I am new to the forum but have been following threads on here for quite some time now. Here is my story...I met with my recruiter last week for the first time looking to go into the reserves as a MST, he scheduled me to for my asvab test that day, I just took it yesterday and received a score of 71. Today I received a call to congratulate me on my score as well as tell me he was scheduling me for meps next week and that I needed to complete my e-qip. I was also told he has one slot for active duty available if i was interested...but.... he forgot I have 3 dependents ( My wife and 2 children.) I would love to go as active duty but had not really considered it an option. How hard is it to get a dependent waiver? I am 26, have very few bills only two vehicles...

 Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated, thank you in advance.

Your recruiter can put in for it and see what happens

When I joined last year I also needed a waiver because I was married and had 2 kids. It was the first time my recruiter had do a waiver for that. Luckily the waiver was accepted and I was able to enlist. That was in Feb of last year though and I hear it's a whole new world trying to get in now. I wish you the best of luck though!

Thanks, I have asked now I will wait and see. How long did the process take, and if you don't mind how has it been so far with the wife and kids as far as seeing them and being away? How do they like it?

The process was pretty quick. I can't remember if we found out the next day or if it took a few days, either way we found out pretty quick. Things in the CG have changed quite a bit so I have no idea how long it might take for you to find out.
So far it's been awesome with the wife and kids. I'm at an Airstation so I'm never underway like most of the SN/FN in the Coast Guard, which means I come home every night. The only time I've spent away from the family is when I went to get PRK done on my eyes last month at Travis AFB.
I've got a buddy that signed up and he is stationed on a 378 right now out on a multi-month patrol. He is married and I talk to his wife every so often and she seems to be OK with it. She wishes she could see him more often but she realizes this is what they signed up for.

I will say it is not easy finically with two kids. I haven't seen my wife or kids in 45 days and have another 15 before I fly home. I was given 2 days notice I was leaving. But I will say it makes the time together good

If you don't mind me asking what job or rate do you have and where were you stationed? Im only asking because this is a life changing decision for me and my family and I'm trying to get any feedback or others experiences I can before any firm decision is made, because as you know once your in your in.

In reality, just like all other branches of the Military, you can EXPECT to be deployed during your time in the Coast Guard, many times with very little notice. When emergencies occur and people or the environment requires help, the Coast Guard responds. Faster than any other Military or governmental agency. Hurricane Katrina is a good example. The Coast Guard was on-the-ground saving lives many days before even the National Guard arrived. All ratings (jobs) in the Coast Guard respond when emergencies occur. In this case, Southern left his wife and kids for deployment to the Gulf oil spill. He is stationed at Training Center Cape May. This is a big decision for you and your family to make. There will be times when you will not be home. Sometimes for several weeks. It's hard on the family, so it needs to be a joint family decision you make. The Coast Guard is a very tight knit service.The support you and your family will get from other Coast Guard families is totally awwsome....but...it's a personal choice that you need to ponder and make your own joint decision on what is right for your family. The rewards from a Coast Guard career are unlike any other, but the sacrifices you make are also substantial. Good luck with your decision.   -pepper-

Thank you for such an honest response. Yes this is something that we both understand is a real possibility, and we are both ok with it, because as you said the rewards from this career are unlike most. The waiting game is unbelievably stressful though...

Thanks pepper i have not been on much but i do get to leave the gulf today to head back which is a great filling.

Where he says with almost no notice is very correct. I was told 2 days before we left to come down here and 2 days before i was supposed to leave 30 days ago they extended me for 30

They'll be happy to see you back at the homestead, Southern! Be careful today & call to check about your flights. If you can bump yourself up earlier and get out of there. I heard on the news this morning Philly, Newark, Nwe York, Hartford, Boston, they are going to start shutting down late this afternoon. Good luck, stay safe!

i arrived in about 30 minutes late. if it wasnt for the out process and trying to find BSU new orleans i could of bumped my flight up. theyw here very happy to see me my oldest one gave me a hug and wouldnt let go

I can imagine how hapy they were to have you home!! Thirty minutes isn't bad at all. Welcome home and then off to school soon??? You know we all want updates on how it goes!

Welcome home southern...thanks for everything you did in the Gulf!

I will make sure everyone gets updates. I am just happy to be back. I just submitted my last travel claim and i really hope it is right. I still have a lot of catching up to do. I had to put in for an extension on my class so i will be starting on it this week to finish it up