MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST (ME)


Protecting America's Ports, Waterways, and Interests at home and abroad. Maritime Enforcement Specialists are trained in Maritime Law Enforcement, Anti-terrorism, Force Protection, and Physical Security.

Types of Duty

Maritime Enforcement Specialists are a cadre of professionals well grounded in knowledge and skills pertaining to law enforcement and security duties. As such, members of this rating can be expected to be assigned challenging duties including traditional maritime law enforcement, anti-terrorism force protection, port security and safety, as well as providing unit-level training in these fields.

Required Qualifications:

Must be eligible for a SECRET clearance.

Must have Normal Color Vision.

Have no domestic violence convictions or restraining orders prohibiting them from legally carrying a firearm.

Must be in compliance with the Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards.

Must pass either the Boarding Officer and Boat Crew Physical Fitness test or the Deployable Specialized Forces Tier II Physical Fitness Test.

Desirable Characteristics:

Law Enforcement and Security Experience: Military or civilian.
Weapons Qualification: Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun qualifications.
Drivers License: Currently hold a valid State Driver's License.
Related Civilian Jobs:

Local, state, or federal law enforcement
Physical and personal security positions

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

Dneezy posted in old ME forum;

I will be attending the first A-School class this February and will be more then willing to update whenever possible AND what is allowable. But it's so new that even my Unit does not know exactly what role the new ME's will be playing and how to integrate us. Like the above says, give it some months or at least until the first class graduates which is 14 APRIL 2010.

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

Anyone on here joining me for school in February? I'm getting hype!

Please post what you know when you guys graduate. My husband wants to do it but he wants to make sure it is worth the wait. No one wants to be stuck as an E-3 forever.

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My husband is in Boot Camp right now and he is excited for this new position. It sounds like just what he would love to do! We however don't know if he is going right from boot camp to this A school? He graduates boot camp April 9th. The above post says the first graduation of this A school is April 14th...Does anyone know when the next group starts? I hope my husband can get into the next school. And am I right that the A school is in Yorktown VA?

He won't be going straight to "A" school from boot camp unless it was guaranteed. If it was guaranteed it would have been written in his contract. The most likely scenario follows...

He will report to his first unit. In 4 months he will be eligible to put his name on an "A" school list, and he will wait for orders. The ME "A" school list MIGHT be open then, if not he will have to wait until it does open. Then he can put his name on the list. From that point the wait COULD be up to a year and a half. Things change quickly, so don't take any of this as gospel.

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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.

- Mark Twain

Thank you for this information. We were told that he might not go right to school and it is not in his contract. The only thing that was, was the district to be stationed for his unit. But he is entering his 4th week at cape may so we will see when he knows more what will happen. It is just so weird to not know anything at this point! But thank you again for the information.

I thought ME school is in Charleston, SC. But I may be wrong.

ME "A" School is in Charleston, SC. The other school are split between Yorktown, VA and Petaluma, CA with the exception of PA "A" school, which is in Ft. Meade, MD.

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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.

- Mark Twain

So chuckles any updates?

Question. So what happens in the meantime if someone has their name on a specific A school list and they're just waiting to get in? Sounds like they'd be lingering around...

I wasn't guaranteed an A school so I will have to go through the process of finding an A school, correct?

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Righ now Righ now or Later Later

Once you put your name on an 'A' school list you continue to do exactly what you were doing before you put your name on an 'A' school list: Working.

Hint: Don't be caught 'lingering around'.

Haha no I wasn't insinuating that I plan on lingering It just seemed like a gap in time to me and when you say working what would I be doing exactly if I don't havea rate at that time? I'm sorry your response was slightly general.

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Righ now Righ now or Later Later

I shall try again. Nothing changes because you put your name on an 'A' school list. You keep on doing whatever it is you were doing before you put your name on an 'A' school list. Nothing changes until you get to the top of the 'A' school list and are cut orders to report to school.

Got it. Thanks so much! :)

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Righ now Righ now or Later Later

anyone read the new ME newsletter Spring 10? Said they were bringing in over 250 MEs through A school.

Just out of curiosity if you go to a school and become an me are you screwed if you stay for a career. Im having a hard time thinking of a civilian job that would relate to this rate once one is retired and in their 40's or so. I apologize I don't mean to offend anyone I'm just curious I'm really liking this rate

Well, the Coast Guard is going to send you to a multitude of Law Enforcement schools. You will be a highly trained law enforcement specialist. The post Coast Guard opportunities are substantial. How does that translate to being "screwed" for other jobs? Local PD, Customs and border protection, Federal LE jobs, private security firms.....etc.

i only mean "screwed" in the sense that when you retire your generally in your 40's and most law enforcment agencies have a cut off in age. i may be wrong tho, that what i thought tho.

I have watched a few of the reality shows on TruTV or CrimeTV... there are people just entering police academies now in their late 40's, even 50's. With a strong military background in the right field, you should have no problem getting into a law enforcement agency. You might not have every single one to choose from but I'm sure there will be plenty of available options.

Oh okay thanks I thought most agencies had a much younger cut off good to know

Think of all the positive things you would bring to the table. Experience, training, wisdom. Agencies like to hire people who are already trained and ready to do the job...versus spending a ton of money to train a person from scratch.

Would consideration be made with a prior service member with infantry and law enforcement in civilian sector to get a slot on the ME A school?

no. no type of prior training or job experience will get you up the a school list faster.

Anybody going to ME school September of next year?

My recruiter has informed me that my A school date will be Sept 2011. Such a long wait..........

Sinj, have you already gone to bootcamp? Just wondering cause you said that your recuirter told you that you will be going to "a" school on September 2011.

Hey its worth the wait as long as your guaranteed "A" school, I guess Ill see you there next year in september!

ME isn't a guaranteed rate for school. Are you a reservist? That is a horse of another color then.

Oh yea, I forgot to mention Im a reservist lol and your right its not a guaranteed rate for full time active duty