Not all of us were assimilated by the "Borg" to become ETs. I know of at least one that chose to retire with the FT moniker and use the vast majority of their experience gleened from the Coast Guard to open a bar.
I would've gone GM, but I doubt they would have had me. My plan to take a voluntary reduction in rate to E-3 and do a tour or two on an icebreaker failed when my chit got stompted on at PACAREA. I thought it was a good deal for the Coast Guard as there was a nonrate shortage and I still would've retired at the highest rate held.
Regardless, I must say that my entire experience with the Coast Guard with filled with good times and good people all along the way. As Neil Young says,
"One of these days
I'm gonna sit down and write a long letter
to all the good friends I've known. . .
And I'm gonna try
And thank them all for the good times together.
Though so apart we've grown."
Its a good thing God loves procrastinators. . .(if he didn't. . .why did he create tomorrow?)
