Hello All, Does anyone have any experience/information on the Direct Commissioned Engineer (DCE) program. Here are my details: 1. B.S Electrical Engineering (3.0 GPA) 2. Active Security Clearance 3. 32 years old 4. Bilingual I know getting into OCS is really hard right now and I was wondering if its even worth talking to a recruiter about it.

If you're a professional lawyer, aviator, engineer, environmental specialist, a maritime academy graduate or former military officer, you can become an officer in the Coast Guard without attending OCS or boot camp.

The Direct Commission Engineer (DCE) Program provides engineers and technologists with leadership opportunities in program management; implementing systems that enable and support CG missions. Depending on specialty, selected applicants could be in charge of overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of Coast Guard vessels, merchant vessels or shore facilities; designing systems to prevent oil spills; maintaining aids to navigation; designing and maintaining electronics, communication systems, information systems and much more.

For information on Coast Guard Engineering, please download our information booklet (download Adobe Reader) detailing the various engineering disciplines and career paths.

For a look at the exciting projects Coast Guard Engineers are working on, please visit these links:
Deepwater
Rescue 21

For more information about the Coast Guard, please read the Coast Guard Overview.

After your initial tour serving in an Engineering or Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information Technology (C4IT), related billet, you will have the chance to serve a general duty tour to broaden your knowledge of the Coast Guard. This is the only service where such a tour is possible for an engineer.

Direct Commission Officer School
You will have the privilege of being a Coast Guard officer from the outset. No boot camp. DCEs are required to complete a 3-5 week resident course, depending on their past military experience. For completely new personnel, the 5-week course includes a rigorous military indoctrination period during which trainees will be expected to meet strict standards of conduct, uniform appearance and military bearing.

Rank As An Officer
Based on your experience in the degree field, education, officer standards and other criteria, selected applicants will either receive a reserve commission, or temporary commission as a Lieutenant, Lieutenant (junior grade) or Ensign.

Eligibility Requirements For Temporary Commission
Temporary regular commission is granted to those presently in the Coast Guard as an E-5 or above with at least four years active military service, two years of which must be active duty in the Coast Guard
Those applying for a temporary regular commission must hold a Baccalaureate Degree or higher from a college or university with an accredited engineering and/or information technology program in one of the academic degree fields listed below
Be between the ages of 21 and 40 (applicants must have reached their 21st birthday but not their 41st birthday as of 30 September of the fiscal year in which the panel convenes)
Selected applicants for temporary commissions should refer to the Personnel Manual, COMDINST M1000.6A for terms of service
Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
Pass a Coast Guard pre-commissioning physical
Be a U.S. Citizen
Be able to perform unrestricted service on a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week basis. Any person, who is a conscientious objector, whether or not so classified, is not eligible
Eligibility Requirements For Reserve Commission
All applicants not eligible for a temporary commission may be able to apply for a reserve commission
Those applying for a reserve commission must hold a Baccalaureate Degree or higher from a college or university with an accredited engineering and/or information technology program in one of the academic degree fields listed below
Be between the ages of 21 and 40 (applicants must have reached their 21st birthday but not their 41st birthday as of 30 September of the fiscal year in which the panel convenes)
Selected applicants terms of service for reserve commissions will receive a three-year extended active duty contract
Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
Pass a Coast Guard pre-commissioning physical
Be a U.S. citizen
Be able to perform unrestricted service on a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week basis. Any person, who is a conscientious objector, whether or not so classified, is not eligible
Eligible Academic Programs
All degrees must be accredited programs; course work intensive and technical in nature.

Qualifying Academic Degree Fileds:
DCE-C4IT Degree Fields:

Communications Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Command and Control
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Information Technology
Network Engineering
Software Engineering
Systems Engineering
Telecommunications Engineering
At least 50% of core engineering/information technology curriculum "must" be actual coursework, not converted work experience.

Management degrees with an engineering or technical concentration "will not" be considered.

Degree's not specifically listed under Qualifying Academic Degree Fields will be considered on a case by case basis. Send resumes and transcripts to CGRC for evaluation and approval before beginning the application process.
Additional Training
You will also have the opportunity to apply for full-time university graduate or post-graduate training. If accepted, the Coast Guard will pay all tuition expenses and salary while studying.

After the Program
For those who prefer not to remain on active duty after the initial three years, the leadership and work experience you will gain from working in program management and implementing systems that enable and support CG missions are highly regarded in the private sector. Info found here; http://uscgstage.nestor.fjordintera...n-programs

Thanks for info, but it looks like its just the information from the website. I was hpoing to hear from current candidates and/or recruiters about how hard it is to get in right now.

I'm not interested in OCS or DCE at the moment, but what I understand is that if you contact your local recruiter, set up a packet of information to begin the process, you wait for an interview process, and at that point it's all up to you and how well you communicate your skill sets and potential for being an officer in USCG.  It's a very competitive process, you have to wait to work with your recruiter, you have to wait to get your packet approved, you have to wait for your interview, you have to wait for the results of that, etc. - and considering the limited history you supplied about yourself in your original post, I'd say that in 'black and white' you have a pretty strong chance of being considered - I'd select you!

-Talk to a recruiter, Good Luck!

As a recruiter, The competition is very tough. I wanted to clarify the above because you mentioned OCS which is not part of the DCE program. Is it worth it? Depends, Do you want to come in as a DCE? If so then yes it is worth it! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. The competition for all CG officer programs is incredible. Talk to a recruiter ASAP as some deadlines (depending on program) are fast approaching. A 3.0 is approaching a competitive score. Depending on what else you bring to the table, it may be enough.

Thanks for all the feedback. I am not sure what else I could say besides the facts that 1. I am bilingual in Spanish (don't know how much of a plus that is) 2. I've spent the last 7 years designing satellite and avionics for military applications. I just want to serve and I don't really care if I go DCE or OCS, I just figured I was past the age limit for OCS.

Why wouldn't you apply? If you want to get in the program apply regardless of what the odds are. You don't have any chance of getting selected if you don't try.

Anyone know the recruiter for the San Diego area?

What are the odds of getting into the DCE program with a Civil Engineering B.S. degree? It's not specifically listed on the DCE page, and it says case by case for others. 

It is all needs of the service. Your recruiter will be able to best advise you. All officer programs are VERY competitive, with hundreds applying for a few positions. I wish you the best, now get with a recruiter!

The direct commission programs are a great way to get into the service. You receive a commission from the first day you enter the CG and go to a month of training vice going to OCS for 14 weeks and then getting your commission at the end. If you qualify give it a shot. The only thing you have to lose is a bit of time.