I'm interested in the Public Affairs rating, and I know that it has one of the longest waiting times. I had read somewhere that you can get placed ahead of people who are lower in rate than you... Is this true? Because I'm currently in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which may allow me to go in as an E2 or E3. So, I'm curious if this or something else would nudge me ahead in any way.

No. You can be put on the wait list as an E2 when you're in the coast guard but all E3s will be taken ahead of you.

I was an E2 and put my name on the list. I made E3 and my name got bumped back to the date I made E3. It literally made no difference.

Also, there isn't really any difference between E1, E-2, and E-3. You may be able to go to Bahrain for a year and they used to put you at the top of the list when you got back. I'm not sure if they still do that.

Posted By stealthtt24 on 12 Dec 2018 05:20 PM
No. You can be put on the wait list as an E2 when you're in the coast guard but all E3s will be taken ahead of you.

I was an E2 and put my name on the list. I made E3 and my name got bumped back to the date I made E3. It literally made no difference.

Actually E-2's no longer lose their place on the list when they make E-3.  So the earlier you can get your name on the list the better!