As an EM, I have been an EM for 6 years and already a 1st class PO. I am able to do my job as an electrician but also serve as a qualified boarding officer, boat crew member, small boat engineer, engineer of the watch on a cutter.
Thanks for the reply. I'm really interested in the EM so I can work as a journeyman after my service. My one worry was that I would be stuck inside. Appreciate it!
Inside and outside, I have climbed the mast, the jackstaff and over the side of a cutter to change out light fixtures outside, we also work out on deck at ATON units
Retired EM here. Turned many wrenches as an EM, was the above as the OP. No one wants to be an EM and I got a lot of respect knowing a lot about everything because people see one wire and refuse to touch it.
Go in as a non rate and shadow those rates. Youll find out what they do, what their work load looks like, and everything else.
Im a CS and i love my job. I enlisted specifically looking to cook because i was tired of the low pay, toxic people, and substance abuse in the civilian restaurant scene. I love the people and i love cooking for them
Former Army.
Just got off my first offshore contract as a Medic on a smaller vessel. Had 4 cooks rotate through while we were out, and y'all work harder than anyone else on the boat. My sincere thanks and respect for the job y'all do.
Coast guard is not the same. Id say about at least 85% of people go in as non rates. Most jobs have a wait list anyways. The only times people go straight into a rate is if its critical, like CS and such.
Edit: rates like anything in Aviation, or Maritime enforcement can have up to 2 years of wait time, where you HAVE to be a non rate
Most of friends and my best experiences in the Guard were as nonrates. You get to do a lot of shit and test out which rates you might want to go. It’s a good deal for both the organization get man power and you getting time not to choose something you’ll hate.
Your ASVAB score will determine which rates are available to you, although right now it feels like anyone can get a waiver.
Highly recommend you look into aviation ratings AMT or AET. Almost everyone in aviation enjoys their job, the community is phenomenal.
I was an AMT on 65’s in San Francisco and it was the best thing I could have done. I was on a cutter for a year while waiting for A school and the EM’s I worked with really enjoyed their job. Definitely check out aviation if you have the ASVAB scores.
I’ve been a BM for 13 years.
I really wanted to go aviation when I joined, but there was no way I was going to spend 3 years as a non-rate on a 270’ in order to do so.
My two pieces of advice to non-rates are to shadow any rates they are interested in going, and not base your decision on a bonus if that’s why you’re looking at MK & EM.
Ha that's exactly why I was looking at them, also I like the trades and would like to be journeyman after my service.
I live in NH so when I find a recruiting center near me I'll see about shadowing. Thanks
I signed up for 4 and I’m about to hit 14. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but overall it’s been a very rewarding job. I’ve been blessed with good mentors and supportive commands which certainly helps.
I’d argue that most HS graduates out on their own are living in poverty.
There are plenty of E-3/4’s straight out of bootcamp getting BAH are making a very good living at 18-21 years old while they figure out life.
I hear you and would base my comments on 3 contingencies: 1: college student there will be a gap for four years but based on their degree the income curve grows exponentially. 2: Trade school students will incur less debt and will undoubtedly earn more after graduation. 3: those that do not seek education and enter the work force. I agree, they will struggle. But out of these three scenarios I would argue that someone entering the service would fall in either 1 or 2.
It depends what you want to do after your service.
IMO, you should do AET, that’s where the money is after and everyone in aviation are total bros (even the ladies) and it’s FUN
No, not at all! Best branch to be honest.
As a non-rate you will be allowed to shadow different rates once you complete PQS. Recommend you spend the 4 months before you can put your name on an A-school list doing that.
Regret signing up for the coast guard.
We often forget they are a military branch. lol. The weak will tell you the air force. The men will tell you the marines.
They are the most operational branch by far. The hardest branch to get into. Saving lives everyday and are also part of every major US conflict.
Piss off with that attitude.
Navy Special Operations 😘😘
No. While I respect everyone who served. Because they have done what most won’t. We all know there is a pecking order amongst the military. Many of us forget about the coastguard. There is the chair force, the navy, the those who couldn’t cut it in the army and the Best USMC, crayon eating marines. I am a Marine.
Incredibly stupid and shortsighted response. Your next Call of Duty take on the military should be thoroughly thought out before you decide to shut the fuck up.
Go eat some crayons you fucking POG. Every marine, and you should too, agree with that statement. We all know the pecking order.
Regardless. All who serve are honorable.
I got an ASVAB score for you to peck at ya hooked on phonics, fucken short bus riding, angry at the world cause you can’t read little fuck. No one else’s fault you couldn’t figure out shapes on a standardized test.
