Hello gentleman. Was just curious about this deal I been working out. Recruiter says if I leave in DEC. my GM A School is garaunteed. However, if I chooce to leave in like a month and go to boot my name goes on the "list" until a opening comes up. So I would be un-rated for 6 months until my school? Im confused.
Which is the best route to go?

This all depends on you. Me personally, I feel everyone should do at least a year as a non-rate. This way you get a chance to one understand the position of the junior enlisted and two to make sure being a GM is really what you want. I am more than happy to welcome people to the GM field, however if you choose the guaranteed school and then decide this is not what you thought it was, it may take even longer to get you on track. So back to the top, this all depends on you.

First of all, do you know exactly what a Gunnersmate does? Its not just shooting and maintaining guns but there is much more to it. Not only are there small arms to maintain but you have the major weapons systems too, ie 76mm, 25mm, SRBOC ( Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff) and now the 57mm. You have the admin part, counting rds, requsitioning ammo, maintenance, logs, training etc. etc. etc. Too much to list. Your best bet, when you decide, is to go on a cutter (270ft or 378ft ship) and see all the rates and decide from there, if you still decide to go gunnersmate, well my hats off to you. But be sure the recruiter tells you exactly what each rate does. We get alot of students here in yorktown that see the USCG commercial and decide from there that they want a certain job and when they go through A school, its not what they thought it would be. Just a little advice from a Senior Chief Gunnersmate. Good Luck to You!

I am going to jump on the bus with hawgbass and jkkev and suggest you go to the fleet for six months to a year. I am not sure about a 270 but I know a 378 has most the rates in the CG. I went to one as a non-rate and a GM3. I want to go back as a 1st and chief to, but I am crazy I guess. You will have to live with whatever you decide, so I would do some more research before you decide. Best of luck.

....in any case, it's an ever changing Coast Guard. Some classes get a bunch of land billets (MSST's, stations, Sectors and such). Other classes get a fair amount of Cutters.
Be ready to do either! Be ready to be a Gunner's Mate first and foremost. If your sights are stictly set on being a Law Dog....you may face serious disappointments! When and if you decide to come to GM-A, come ready and motivated.
Best of luck in your future choices.
GMC Wilbert
Senior Instructor
GM-A School

Thank you very much for the information. I truly do appreciate it. My interest in the GM Field comes from a heavy interest in being a Gunsmith and weapons instructor. I researched jobs from the green berets, to air force police. To me, it just looked like the CG and Navy offer you the most with the GM Rating. I know its not all working on small arms, but working on sprinkler systems and really big guns takes alot of technical skill. I imagine you can't get any closer to a civilan Gunsmithing school. I could be wrong, but I thought it has to be a good base for a future gunsmith. I did civilain LE for a little while, so I think I got my law dog times on enough =)

I hope im on the right track. Im not a math or electronics master but im trying to learn as much as possible. I have really struggled with it for a while because PS Rate intrigues me as well due to my background in LE. Air Force SF got my attention too, but I don't think they get as much training in guns like the CG GM. GM School sounds very demanding, and mentally challenging, it intrigues me alot.

You have to be good at what you do, because your on a boat, they cant just get repair men in the middle of the ocean. This is what leads me to belive CG GM is the way to go for technical skill vs another service branch. Yea, I could have gone with some form of Armorer in Marines, Army, AF, etc but I think this may be the way to go. What do you guys think? If so, im going to study until my eye balls fall out because it would be honor to be a CG GM =)

If I sound confused or anything, please tell me. I have struggled with what branch/job for many months, and I think im nearing the big cheese in what im looking for.

As a cop my usual day off is:
1)to go to gun range
2)shoot a few hundreds hours
3)cleans guns for hours
4)read gun manual
5)read gun book
6) get yelled at by girlfriend

This was my usual off day as a cop when not doing pt. My point is, I don't know too many other cops who loved shooting and guns like I did. I always been fascinated by large naval guns too and any weapon system.

2)shoot a few hundreds hours

I meant a few hundred rounds! Sorry spell error.

....I find it kinda' poetic! Most of the youngsters that come through are trying to become cops after getting the L/E training in the CG. Now we have a cop who wants to come to the CG for some L/E training.
-Kinda' says something here, doesn't it.
"8446", it sounds like you may be taking the right approach here. Please consider all the possibilities here:
-where you could be stationed
-what sort of "GM" you start out as (Sector, MSST, Cutter, Training/Boot Camp, MSRT or anything else).
-what it is you really hope to get out of the CG

Also note...the girlfriend/wife never stops yelling! We just get used to it

When and if you decide to come work with us, we'll get you all fixed up at the School House in Yorktown.

Until then, best of luck with your decisions.

R/GMC

if you don't wear double hearing protection you might lose some hearing and that could help with the wife/girlfriend yelling...you just hear them anymore!!!

Thanks again for all the support guys. Im glad I might actually be on the right track (for once!) Thanks also for the poetic comment, I got a kick out of that.

Im going to try to find a tutor to bone me up on some good old mathematics. The electrical stuff is new to me, and I wish there was something I could study out there. Like a "Eletrical Theory for Dummies" book.

I am super excited though. Even though it will be some time before I actually get there, I don't mind. I am patient, one thing you learn in civilian LEO. The opportunity offered by your great service branch really sounds good to a guy like me.

Theres only two things I get excited about thats guns and fishing. Someone at the office mentioned to me that GMs are also responsible for all fishing tackle maintence and repair =)

I know its a joke, but as you can imagine I was smiling ear to ear.

By the way.. electricity is no longer taught at GM "A" school. That was when it was 11 weeks long, now it is 10 weeks long and no longer done. Electricity is just gone over very briefly.


GM3

quote:

..I find it kinda' poetic! Most of the youngsters that come through are trying to become cops after getting the L/E training in the CG. Now we have a cop who wants to come to the CG for some L/E training.
-Kinda' says something here, doesn't it.

Teachguns,

I was never a Coastie (Army) and I'm 3.5 years away from retiring from my career in law enforcement. After seeing what you guys do on cutters and how the GM school is run (my son graduated from there this year), I'd enlist in the CG in a minute! However, I don't believe you guys take old cops that still think they are 21 in their mind!

Sir, first off, I'm gonna have to say thanks for the compliment. WE work VERY hard there at the School House to give the fleet/field/tax payer the BEST Gunner's Mate's/Petty Officer's that we can. I have a SUPER group of folks working there with me and we take great pride in what we do. I hope you find your son to be a product of our hard work (and his).
Congrats on the approach to retirement.
You never know where a spot might come open for an ol' gum shoe!

Best Regards,
GMC Wilbert
Senior Instructor
GM-A School

quote:

Originally posted by rdamb:
if you don't wear double hearing protection you might lose some hearing and that could help with the wife/girlfriend yelling...you just hear them anymore!!!

Best quote EVER! I went shooting and one of my buds was not in well enough. When my GF wanted to start an arguement later, I sat on the proper side of the couch so she sounded like charlie brown's parents. "yes honey, no honey, sorry honey" and it was done. . . still don't know what i did wrong to this day :-)

On a serious note, GM rate sounds like putting me, an enthusiast to say the least, in a military cache and given free reign.. Thanks for all the info. Teach: Mind if i send you a message if i have any questions?

Sure.