So I was accepted to the CG Academy Scholars program after which I hope to attend the academy then begin my 5 years. Anyways, I would like to be a helo pilot and was wondering what the add'l service commitment was on top of my 5? Any one able to enlighten me on the processes? And are commitments breakable? Meaning, early release out of, say a 10 year to a 8-9 year? I would love to be a Police Officer as well. Thats why I ask. Im trying to have my cake and eat it too!! =)

Simply put, MAN UP! If you are over 18, do not sign an agreement unless you are 100% committed to follow through with it. If you are even considering, well before signing, of option to break a commitment, then man up and do not make it.

Do a little research on the CG Core Values, then crack open a dictionary, before you go further.

It sounds to me like you need to decide what you want to be when you grow up. If you want to be a police officer than take the appropriate classes, get a degree, and apply to a police force. If you want to be a helicopter pilot than pursue that. You won't be both.

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Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:
It sounds to me like you need to decide what you want to be when you grow up. If you want to be a police officer than take the appropriate classes, get a degree, and apply to a police force. If you want to be a helicopter pilot than pursue that. You won't be both.

Unless you go to a college that offers flight training and a criminal justice degree. When you graduate with Degree and commercial helo pilot license go apply to a sheriff department that has an aviation helo unit.

I would suggest that you skip going to the Coast Guard Academy and go right into politics! I mean your already looking for a way to get out of a commitment that you will have to sign. You are definitly not what we need in the Coast Guard or anyother service. You would probably excel in being a politician. They know also in advance that they are going to lie to the public.

Ok, first off, if you dont want to answer my simple question, why post? Second, It was from a Coastie that I heard the CG was open to commitment changes and that they are sometimes open to change if it is for a good reason.So obviously im on here becasuse I dont know any of this and that is the reason I asked. So maybe less hostility and more informing. Just an idea. Thanks.

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And are commitments breakable?

That's the statement right there that got folks fired up. Most do not look kindly upon those that are already seeking ways to break a committment before they even make that committment.

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When you graduate with Degree and commercial helo pilot license go apply to a sheriff department that has an aviation helo unit.

Joe, I can't speak for all areas of the country, but the couple city and Sheriff Dep't pilots I've spoken to here are strictly flying. They are police officers, but never get involved in the same duties as their earth bound counterparts.

Ricky:

Reading between the lines, it appears you want to get the CG to pay for your helo pilot training, and then you want to bail on the CG and become a police officer, preferably as a pilot for them?

If you decide to go the CG route, the CG is going to spend thousands of $$$ to train you to become a CG Officer. The CG will be primarily concerned with your CG commitment, not with what career you want afterwards.

Why not join a police department and have them foot the bill for you to fly? You and I both know getting somebody else to pay for your helo pilot's license will make you more marketable at the PD (years ago the Illinois State Police actually had several lists of applicants they would hire off of, one of which were folks that had specialized skills such as licensed pilots).

Just a little FYI, you have to make it out of the CG Academy first, spend some time in the CG, then throw your hat in the pool of other candidates to learn how to fly. The CG Academy does not teach people how to fly. I don't think I have ever seen an Ensign on a list of aviator candidates; they are mostly LTJGs and LTs.

And I'm sure there will be an additional commitment for you once you complete the training. Someone else in the know chime in here for me.

Think about - putting in 10 years in the CG, you're already half way to a retirement. Do you really want to throw that away on a chance to become a Police Officer, having to start all over again, trying to get hired, then having to make it through the Police Academy, then through the Probationary period, working the streets, etc.? You'll have to find a department that actually has a helo program, and then probably have to wait in line for one of the pilots already there to retire to get his or her spot.

Do your homework, son. Think this through.

Just a little constructive criticism.

BTW, if you click on the blue user names of each post, you can get a feel for the posters who have given you replies. There is a wealth of CG knowledge on these boards.

Welcome to the Forums!

Jerry G

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Originally posted by 14265174:
Ok, first off, if you dont want to answer my simple question, why post? Second, It was from a Coastie that I heard the CG was open to commitment changes and that they are sometimes open to change if it is for a good reason.So obviously im on here becasuse I dont know any of this and that is the reason I asked. So maybe less hostility and more informing. Just an idea. Thanks.

To answer your question.....what you are asking for is a waiver to your obligated service. Anyone can ask for waiver to CG policy. Sometimes you get one, sometimes you don't. To try and get a release for your service obligation would be difficult at best. There are people who would like to have the opportunity to do what you're attempting...that is go to the Academy and be a pilot. If you did what you're trying to do (bail out early) you would be taking a golden opportunity from someone else who would like to make the CG a career and be a pilot. That in it's self is not the right thing to do. Also, to get into aviation you would need to pass a Flt Physical. If you can't pass that, you're aviation dreams are over and you're still service obligated for you're Academy time.

If you come in and complete your service obligations, you have every right to get out afterward....I think you would be crazy though. Don't try to get slick and cut corners on you're service obligation though.

Have you thought about the Army's Warrant Officer Flight Training (WOFT) program? It's only a six year commitment after flight school (which is never, ever waived), and instead of 4 years at the CG Academy, you only need to do 6 weeks at Ft. Rucker.