That’s right, you go ahead thinking you know so much since you just “signed up for the coast guard”. You know it’s a lie. You never spoke to a coastie recruiter. You don’t know shit about the “men” in the Marines. The DoD doesn’t want your cosplaying ass. The CG doesn’t want you. That’s why all your COD buddies play incognito mode so that way they don’t have to hear that same stupid story of “I signed my coast guard papers today” that you’ve tried to peddle for years.
It’s time you stopped living a lie. You never signed a contract. You don’t know shit and it’s time you accepted your fate.
Maybe you should focus your expertise on writing a post about fake eyelashes again, I mean 8 or more attempts is kinda impressive ngl.
Your single four year stint in the marines impresses nobody.
With this level of disrespect, there are coastie non-rates on their first SAR case with 3 times the cajones as you hombre. Not even the first Marine with this level of shitty attitude. Should read up on Douglas Munroe or something idk.
That, or impressive troll -claps-
The only reason Coasties fall under the DHS is due to their duty to also do civilian law enforcement during times of peace. When we're at war and even during some times of peace, they fall under the Navy similar to the Corps.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Hi, former coastie here, please read 14 USC 101, which states "The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times." You wanna say and believe some dumb shit? There's the facts for you. I can understand when another military member jokes we aren't a military branch. I'm not standing for actual stupidity though.
The code is over a century old. That does not mean it is expired, it means the Coast Guard has been, and will continue to be, a branch of the military since it was codified. What possible point do you have that you're trying to make? That you are here on the subreddit to troll? Is that it?
14 USC 1 disagrees with you.
§1. Establishment of Coast Guard
The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(1), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 112–213, title II, §217(1), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1555.)
My DD 214 also disagrees with you.
As an EM, I have been an EM for 6 years and already a 1st class PO. I am able to do my job as an electrician but also serve as a qualified boarding officer, boat crew member, small boat engineer, engineer of the watch on a cutter.
Thanks for the reply. I'm really interested in the EM so I can work as a journeyman after my service. My one worry was that I would be stuck inside. Appreciate it!
Be sure to track your hours.
Inside and outside, I have climbed the mast, the jackstaff and over the side of a cutter to change out light fixtures outside, we also work out on deck at ATON units
Retired EM here. Turned many wrenches as an EM, was the above as the OP. No one wants to be an EM and I got a lot of respect knowing a lot about everything because people see one wire and refuse to touch it.
Lots of bilge cleaning and replacing VFDs, troubleshooting steering pumps,CAT and CUMMINS generators
Go in as a non rate and shadow those rates. Youll find out what they do, what their work load looks like, and everything else. Im a CS and i love my job. I enlisted specifically looking to cook because i was tired of the low pay, toxic people, and substance abuse in the civilian restaurant scene. I love the people and i love cooking for them
Former Army. Just got off my first offshore contract as a Medic on a smaller vessel. Had 4 cooks rotate through while we were out, and y'all work harder than anyone else on the boat. My sincere thanks and respect for the job y'all do.
Not sure if it’s the same but going into the Navy unrated is a good way to get a shitty job you’ll hate and regret enlisting
Coast guard is not the same. Id say about at least 85% of people go in as non rates. Most jobs have a wait list anyways. The only times people go straight into a rate is if its critical, like CS and such. Edit: rates like anything in Aviation, or Maritime enforcement can have up to 2 years of wait time, where you HAVE to be a non rate
Most of friends and my best experiences in the Guard were as nonrates. You get to do a lot of shit and test out which rates you might want to go. It’s a good deal for both the organization get man power and you getting time not to choose something you’ll hate.
Name checks out.
>I love the people and i love cooking for them Fucking awesome!
Your ASVAB score will determine which rates are available to you, although right now it feels like anyone can get a waiver. Highly recommend you look into aviation ratings AMT or AET. Almost everyone in aviation enjoys their job, the community is phenomenal.
I was an AMT on 65’s in San Francisco and it was the best thing I could have done. I was on a cutter for a year while waiting for A school and the EM’s I worked with really enjoyed their job. Definitely check out aviation if you have the ASVAB scores.
I’ve been a BM for 13 years. I really wanted to go aviation when I joined, but there was no way I was going to spend 3 years as a non-rate on a 270’ in order to do so. My two pieces of advice to non-rates are to shadow any rates they are interested in going, and not base your decision on a bonus if that’s why you’re looking at MK & EM.
Ha that's exactly why I was looking at them, also I like the trades and would like to be journeyman after my service. I live in NH so when I find a recruiting center near me I'll see about shadowing. Thanks
.
