So if I were to leave for BC in October, the waitlist will probably open again by December, right? I've got a tour of a couple stations coming up soon so I'll talk to a couple MEs, but so far it sounds like EXACTLY the rating I want.

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Tim - CA to NJ!

No. Just one.

You could strike a rate while having your name on A-school list, though.

+1 lan56

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

- Mark Twain

whats strike a rate mean?<!-- Edit -->

Last Edited : 4/12/2010 2:42:45 AM GMT

You are given a packet of tasks to study and learn, and then demonstrate. As you become proficient in each task you get it signed off, and when you finish all the tasks and take a test you wait to become promoted to petty officer in that rate.

You do all this while remaining at your unit, and you do all this at your own pace after you are done with your primary duties. So it could take you longer or shorter than just going to A-school, depending on you.

Not all rates are strikeable, though. BM, MK, YN, and SK are just a few that are strikeable. MST and ME are not strikeable though.<!-- Edit -->

Last Edited : 4/12/2010 3:01:34 AM GMT

Not necessarily.  The list will open up again when the wait time comes back below 12 months.  Since they don't have all of their school dates scheduled yet, it's hard to tell when it will open up again.

Oh ok. Thanks Cooch. I guess just because it's new and there're so many LE hopefuls, it's pretty sought after right now. I'll just take it as it comes and work my butt off at what I do... I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm just on the hurry up and wait for now.

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Tim - CA to NJ!

Ya I love my signature although it gets confused with the Jersey shore. Never watched it to be honest. :) But I can totally understand why the list is closed. I bet everybody that could did jump on it when it became the new rate. Stinks though. I don't know if I want to strike any other rate. I'd rather be non-rate. Although I do like the Medical Tech rate. More info on that?

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Sorry about the updates. School just got too busy, along with taking advantage of any free time to do other things, and internet issues kept me from here. But most of you all know the first class of ME's graduated. All 24 of us too. It was an awesome experience that I would do all over again in a minute. We had great instructors, and awesome Class Sponsor, and a tremendous support staff. Out of all the questions I've been getting from people, the one that comes up everytime is, "Is it worth waiting to get my name on the list?" I will say YES! If being challenged, wanting action, and desire LE in your every day life is what you want, then ME training has it all.

As mentioned before, physical fitness has a large part of being an ME. Most of the AD class got DOG units and they all require a Tier 1 physical fitness standard. The workouts in the A-School are geared towards not only passing those, but to demolish them. We had a few struggle with them and hopefully they work hard at their assigned units to make the standards. Another huge part of schooling is the range. We had to pass the CG and FLETC standards to graduate. We almost lost some due to this.They give you ample amounts of attempts to pass all the range quals. While waiting to get on the list, spend time working on these. If you fail any part of any gun quals, you can't graduate.

I will also suggest you get your EPME exam taken care of before attending. Midterms for class are given the same time as EPME and it got a quite stressful for most to study for both at the same time. Not to mention if you fail the EPME you gotta worry about taking it again later on. If you fail the EPME (again - after multiple chances) you do not make PO and wear the rated SNME patch at graduation and miss out on being pinned.

Classes are challenging but the instructors are great and teach them in a way that help you understand and relate. They provide outside help and give assistance whenever you take advantage. If you have attended BTM or BO school, they are the same courses with amped up material. Save those workbooks if you get them at C-School and use them to study before going to A-School. The more knowledge and ready you are with definitions (i.e. 6 levels of force, Commandant's Use of Force Policy, 14 USC 89a) the better you'll perform on exams and with articulating your actions in scenarios. But don't worry, as someone with NO LE background or any insight of this info (again the instructors are great) you'll catch on and do fine if you put in the effort.

If you have any questions, feel free to send them my way. I wish those attending the next 2 classes and future classes the best as we set the bar high Be sure to treat and thank the FLETC housekeeping and dining staff whenever you get a chance. (a good tip-trust me).

ME3!

What are DOG units?

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They are Deployable Operations Group units such as:
MSST: Maritime Safety & Security Teams
MSRT: Maritime Safety & Response Teams
PS: Port Security
TACLET: Tactical Law Enforcement Team

There are others but basically these main ones deploy anywhere in the US as well as foreign tours performing missions such as drug interdiction in the carribbean, providing port security over seas, counter-terrorism in the Atlantic, LE training at CG units, working with Navy missions and more. A good amount of action and LE and highly sought out at ME A-School.

That sounds so cool!! Good post thanks.

With the new ME rate and many lateraling over from MK or BM, does this mean in the future there will ONLY be ME's at DOG units?

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^{Future Coastie} _{Coming in 2011}

Good info about the DOG units. Thanks! :)

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Captnick,

I'll never say "never," but I doubt it. There is much more to CG LE than you realize. Every unit and mission in the CG is supported by a variety of rates. Believe it or not YN and SKs have a hand in SAR and LE. It's what separates us from the rest of the pack.

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

- Mark Twain

Glad to hear that. Would love to get on an MSST in the future...

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^{Future Coastie} _{Coming in 2011}

I just came from an MSST last summer. It was fun.

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Couple questions:
1. I heard that it's possible to put a "rating guarantee" on your DEP contract. Is that true? And if so, would you also be able to put a "district guarantee" or is it and either or kinda thing? Does your recruiter decide this?

2. Are MSST and MSRT training considered C Schools? Are they available to non-rates as well?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

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Tim - CA to NJ!

No more guaranteed districts period...not 100% on the guaranteed rating with the DEP contract, but my guess would be n-o.

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MSSTs and MSRTs are units not "C" schools. They do not have nonrate billets.

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

- Mark Twain

Ok... Thanks gears!

So worry about basic training and A school before, then maybe get specified to an msst or msrt after is what I'll be doing :)

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Tim - CA to NJ!

Worry about Basic, getting to your first unit, getting fully qualified, and being eligible to put your name on an "A" school list. Depending on what school you go to, MSSTs and MSRTs MIGHT be on the list.

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

- Mark Twain

Currently there are zero guarantees.  No districts or guaranteed ratings, along with no cash bonuses.

Thanks cooch! Well I guess there goes the guaranteed ideas :( oh well.

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Tim - CA to NJ!

wait they aren't doing hometown district in contracts this year?

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Nope, no guarantees anymore.  It's not just for the year.  It will be this way as long as recruiting numbers are as low as they are.  There is no reason for the Coast Guard to offer any additional incentives to join.

Are there any females in the ME program?

There are many females that are ME's. In addition to that, there are many females in other ratings that are boarding team members and boarding officers.

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Based on reading all this blog am I to assume that there are different A-schools for MSST/PSU/MSRT or is it that after your done with A-school you can be sent to one of these units? Anyone in the know please clarify this for me. Also if we can place our name on different A-schools as someone mentioned what is the difference between them? Thanks