hey zk don't let one persons situation make you think twice about wanting to do the things that you want to do. However, if there were basket full of people with the same issue then that is different.

Dricas24 comment is right execpt for the fact that I know of 15 other Prior Service ppl that have tried to get back to there respcetive services after spending as little as 6 months in the CG. I'm tell you this so that you will be far warned about what you are getting yourself into. My suggestion is if you are married, like myself and the 15 others, join another branch is better for you family life. My Wife hates every aspect of the CG, the only part that she likes is that the CG is stationed mostly on the Coast, thats all

This may be a little late, but I think I can put my finger on the problem. I am prior (and soon to be again) coastie, but i have been in the army in iraq this last year. I can't stand the army, I noticed that a good coastie makes a terrible soldier and viceversa. There are two different concepts of military being compared here. I will give an example: my unit was providing security for eod and when I was driving an rg31 I would turn it on put it in gear and stand by to head out, keep in mind we were a time-sensetive unit. My platoon sgt would throw a fit - I didn't have permission to put the vehicle in gear, I didn't double check with him that my seatbelt was on, I didn't have permission for any of the dozen things that make an operation work!!?? In the guard as a nonrate, I was expected to have everything ready for a job without my supervisor standing over me all day, yet here in the army a specialist does nothing without being told (a good one anyway).

I think the apples and oranges analogy is pretty accurate, there are definately two different mindsets at work. I noticed the army has lower standards and 10 times more people, I don't see how the coast guard can do its job like the army does. I will be glad to get back to the guard and not be hassled with the petty nonsense that goes on here, like on-the-spot-corrections for my rolled sleeves. (yeah I can't roll my sleeves in 120+ weather!)

Note that the particular person posting his displeasure does so on a regular basis. He does also post some thoughtful and useful information.

I did only USCG, so I can not actually make the direct comparison.

I find the other guy's apples and oranges comparison of the Army and USCG to be interesting.
Since the USCG is a smaller service that handles a lot of real situations every day, everybody has to be capable. Since the Army is a much larger group of people to manage and form into big teams for purposes of war, they require more detailed discipline.