Also I have never been in the service and have no knowledge of how it works. Could someone explain to me the difference between a PSU Boat and a Navy SWCC or RIVRON Unit? From seeing pics and videos it just looks like the jobs would be similiar. Is the training even remotely similiar? Would these groups ever work together? Im very interested. I am having a tough time picking between the USMC and USCG reserves. I have a little civilian LE experience also.
Also I have never been in the service and have no knowledge of how it works. Could someone explain to me the difference between a PSU Boat and a Navy SWCC or RIVRON Unit? From seeing pics and videos it just looks like the jobs would be similiar. Is the training even remotely similiar? Would these groups ever work together? Im very interested. I am having a tough time picking between the USMC and USCG reserves. I have a little civilian LE experience also.
lawman, you want to know exactly what is available to you in your area? Contact you local recruiter, they will tell you what units are available and have jobs/billets to fill. You may even get a tour of the units(ask nice) That way you can make an even more informed decision. CPO Kalbach
PSU's conduct anti-terrorism/force protection. SWCCs are guys that drive boats that insert SEAL teams on covert type missions. RIVRON units patrol rivers. Check these websites out. SWCC RIVRON PSU PSUs are Coast Guard, RIVRON and SWCC are Navy. PSUs are a good unit but it all depends on what you want to do.
Hey guys thanks for the great info. I do appreciate it. I have spoken to a couple recruiters, and I still feel pretty vauge. Like "you'll get to shoot all kinds of weapons". Yes, thats wonderful. I just wish there were a little more details. It seems like the CG isn't hurting for people like the Army/Marines. This makes it a little trickier trying to get info upfront. Marine corps tells you up front what your gonna be shooting, how far, mout training, etc. I just want to know what im getting into before I take the plunge. I don't want to sign and get into my rate specific school, only to find out this wasn't what I wanted.
MarineBM, thank for those pages, they were excellent help. Atleast gives me a vauge notion of whats going on.
I know theres alot of info that shouldn't be given out due to national security, but I also think they should shed a little more light on the PSU job. It makes it very challenging if your interested in going out for it because you have no clue what exactly you'll be doing.
Also, are there females allowed in PSU units? I have heard yes, they are. From watching videos however, I don't think i've actually seen any. It dosn't make a difference to me either way. I will say CG Bootcamp recruits look a little older and smarter then recruits from the other services! I like that =)
Well I guess im done ranting. I like the Coast Guard! Thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunetly, closest recruiter is like 250 miles away. Im gonna up up there and if its not the cats meow, im just gonna go USMC.
Maybe he will tell me what I want to hear. As a former civlian LEO I got bored and under-whelmed by police work. Mostly transient and shop lifting calls. It was nothing like what I expected. I want to learn weapon systems, shoot, get PTed to death, and go over seas if I have to. Something, anything, PLEASE with a LITTLE motivation =)
Thanks again guys!
my email is: gangreene16984@yahoo.com If theres anything you'd like to comment on.
Originally posted by lawman966: Hey guys thanks for the great info. I do appreciate it. I have spoken to a couple recruiters, and I still feel pretty vauge. Like "you'll get to shoot all kinds of weapons". Yes, thats wonderful. I just wish there were a little more details. It seems like the CG isn't hurting for people like the Army/Marines. This makes it a little trickier trying to get info upfront. Marine corps tells you up front what your gonna be shooting, how far, mout training, etc. I just want to know what im getting into before I take the plunge. I don't want to sign and get into my rate specific school, only to find out this wasn't what I wanted.
You need to also understand that a PSU has multiple ratings assigned to it (PS, BM, MK, GM, SK, YN, ET, DC, and more), and CG recruiters sometimes have more applications than open billets, so they tend to be more picky than Army or Marine recruiters.
MarineBM, thank for those pages, they were excellent help. Atleast gives me a vauge notion of whats going on.
I know theres alot of info that shouldn't be given out due to national security, but I also think they should shed a little more light on the PSU job. It makes it very challenging if your interested in going out for it because you have no clue what exactly you'll be doing.
You're going to be protecting foreign ports, usually with US and/or friendly assets at that port. Or you could find yourself patrolling off the coast of Gitmo.
Also, are there females allowed in PSU units? I have heard yes, they are. From watching videos however, I don't think i've actually seen any. It dosn't make a difference to me either way. I will say CG Bootcamp recruits look a little older and smarter then recruits from the other services! I like that =)
Females have been in both PSU's I have deployed overseas with.
