I'm sure this has been asked a million times but I'm having trouble getting the search option to work. I understand that during basic you fill out a dreamsheet and list your top four districts. I'm wondering what the likely hood is that you will actually get one of these districts or is it very possible that you could get one that you didn't pick? What's the possibility of being stationed on a river or lake? I'm guessing it's pretty much wherever they need ya! Which is fine but I was curious and thought I'd ask.

Also, how long do you stay at your first station or cutter? How long do you have to live in the barracks? I have two small dogs and my parents will be watching them until I am able to live off base (I'm guessing you have to live in the barracks for the first couple of years... is that how it works?!) Sorry for all the questions.

Ask for the districts you're interested in, prepare to go someplace unexpected. There are no odds, it's a crap shoot.

The berthing situation is different for each unit. Some require you to live aboard until you're fully qualified, some allow you to move into barracks right away, some allow you to draw Basic Allowance for Housing. The length of time you're at your first unit depends on your wait time for "A" school.

Thanks Gears! I appreciate the help!

our new snbm just needs a checkride to be full qualified on our boat, but our boat is in drydock, so he has to live in the barracks for a couple more months. We aren't allowed to draw BAH here, they just move us to Bachelor Housing which is an apartment with one roommate, own rooms, a guy on my boat wanted to have his pets come down when he finished boot and its just a no go.

Another big hurdle was, who would take care of them if you are on a boat, or gone for 2 days at a time at a station?

Thanks for the info E. Between all of my family I'm sure I'll get it all figured out.
After your first unit, do you fill out another dream sheet for where you will go next? Are the odds just as great of being on a cutter as they were straight out of boot? As you gain seniority, do you have a better chance of getting stationed where you want or is it still a crapshoot? My parents will be taking care of them for the first 2 years for sure and after that I guess I'll play it by ear.

You fill out a dream sheet each time you transfer. The idea is the same the format and options are different. After you successfully complete a Striker Program or "A" School the units available to you will be determined by your rate.

The availability of units varies from rate to rate.

Thanks again Gears. I'm sure you guys get tired of all of these questions but I want you to know how much it's appreciated! Have a good night!

It does sometimes get tiring answering the same questions over but I have to say I'm glad we help people. I like the idea that young adults, trying to make a decision on joining, not joining, what to do, how to approach things... I like it that we touch people and make a difference. So ask away, we are here & we keep coming back because we enjoy it. Plus, I have learned a lot of things on this forum. I have literally been involved with the CG on some level for my entire adult life and there are still things I discover. So I can imagine how great this resource can be to someone that has no experience at all.

and it is very much appreciated Old Guard!! When i first started to get serious about joining the Coast Guard, i was exploding with questions and this forum helped me out ALOT! thank you

when you transfer you still have the dream sheet. Each unit has a "priority" and it gets confusing.

Don't try to pick a unit based on housing and/or time spent away from the pier.
You'll learn when you are in the fleet and transfer time is up on how to do your picks list and there is a roadshow that goes around and salty guys who have done it hundreds of times.

And ask away at questions. Nothing better than signing a 4 year commitment and not knowing anything about it