I have read everything I can find on both of these and still not quite sure what the difference is between a PSU and a MSST unit? If anyone is currently in the position or familiar enough with them to explain it would be greatly appreciated.  Please share any thoughts you have on one or the other as well. Thanks

I dont know nearly as much as the people with experience on this site but ill try to give you an answer from what i'VE HEARD SO FAR. If you not in PSU already you would probably be thinking about ME Maritime Enforcment since PSU is getting taken over by this new rating. ME's will be stationed on cutters, small boats, msst units, and maybe in some navy ships. MSST is more of a response special unit, where PSU is what it sounds like port security. However the new ME rating will be stationed in both these areas. PSU would be the ones making sure things are secure in the harbor if let's say the president came to ny, or they will even do security in Kuwait..MSST's training is a little more intense i saw them on youtube fast roping out of helicopters, kinda like swat teams... I going ME leaving for boot on 24th..

Typically, PSUs are manned by Reservists and MSSTs are manned by Active Duty.

Assuming as a reservist one does get the ME rating, is it possible to negotiate a contract for a specific unit such as either MSST or PSU or is it they place you where they want sort of scenario? Thanks all

It depends on what units are open. Most reservists that I know of are at Small Boat Stations, PSUs, or Sectors.

What is the difference between small boats staions and sectors.  I always thought a sector was the "like" a batalion, involving cutter, small boats, ect...  I am leaving for boot camp in a week so im still learning everything.

Sectors are CG bases. Usually a small boat station is attached, cutters may be attached depending on the Sector. Sectors provide support for operational units (i.e. small boats stations, MSSTs, cutters, air stations, etc.) Small Boat Stations are operational. They conduct the many mission of the USCG.

^^Thank you Gears... My recruiter said I will most likely be on a small boats station in New york, New York.. I could have chose Long Island where I live but figured there would be more things to do in a big city

Yeah, Long Island is so small and isolated, I could understand not wanting to stay there! HAHAHA I'm sorry Markem, I'm in a feisty mood this morning!! I was born and raised in NJ, about 40 miles out of Manhattan and when I married my Coastie we lived on an island... Kodiak Island in Alaska. Now that was isolating. I met a woman once on Governor's Island, when it was still a Coastie base. I remember we were waiting for the ferry to Manhattan (the main land LOL). She said it was very hard being stationed there because you were so isolated. If the wind carried the right way you could spit and hit the Twin Towers and she was going to tell me about isolation after I had just lived in Alaska for 5 years! I think I may have actually choked and laughed at her!

Oh I never said Long Island is isolated, lol It isn't but I figured there would be more to do in the Manhattan Ports especially because I am going for ME. 

WHat's wrongs with Long Island?? I'm from Long Island! lol :-)

Posted By Old Guard on 13 Aug 2010 08:53 AM
Yeah, Long Island is so small and isolated, I could understand not wanting to stay there!

Are you serious Macie?????????????

Sarcasm, what a concept...

Come on, Nick! You should know me better than that by now! LOL

Sorry, that was the "New York" attitude taking control before I read the rest of your post haha.

PSUs primarily deploy overseas in support of Navy Ops protecting the embarkation/debarkation of military equipment from USNS ships both waterside and landside. MSSTs are special response units that deployprimarily domestically in response to national incidents. All PSUs are made up of Reserve personnel with a cor fo six active duty members. Not all MSSTs have Reserve personnel assigned.

I thought Staten island would be busier than long island, but I knew nothing when I signed up.  Just finished boot camp so I still know nothing.  All I know is I:m going to be the "Bad Guy" for mock boarding drills on the weekends.  We have MSST New York but I think there all active duty, bc they get activated quite alot from what I hear.

Does Boston or NYC have reservist that are MSST?