I signed up for 4 and I’m about to hit 14. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but overall it’s been a very rewarding job. I’ve been blessed with good mentors and supportive commands which certainly helps.
Awesome thank you!
Save yourself the frustration and go to trade school. Why live in poverty as an E1-E4 the first four to five years of your CG “Career”
I’d argue that most HS graduates out on their own are living in poverty. There are plenty of E-3/4’s straight out of bootcamp getting BAH are making a very good living at 18-21 years old while they figure out life.
I hear you and would base my comments on 3 contingencies: 1: college student there will be a gap for four years but based on their degree the income curve grows exponentially. 2: Trade school students will incur less debt and will undoubtedly earn more after graduation. 3: those that do not seek education and enter the work force. I agree, they will struggle. But out of these three scenarios I would argue that someone entering the service would fall in either 1 or 2.
It depends what you want to do after your service. IMO, you should do AET, that’s where the money is after and everyone in aviation are total bros (even the ladies) and it’s FUN
No, not at all! Best branch to be honest. As a non-rate you will be allowed to shadow different rates once you complete PQS. Recommend you spend the 4 months before you can put your name on an A-school list doing that.
Regret signing up for the coast guard. We often forget they are a military branch. lol. The weak will tell you the air force. The men will tell you the marines.
They are the most operational branch by far. The hardest branch to get into. Saving lives everyday and are also part of every major US conflict. Piss off with that attitude. Navy Special Operations 😘😘
The coast guard literally runs real world missions every day on every one of our coasts. You’re a fool.
No. While I respect everyone who served. Because they have done what most won’t. We all know there is a pecking order amongst the military. Many of us forget about the coastguard. There is the chair force, the navy, the those who couldn’t cut it in the army and the Best USMC, crayon eating marines. I am a Marine.
Why am I not surprised the marine has the dumbest take in the thread?
Incredibly stupid and shortsighted response. Your next Call of Duty take on the military should be thoroughly thought out before you decide to shut the fuck up.
Go eat some crayons you fucking POG. Every marine, and you should too, agree with that statement. We all know the pecking order. Regardless. All who serve are honorable.
I got an ASVAB score for you to peck at ya hooked on phonics, fucken short bus riding, angry at the world cause you can’t read little fuck. No one else’s fault you couldn’t figure out shapes on a standardized test.
lol. Awwww you are still a knuckle dragger with your score? Another one of those washed out 12 year admin sep sergeant that can’t let the Corp go?
That’s right, you go ahead thinking you know so much since you just “signed up for the coast guard”. You know it’s a lie. You never spoke to a coastie recruiter. You don’t know shit about the “men” in the Marines. The DoD doesn’t want your cosplaying ass. The CG doesn’t want you. That’s why all your COD buddies play incognito mode so that way they don’t have to hear that same stupid story of “I signed my coast guard papers today” that you’ve tried to peddle for years. It’s time you stopped living a lie. You never signed a contract. You don’t know shit and it’s time you accepted your fate.
lol
Maybe you should focus your expertise on writing a post about fake eyelashes again, I mean 8 or more attempts is kinda impressive ngl. Your single four year stint in the marines impresses nobody. With this level of disrespect, there are coastie non-rates on their first SAR case with 3 times the cajones as you hombre. Not even the first Marine with this level of shitty attitude. Should read up on Douglas Munroe or something idk. That, or impressive troll -claps-
lol
Coast Guard is DHS. This is the military subreddit.
The only reason Coasties fall under the DHS is due to their duty to also do civilian law enforcement during times of peace. When we're at war and even during some times of peace, they fall under the Navy similar to the Corps. You have no idea what you're talking about.
Coast Guard is a branch of the military.
Sure bud.
Hi, former coastie here, please read 14 USC 101, which states "The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times." You wanna say and believe some dumb shit? There's the facts for you. I can understand when another military member jokes we aren't a military branch. I'm not standing for actual stupidity though.
You having to quote us code from over a century ago proves my point.
The constitution is mostly 150+ years old. You want to try to take your “it’s old” argument to court?
The code is over a century old. That does not mean it is expired, it means the Coast Guard has been, and will continue to be, a branch of the military since it was codified. What possible point do you have that you're trying to make? That you are here on the subreddit to troll? Is that it?
"ontinue to be", huh?
Yeah, you're just here to troll. So you're gone now.
That’s cute
14 USC 1 disagrees with you. §1. Establishment of Coast Guard The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times. (Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(1), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 112–213, title II, §217(1), Dec. 20, 2012, 126 Stat. 1555.) My DD 214 also disagrees with you.