Hi, I'm new to the Coast Guard, or will be soon, but not to the military. My husband has been a 0311 infantry in the Marines for 6 years and we've finally compromised on him joining another branch where we don't have to worry about him being sent to
Iraq
all the time. He was swim team captain in high school so he really liked the Coast Guard, and he definitely doesn't want a desk job. He's going to OCS next year after he graduates and I was hoping to get a little information as I am about to start graduate school as well and need to know some stuff about his training times.
I know OCS is 17 weeks... How long is the average specialty training after that? How long should I expect to live apart from him? I would prefer to stay near family until he actually gets stationed somewhere else that way I can finish up school.
Where can I find out more about the officer route, and all the basics we will need to know? I know they give this to you right before he starts OCS, but I need to know sooner than this as we need to go ahead and make plans. His recruiter hasn't been very helpful so far in answering my questions other then getting his application in for OCS. Past OCS, he doesn't seem to want to help us.
Also, (and this might be more of a spouse question), but what can I expect from the Coast Guard as a spouse. What's his job going to be like as an officer? The marines didn't have much of a family support group-- as much respect as I have for those guys, families always came second to the corps, and I'm hoping it will be different in the Coast Guard.
Ok, I realize this was a complete essay! But thanks in advance, and I appreciate anything anyone is willing to help me with. I understand Marine Enlisted basics, but the switch to Officer Coast Guard is going to be a big change.