Well I guess im done ranting. I like the Coast Guard! Thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunetly, closest recruiter is like 250 miles away. Im gonna up up there and if its not the cats meow, im just gonna go USMC.
Maybe he will tell me what I want to hear. As a former civlian LEO I got bored and under-whelmed by police work. Mostly transient and shop lifting calls. It was nothing like what I expected. I want to learn weapon systems, shoot, get PTed to death, and go over seas if I have to. Something, anything, PLEASE with a LITTLE motivation =)
Thanks again guys!
my email is: gangreene16984@yahoo.com If theres anything you'd like to comment on.
If you choose the USMC then all Reservists and AD poolees go through bootcamp--no exceptions.
As a Reservist your recruiter will find billets in your area and write one into the contract; not always true for AD folks. I believe this is SOP for all branch Reserve components. Recruiters feel free to clarify my comment for accuracy.
If you choose the USCG you have different accession routes available: bootcamp, REBI, ROCI, OCS, Dir. Comm.
Not all USCG recruiters can work with Reservists (clarified on other threads here). The USMC uses OSO's for officer recruitment vs. enlisted recruiters.
Looks like others on this thread clarified the PSU role pretty thoroughly.
Lawman, End all questioning, go to the recruiter and tell him/her you want to be a BM in a PSU! I have over 34 years in, in my second PSU and have been a Tactical Coxswain since 1999. Currently in Camp Lejune attending Tactical Coxswain School to knock some serious rust off and loving life. What we do is relevant, challenging, professionally rewarding, and fun. Go for it. BMCS, PSU 301
If given a choice follow Arctic's advice. Stay away from Sectors unless you can get into a Response dept. but even that's not a guarantee. If you want "high speed and low drag" then PSUs may be the answer.
Whats a Sector? I really like the PSU Units. However, I would love the GM Rate. I enjoy working on / maintaining firearms. Did a little of it as a civilian, and would love to take it up another notch. I guess we will have to see if I am worthy
I can say this. After checking it out in person, my mind has drifted over to Active Duty. Me and my family belive it may be more what im looking for.
My biggest problem is the electric parts on the ASVAB. I can go find Math tutors, but a Electrical tutor? Thats gonna be tough to find.
Choices and more choices! Pick your rate, pick your fate right?
Lawman, A Sector is a type of Coast Guard unit. Covers a large geographical area and is responsible for most CG missions in that area. They usually have command of several stations, smaller cutters and a number of departments and divisions that perform all manner of being a Coastie. If you are interested in LE, a Sector's Security Boarding Team would be good. Now that you ar leaning towards active duty, get a good ASVAB prep book at the bookstore and study. Pick the rating that will be the most fun for you while you are in the CG, whether for four years or 34 years. I chose BM; I chose it because I wanted to hang out on boats, do search & rescue and LE while earning the GI bill. If you like weapons, GM is awesome, and would still give you a chance to get into operational LE. Plus there are several reserve GM billets in every PSU. Chose carefully, you are the one who lives with the answer. Good luck.
RATING is your enlisted "job" in the CG. The Army calls them Military Occupational Specialities. GM, PS, YN, and SK are examples of ratings.
RATE is your enlisted "rank" in the CG. Examples are PO3, PO1, CPO, MCPO.
Enlisted personnel have rates and ratings, and are advanced; officers have ranks and specialties and are promoted; and everybody has a paygrade - but there is no E-10, only an E-9 with special pay.
Now I just have to figure out if I want to go in DEC. and have my A School Garunteed. OR leave in the next couple months for boot and get my name put on the "list" for A School. Im confused again. Its one choice after another, but im enjoying it.
446, Be patient and go for what you want for the long run. Don't take shortcuts or accept anything less than what you can live with over a long career.
thank you sir. To me it sounds like the same either way. I can enlist in a couple months go to basic, and get my name put on the list. Or I can wait until dec, go to boot, and go to the school. Isn't it the same either way? I just don't understand the difference if I go to my A school anyway.
There is a difference if you are married. Maybe even if you are single. It has to do with the housing allowance. If you are on active duty for a period more than 139 days in a row, you get BAH for the entire period if you are married. If you go to boot, wait, then go to A school I don't think you do. Ask your recruiter, then post his/her response here. If you are single, I don't know what the answer is.
That way you can make an even more informed decision. CPO Kalbach
