I'm going in USCG as a Reservist. Will REBI be my boot camp or do reservists and active duty go through the same boot camp? I haven't chosen my rate yet if that makes any difference.

Here are two questions/answers for you.

1) You will go to boot camp if you are not joining the reserves as part of the Direct Petty Officer program. To qualify you would need to have three years in a job that translates into a rating (ie firefighte/cop= PS, deckhand on a ship= BM, certified mechanic= MK, etc). If you are prior service is another qualifier.
Direct Petty Officer-If you have no prior service and are between the ages of 21 and 35 with a civilian skill relating to a Coast Guard job you may qualify. Members enlist into the Coast Guard Reserve as Petty Officers with immediate responsibility and increased pay.

2) If you don't qualify for the above, like recently graduated from high school, you go to bootcamp. Active and Reserve go through the same training.
Petty Officer Selectee Program-If you have no prior service and are between the ages of 17 and 30, you may qualify for this program. You will attend eight weeks of basic training at Cape May, NJ followed by Class 'A' School (advanced training). Class 'A' schools range in length from five weeks to five months depending on career field. Schooling is guaranteed before return to civilian life.

Reserve Recruiting

Don't forget about the Accelerated Petty Officer Program:

"Accelerated Petty Officer Program-If you are ready to learn an exciting new career field, have a desire to serve and are between the ages of 30-35 this may be the program for you. With a minimum of 2 years college (or equivalent) you will be eligible to enlist at a higher pay grade, attend just 2-weeks of Reserve Basic Indoctrination then advanced training in a critical field (Boatswain Mate, Machinery Technician, Operation Specialist or Marine Science Technician). Valuable training an opportunity to serve and immediate advancement are just a few of this program's many advantages."

They should NEVER allow non prior service to attend REBI. Two weeks for someone who doesn't have a military background just weakens their ability and puts them way behind the curve.

BTDT,
I disagree. Non priors who offer valuable skills from civilian life should go in as PO's through REBI. Keep in mind, REBI is for reservists, and the only non priors who USUALLY go through REBI are those with significant civilian experience. A civilian with 15 years of law enforcement experience is just as valuable to a port security unit as a 20 year old prior enlisted army yeoman who is straight out of high school and can go to REBI just because they spent two years in the national guard. If you let the latter in, you have no right to exclude the former based on what they both have to offer.

And I, as a graduate of REBI, disagree with you, Celerex.

And please tell me how a Security Guard can have such valuable experience that he can come in as a PS3. Right. Working in a Target store for loss prevention really translates to the PS rate. Or even better, a minimaly skilled "Sears repairman", (toaster level), comes out as a DC2! That civilian skill sure translates well.

I have seen too many people who come out of REBI with the "I'm a Cop/FF/etc" so I already know all about military life. Oh, what's this? How do I do that? Why is my uniform messed up? How do I look this up?
What's a muster? Hell, they can't even stand at attention properly! So what if you were/are a cop for 15 years. I doesn't mean you are the same as someone who went through Boot. Usually, the attitude is even worse, as they don't want to learn and pay the dues EVERYONE should.

Sending all nps through Boot ensures that they are on the same level as everyone else and know the basics. I'm sick and tired of having to reteach PO3 and PO2s how to think and act as leaders, when they suddenly are and can't do the job.

But I will continue as it's my job as an LPO to ensure that those junior to me are provided with the tools to do their job.

Heheh, easy there killer. You really get worked up. All joking around aside BTDT, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

You have gone through REBI and you serve with other REBI graduates, which is great. You are entitled to your opinion because of that. I went through ROCI, which is one extra week longer, and I supervise a combination of REBI and boot camp graduates. I think that entitles me to my opinions too, because I too get to see the differences in performance from an officer perspective.

In my opinion and experience, the majority of REBI graduates who are not prior service perform well once they go on to their reserve billets. This is not just a subjective view; as someone who has to evaluate enlisted people, I am actually rating the performance of REBI graduates along with their boot camp peers. Call me crazy, but it is more important to me that an enlisted petty officer under my command does his job well than whether he salutes properly, stands at attention the right way, or wears his uniform exactly according to the regs. Military discipline is important, but job performance is a lot more important. This isn't a democracy and everyone under me knows that, but they also know that I value performance first and foremost, and I am not a uniform nazi or a stickler for saluting the right way. I know you're a PO, BTDT, but if you ever do become an officer, you might find later that being laid back while setting a good example and instilling motivation in your people is a better way to get them to perform than insisting that they remove the lint and IPs from their ODU blouses or worrying about whether they've "paid their dues". If the officer corps was like that, 60% of CG officers would be screwed because the 40% that comes out of the CGA would have paid their dues for a few years longer than the rest of us.

