. You'd get $2925.30/month, or $35,103.60/year before taxes. Granted, this isn't taking into account your housing allowance, and that's variable depending on your assignment location. There's a number of other allowances you may get, but I still think you'd be far short of $61K/year. Also, if you're considering AD, you and the Missus need to have a serious conversation about the fact you will likely be gone for long periods of time, should you end up on a cutter. That would mean she's taking care of the little ones by herself for up to 90 days at a time.

Just some things to think about

I agree with the Chief. If you want to serve keep thinking about the reserves. If you resign your LE job to go active and you wash out of Boot Camp its been known to happen then what?

Thanks for the input! We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about it. Looks like we will have to do some more. I know it’s a risk that I’d be taking however I may take the chance. Feeling pretty strongly about it despite a pay cut.