i will tell you if you want to go active go active dont do reserves and think you can easly intergrate.

Yes im active and i enjoy it most every day

I know for MST you need a AR+VE of 114, I have a 115 but on the MK portion you need a 56 but I have a 55. Can I get a waiver from my CO or do I need retake that portion of the ASVAB?

I believe you can get a waiver for up to 5 points. So you should be able to request that.

I am looking into enlisting in the Coast Guard and MST would be my top choice for a job. I have a few questions on the MST field...

1 - Can a MST be assigned to a MSST, or the new MSRT, or a LEDET?

2 - I know it was briefly mentioned before, but where can a MST work in weather forecasting in the coast guard (e.g. at an air station?) To be honest, I've been looking at other services as well, and weather forecasting is one of my top choices for a career. The reason why is because I already graduated college with a degree in geographic science (similar to environmental science), and in the major I took a few classes in physical geograhy and meteorology. I really liked the subject a lot, and I would like to gain experience in this field so that if i choose to leave the military after 4 years, I would have weather forecasting on my resume that i could apply for a job in the meteorology field. So yeah, is there a good chance to do weather forecasting as a MST and where do those MSTs who attended C school for weather usually work at?

Thanks

ok im going to hit this quick.

yes a MST can be at a MSST not sure about the others as i havent looked at the billet selection lately.

Weather school is not that common for a MST. I know that they use to send them if you were going to a polar roller but not sure they are still sending people. Dont plan on doing weather as a MST it is more then likely not going to happen.

Dont plan on spending 4 years in the CG and get out if you want to be a MST as of right now the average wait time is over 2 years so you will be at 5 to 6 years before you would be eligble to get out after attending A school.

I'm interested in going mst because I'm interested in the aspects of the rate. I am new to the coast guard (2months since basic) and recently had a baby. I am interested in knowing more about class a school and the work schedule. I know different units have different hours and all but i would like help on deciding if It would be benificial to me as I have just started a family.

Hey John where are you stationed. I will answer any questions you have and help you however you may need. Gve me some basic information and I will get ahold of you. Just pm me and I will get you a basic email sent to you

None of ours have been going to weather school, we bring navy weather guys on board when we need them.

from how it is explained it is a waste of 9 months as you only use it while you are there. i am not sure if they cut it but you dont use any of the weather stuff after you leave the cutter. We have NOAA at sectors and MSD/MSU

What is the best place to be stationed for an aspiring MST right out of boot camp? Also, would it be more useful to go the FN or SN route?

Really won't matter on unit or no-rate position. My ex-husband was stationed in Kodiak... First spot was at the MAA shack (Master at arms) he cleaned and inspected barracks rooms. Eventually he was able to leave there and move to the mailroom. He went to the airport, picked up mail, sorted it, delivered it to boats... truly had nothing to do with the MST world. He went to MST A school and was very successful both in his enlisted and officer career in the M Field. Other that his time as a non-rate, M is all he has ever done in the Coast Guard.

Best of luck! The wait is long but the rating is pretty good, Jim has had an amazing career and getting ready to head into his twilight tour. He will retire with a little more than 30 years active duty. I don't think he would change much of his career path at all.

Wondering how security clearance fits in with this rating. Maybe I should have posted a new thread in the general category first as I don't know much on how security clearance fits in with any rate really other than that IS requires TS (I believe?) Either way I'd much appreciate any info on the subject.

You really need a secret clearance as part of our job is handling information that is required to maintain the Clearance

Daughter in law just got her duty assignment while in A School (MST)  Nashville, TN.

I don't know what they do in Nashville but would love to be there

It looks like its been awhile since this was event mentioned so I'm wondering if its still a part of the MST job. Does an MST get the chance to have time aboard the icebreakers and if so, what do they do while there?

They are still on ice breakers... Bells would probably have good insight for you. She was on an ice breaker. Southern might know some of what their tasks are as well. He is an MST but never on a polar roller.

I can't help with the Polaris as I don't have anyone that I know that is on them

Heading to A school in a week. Three long years floating on a 270, but will miss some of those times. Any idea on types of units they tend to put on a school pics or is it just needs of service? My goal is to be on strike teams and/or boarding inspections of drilling units containers; what units should i look to as first duty station?

Chances of a strike team are very very slim. If I can give you a piece of advise when the picks come out take the busiest port you can find. Don't worry about containers as it isn't a job that will help much for advancement. It is a great job I hold the qual and more less ran the portion for the shop for a while. I will say enjoy school and pic something that works for you.

The pics will be all over the place. Or it could just be the gulf coast.

I would also pick a busy port. If it's a big unit then you have the possibilities to switch departments to get more experience.

Thanks for the advice! I figured strike team was very slim haha. Will keep posted on pick start school a week today! Does anyone know any info about RAID teams, the MEC on my cutter mentioned MSTs going to this program.

You have to be an E-5 or above to be assigned to the RAID team. It has something to do with Navy Customs and their policy of having E-5s and above. Also if you want to go RAID and be competitive, it helps to have your Facility and Container qual. Therefore try to get stationed at a Sector's Prevention Department. Avoid Response or Waterways if RAID is a priority.

MSTs on the Healy are mostly aids/babysitters/slaves to the scientists and then riggers. They don't have 3rd class billets anymore, they were switched over to bm3 billets. So now there is one mst2, a mst2 and a mstc. I can't speak for the star other than I know a mst3 that was on there before she switched to Healy (actually. .. was on the sea) but they weren't underway so she probably wasn't doing any science. Regardless it isn't rating specific work that they are doing. It would be an out of rate tour basically

Thanks again for all the advice about units! RAID maybe isnt a top priority but surely something i would strive for. During my tenure o the cutter i attended courses put on by Navy meant for sailors and marines deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. After speaking with them i was intrigued and wanted to go but was unaware of RAID team and put that feeling aside, now knowing their role i would want to make one of the teams. Please feel free to pm me or just bombard this thread with info about any other units anyone has been at, my wife and i are excited/anxious to find out where we will be going next! Any tips for hhg moves esp since we'll only have a short time between finding out where were going and the time we leave

Reporting to class 02B-14 today! Will post updates, thanks again for all advice and info!

Reporting to class 02B-14 today! Will post updates, thanks again for all advice and info!

Best of luck!!! MST is a good rate! It gave my ex-husband a very good career, almost 30 years and still going strong in the M Field.

Old Guard you said that your husband was an MST in the M field? What is the M field? I tried googling it and could not find anything.

I know that some rates have more specialized jobs that you have to qualify for, for example Surfman. Is that what MST M field is kinda like?

If so, I hope I can learn about these rate specializations before choosing a rate.

Thanks!

The M field is the catch all for MSOs, MSUs, and MSDs. Primarily MSTs are assigned to those units. But, there are billets for other ratings. The Surfman and Heavy Weather Cox'n qualifications are unit specific qualifications.