The bottom line is that I judge a man based on how he does his job, not which method of training he went through or how polished his boots are. We have uniform inspections 1-2 times a year during all hands training. I expect my people to be prepared for that, and I also expect them to display the proper military discipline during circumstances that warrant it. And under most situations, they do all of the above and they do it pretty darn well, and I can't tell any difference at all between the ROCI and boot camp people. In situations where someone who is not prior service is coming in straight out of ROCI, I would encourage my PO's to help them out and point out any glaring problems because helping your shipmates is always more effective than *****ing and moaning about it and getting bitter and resentful that they haven't "paid their dues" and aren't coast guard studs like yourself.

You probably wouldn't like how I run things but I value REBI simply because it affords civilians who do NOT have the time to devote to 9 weeks of boot camp the opportunity to share their civilian experience in the Coast Guard. In my unit, there are people with civilian experience that are absolute assets to the CG in the truest form. You're right BTDT, a cop with 15 years of experience is not the same as someone who just came out of boot. Someone who just came out of boot is usually at least 10 years younger and less experienced. That person can probably salute better, but doesn't know nearly as much about the use of force continuum, doesn't have the weapons training or familiarization that a 15 year cop veteran would have, and doesn't have the real world law enforcement experience that his REBI peer has. In training and in the barracks, the boot camp guy would know more about squaring meals, hospital corners, saluting, and regs. In the REAL WORLD, at Gitmo or in the Gulf, or even off of Boston harbor, that 15 year veteran cop is going to know a hell of a lot more about interviewing, arresting, and detaining suspects than the kid straight out of boot camp will. You might not believe this BTDT but as someone who is in response/enforcement, I get the opportunity to see this phenomenon and it is a fact. I'd rather have that police veteran straight out of REBI watching my back when I do boardings than someone 2 years out of boot camp, any day of the week. I'm sorry you don't agree with it and that is your choice, but in my opinion, REBI is an invaluable source of citizen sailors (or shipmates or Coasties or whatever you want to call them) who have extremely beneficial experience. Is it perfect? No way. There will always be the sh(@bag reservists who cheat the system and shouldn't be NCOs, shouldn't even be in the military, and don't deserve to get in via REBI. But for what its worth, I see a lot more good than bad coming out of REBI, and given that many of these 15 year veterans can't afford to take 9 weeks off from their families or their jobs to go to boot camp, I'd rather than them with 2 weeks of training than none at all.

But then again, that's just me. I am "just a reservist" after all. If anyone else on here agrees or disagrees and has the guts to weigh in on this issue, by all means.

Thank you both for your responses. I would like to learn everything I can about this & differing points of view, believe it or not, really help. Anything to make me a better Coastie, I'm all for.

CeleretAudax - I sent you a message.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay/RebiSchool.htm CPO Kalbach

For every non prior service person going to ROCI and can say that they should of gone to bootcamp there is another that REBI was perfect for.
Now I have a hard time with non-prior service SDRC, how can you become an officer and know the Coast Guard after three weeks?

As a non prior ROCI graduate, I seem to be doing OK, MarineBM. What makes an officer is his/her leadership ability and motivation, not how long they've been in the CG. It's similar to your conclusion about REBI.

quote:

Originally posted by CeleretAudax:
As a non prior ROCI graduate, I seem to be doing OK, MarineBM. What makes an officer is his/her leadership ability and motivation, not how long they've been in the CG. It's similar to your conclusion about REBI.

Well until someone changes my mind, I'll stick to what I have delt with in the past.

Celerex,

I'm not a uniform nazi. I DO expect the enlisted to show the O's how to look, how to behave, and how to do their jobs. I've yet to see a "three week knife and fork school" grad know how to properly wear a uniform.

The reason you have an easy job is because the enlisted WORKFORCE are doing their jobs right. BTW, I've been the O route in another branch of service, so I do know what is required and how to lead...from the FRONT, not sitting in the back. A true leader is always leading, not sitting back. If you've done your job correctly, your troops can do the job without you, however you should be ready to step up to the plate and show that you can do the job and provide that leadership in a crisis.

We agree to disagree.

BTDT, bitterness from the Bay Area. I am sorry that you don't belong to a premier PSU (like I do) and that you wish you were a BM.

Ok, just kidding, well written BTDT. Saw Bill a few weeks ago, life is great on his polar, no work and all play.

BTDT,
I'm happy for you that you got your word in about how to lead. Do you feel better now? Everything you said is similar to what I already said, so you echoing it just makes me wonder why you have such a giant chip on your shoulder. Thanks for the lesson on how to lead, because you don't sound exactly like every single instructor at the Coast Guard Academy (tongue in cheek).

