From when you first talked to the recruiter to when you recieved a ship date.

I started the process late March, or early April; I ship for Basic on 8/30. BM billet in Port Aransas, TX

Congrats. If you don't mind would you list how long each step took for you? I've been in the process since late april. I've taken the asvab and am waiting to go take a physical. Any input would be appreciated

I'll try to be a accurate as possible, so here goes.

1). Made initial contact with the recruiter in late March, and had my first meeting with the head recruiter on 3/31/10; decided that Reserve Enlisted was the best fit, and got the paperwork started
2). During April I gathered all background medical records (broken bones, etc) and waited to see if I was accepted for a physical from MEPS (I got all paperwork submitted by mid-April, and was approved for my physical shortly after that). I also worked on E-QIP security clearance information during this time
3). Took the ASVAB on 4/27/10 & had the physical at MEPS on 4/28/10; scored a 97 and was approved by the docs
4). With my scores in hand, met with the recruiters that same day and stated my desire to be a BM in the Corpus Christi, TX area
5). On 5/6/10 got word from the Recruiter that I had been approved/secured the BM position at the Small Boat Station in Port Aransas, TX...threw a party after that
6). On 5/12/10, I went back to MEPS and had my FBI fingerprinting done; on 5/13/10, I got my ship date of 8/31/10 confirmed
7). During the remainder of May I submitted any other paperwork they needed (wife's birth certificate, E-QIP signature page that I forgot, etc...)
8). I've done pretty much nothing in June, except stay in shape
9). Meeting with my recruiter next week to sign papers, stating my desire to join the Coast Guard
10). Oath of Enlistment in mid to late August; ship on 8/30, and basic starts the next day

Hopefully that helps breakdown the timeframe it took me to get where I am now; it got stressful at times when I was waiting for a billet, and ship date, but all in all, it's all fell into place pretty painlessly. Good luck, and feel free to ask me any other questions you may have. What are you going for? What area would you be stationed at?

Thanks for answering. That was some good info. I am trying for BM as well. If it works out I will be serving at a small boat station in Delaware. What did they tell you a weekend would consist of? Do you spend it on the water? Also, do you get to help out in search and rescue straight out of bootcamp or do you have to go to A school first? I don't mind helping out with boring stuff such as cleaning I just want to help SAR at some point or else I wouldn't sign up ya know? I don't know what ship date I will get because things seem to have bogged down a good bit.

We have friends that are cops and I have friends that are Coasties (obviously) you will find the general attitude is the same... 7.5 hours of total boredom with .5 an hour of shear adrenaline pumping terror/excitement. You will be involved in some SAR on a weekend and then there will be weekends where you will be lucky if you leave the tv lounge sort of thing. I think that's part of the amazing allure of the job, you just never know what the next duty rotation will hold in store.

I'm under the impression that most reservists go pretty quickly, if not immediately, to A school so there shouldn't be too much non-rate time at your station. But if there is, yes non-rates completely participate in SAR and almost every activity there is. So if you do have some of that in between time, you won't be bored or just pushing a broom, sanding a deck, painting a hull... you'll be doing other stuff too!

I was told that I will go to A School within my first year, or I'll get qualified on the job through the Striker program. There's not a spot initially available right after basic, so if I go to A School, it'll happen within my first year

Thanks Macie, that's exciting to hear

First went to recruiter in July 09
Asvab August 09
Meps October 09
Ship Date received March 2010
Depd in April 2010
Leave August 10th 2010

Hey Viking, are you going into the reserves? Just checking cuz from what I've read it doesn't take people that long to get into the reserves

naw hehe just wanted to add suspense bwahahah. A month to go, total boredom on my end here. active duty, just adding some JK to this post. sorry =[