Join the Coast Guard?

[Lethe]

Hello.

I have become disillusioned with sitting at a desk all day staring at a monitor. I couldn't take it anymore, and even though it was a "good" job, I had to leave.

Anyways.....I need some excitement and adventure. Money isn't everything.

It seems like out of all the organizations involved with Katrina, the Coast Guard were the only people who actually knew what was going on, and did a great job of saving people. I never heard one bad thing said about the CG on any of the coverage.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the CG, and any advice on whether to join up or not?

[Heidi]

1. Why not go to work for the International Red Cross, or

Mercy Ships, or something like that? Welcome to DU, by the way! :hi:

[Lethe]

9. i didnt know about the Mercy Ships....

that looks interesting, i may look into that.

[MrScorpio]

2. Go for it

Do the shortest enlistment, who knows if you'll like it.

I was in the USAF, but the CG looks like a good deal.

More chances to help people, instead of blowing them the fuck up in an immoral war

[jobycom]

3. I tried to go to the CG academy out of high school

I didn't get accepted.

There are a lot of opportunities. They do coastal patrol, which is sometimes search and rescue, sometimes recovery, often drug interdiction and immigration/refugee patrol. Things like harbor patrol, too.

It's not as commonly known, but they can become an active branch of the military during war. They can become a branch of the Navy, in which case they can be assigned to escort ships and fleets, and can see fire. They also defend the coast from attack.

So it's not just a job, it's a military way of life.

That's what I remember, from twenty years ago. Some of it may be wrong by now, so don't take my word.

[flordehinojos]

4. do they get sent to wars?

stay out of it in any bush administration.

[Robeson]

5. Bush has sent the National Guard to Iraq. Without a draft, how do you...

...know they want start sending some in the Coast Guard over next. As the recruitment dries up, they'll start pulling from everywhere.

[Lethe]

6. the CG is already in Iraq

the CG does Port Security for the Navy. They are in the middle east right now guarding the navy ships and ports.

[Robeson]

7. Then there you go....

...already there.

[Lethe]

8. yeah but its not like they are walkin the streets of bagdad

the majority of the CG is at home doing search and rescue, etc

[Robeson]

10. How do you know they eventually want?....

...Bush is the Commander in Chief. He can pull troops from anywhere. Do you trust him? If we need more troops, and recruitment remains low, how do you know he want? They are going to want bodies in uniform. If America doesn't want a draft, they'll milk the military dry. Do you trust this administration not to?