If you and MarineBM want to ***** and moan on here about "three week knife and fork school" go ahead but a more constructive way to approach this problem is to take charge and try to change things yourself. I sincerely doubt either of you will ever make admiral (no offense) but if SRDC grads perform worse on the first day on the job than any non prior OCS or academy grads, go through SRDC yourself and set a better example. Instead of complaining, go the O route in the CG and lead. It's real easy to sit around on the computer where there is anonymity but if you really want to have a constructive conversation about this, message me and I'll give you my name and phone number and you can even verify who I am in CGMS. Or you can give me yours and I'll call you. It's a small service and chances are (I'm hoping) we'll meet in person. Considering how many people read this board, I don't see how you're helping ANYONE by sitting around and complaining. And you are certainly not encouraging new people to join the service.

Marine,

HAHA! Glad to hear Bill's doing well. Probably got lost a few times! Come on down to the REAL PSU!

Celerex,

You are so full of yourself that to continue any type of discussion about REBI, which is NOT an O school, is pointless.

You probably do well leading from a cubicle, and that's where you should continue. Thank God I only have to salute the rank, not the person. You forgot that you have to EARN respect, not assume it.

Good luck with that.

BTDT,
is it just your style to insult and flame on websites and hide? I've messaged you and I'd love to talk to you on the phone and/or in person about this. It's easy to ***** and moan and complain and insult and make snide remarks when you are on a computer. The most amusing part is the assumptions you make here about others and the audacity you have to make accusations of things that you are also guilty of. The best word that comes to mind is hypocrite. If you knew how many people have messaged me thanking me for saying what I've said here, you probably would think twice about saying I'm the one who is full of myself.

Celeret,

I've just been on the phone with some AD O's, who support me on my position. It might interest you to know that the AD side is working on getting rid of ROCI for non prior service and requiring the attendance at OCS for 16 weeks.

It seems that the quality of ROCI grads getting done with 3 weeks of "training" and then going title 10 just doesn't cut it. Something along the lines of..."they don't know what they are doing and have no clue about the CG or military". As is shown when they show up at a unit and have no idea what they are supposed to do, JAG and Medical are the exception). Again, thank God for the Chiefs and LPOs!

Hmmm. Time to look into your own backyard, eh? BTW, I don't waste my time on personal emailings, if you want to continue it here, please do so, otherwise, we're done.

And, the anonimity of the internet allows PO's like me to address the failings of O's like you in public, without fear of retaliation. What's the matter? Don't like it? Then don't post on a forum that does not pertain to you. This was about REBI, which you don't qualify for and have never attended.

Oh, and just what do you do in the CG?

Remember, leadership by cubicle will never get you that promotion.

BTDT, we've both been unprofessional here. Like it or not, this is not a discussion for a public forum when it involves badmouthing. I've tried to take it to email or even the telephone but you prefer it here, so I will end this now. If you choose to continue name calling, please take it to email like a mature adult and a professional. Neither of us are representing the CG very well right now.

The powers that be are not trying to get rid of ROCI, they are trying to extend its length from 3 weeks to a longer amount. This is a verbatim quote from the OCS Chief, CDR John O'Connor, just recently. I support this idea, as do the majority of ROCI graduates. No one denies ROCI is too short. But good leaders can come out of ROCI and bad leaders can come out of OCS/CGA; it takes a lot more than schooling to make a man a leader, and making broad based assumptions and generalizations about ROCI graduates is inappropriate because of that. As I said before, if we ran things based on who has "put their time in" and "paid their dues", CGA grads would outrank everyone because 4 years is a lot longer than 17 weeks. You can't judge a person based on such things because there is a lot more to look at.

I am in response/enforcement in the CG and I am a police officer in my civilian career. FYI, I did qualify for REBI and I was going that route before I was picked up for SRDC. I will gladly tell you all about this if you wish to speak about it on the telephone, as I have personally messaged you now to discuss the possibility of talking on the telephone. If you don't believe what I'm saying, respond to my private message and we'll talk. Otherwise, let it go, killer. Just let it go and relax. Listen to some classical music, go have a beer, go for a run, do whatever you need to do to calm down. You don't know me so don't make broad based accusations that end up making us both look childish and immature. Thanks, and sorry to anyone who got a negative impression of the CG from this discussion.

I did not say they were getting rid of ROCI. I said they were looking at going the entire OCS route due to problems with ROCI not doing the job. A statement which you agree on.

I have worked with quite a few ROCI grads. They take about two years to finally figure out what they are supposed to be doing. It is unfair to set them loose after three weeks of "school", again, you agree on this.

You are just starting off, I have been doing this for quite a while. Perhaps you should relax a little and not be so easily upset over being questioned as a leader, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

I'm not worried about what others think when they read this forum, there is plenty for them out there to worry about. As a matter of fact, I feel my Coastie brothers and sisters out there are rolling on the floor laughing as they read this thread. If so, GREAT! That's what it's all about.(And from the off line feedback, they ARE enjoying it).

We are all entitled to our opinions, and as long as we don't violate the rules, it's all good.

This is not personal at all. Good luck on your career up there. We agree to disagree.
A retired cop sends.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BTDT,