For any Coast Guard Recruiters and all of the Coast Guard Reservists in this forum:

I may be considering a return to service as a reservist after a long break and am looking at all of my options. From what I have read on this forum and Coast Guard Reserve Website, here is what I understand if I want to join the Coast Guard Reserve. Please let me know if I am off base on any of this.

1. If there is a place for me here in the San Diego area and I meet all the entrance requirements, I would join through the Prior Service Program and then I would go and attend Prior Service REBI for 2 weeks.
2. If accepted, I would enter as an E-3 according to the GoCoastGuard Website, Prior Service Other Branch (Reserve).
3. I would then either attend “A” School or could “Strike” a rate. The following rates are part of the striker program BM, DC, EM, MK, SK, FS, and YN.
4. Then, as far as I can tell reservists in San Diego augment active duty units.

Now, I know that if I reenlisted in another branch of the military, I could keep my rank and possibly not have to go back to school, but from people I’ve talked to and reading through the posts in this forum, you people LOVE the Coast Guard. So, I’m giving it a look.

Here’s a little about me so that you know where I’m coming from: Served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1993-1999, Aviation Supply Clerk and Training Chief, Honorably Discharged in 2001, Staff Sergeant E-6. I started my career as a teacher in 1998, got married in 1999 and decided to focus on my family and new job. Fast forward to 2008, I’m 35, still happily married, 3 kids, stable career, and have earned 2 Masters Degrees. But something is missing, I have never regretted leaving the Marine Corps but I definitely miss it. As an elementary teacher, I just don’t experience that same “Esprit de Corps” or camaraderie that comes from being a part of the United States Military. So, I’ve been taking a look at what opportunities are available to me before I get to old to serve.

So, I’ve already got some ideas about what I’m going to do but would be curious to hear any input from those already serving. Feel free talk up the benefits of joining the Coast Guard or try to talk me out of it.

Thanks

Dan;
I wold suggest not even thinking about striking in the reserves.
What are your degrees in?

The purpose of the reserve force is NOT to augment the AD, but to train to be ready to be mobilized for contingency. Now sometimes, that training is accomplished well through augmentation, but that is just a by-product.

Good luck, and remember is would be Semper P, not Semper F!

Thanks for your input Master Chief!

Both of my graduate degrees are in Education (Curriculum and Instruction and Education Administration) At some point in my life I aspire to be a school principal. I also have a B.A. in Sociology.

From your comments I take it that trying to strike a rate would take forever as a reservist. Is striking a rate even an option for reservists?

Would you know where I could find a listing of reserve units in San Diego?

Oh, and I think I could probably pull off being Semper F and Semper P at the same time!

Based on your educational merit, would you consider the SRDC program? SRDC = Selective Reserve Direct Commission program. Basically (and I stress "basically"), you apply to be selected for an OCS class and subsequent appointment as a Reserve officer. Legal/JAG specialties are highly desired right now.
On the enlisted side, striking is a laborious process as a Reservist so I'd recommend the "A" school route for a rate that interests you in the Reserve.

Chief Kiser,
I have definitely been looking at the SRDC program and will bring that up when I get around to speaking with a recruiter. My plan is to make an appointment after this school year finishes up.

The only reason I had considered striking a rate is that as a teacher I have my summers off and could come in during that time to learn the job. When I was in the Marine Corps I would spend a good part of my summers coming in on ADSW orders.

Regardless of rank or rate, I'll just be happy to be back in even if it is in another branch of the service. But, I'm definitely liking what I am finding out about the Coast Guard.

I am not a recruiter, but from my experience there is no reason you should not enter as an RX candidate and be a PS3 or a PS2 since the reserves seem wide open for both. Your experience as a Marine with just Basic and SOI give you more training than PS "A" school ever will. I recommend talking to a recruiter that knows the reserve business, tell them your experience, and say you would like to come in as a E-5, under the RX program. They should be able to accomodate you. You would just have to do two weeks at REBI and you'd be good to go and if I was in SoCal, I'd be happy to have your experience and maturity on my team.

Being an SK is not a bad job, just not terribly exciting. There is no reason to go to "A" school for that since you should know more than the average SK3, and you would pick up the essentials quickly.

The PS rate is a jack of all trades rate. You can do boat ops, security, and law enforcement from that position and easily fit into a myriad of other jobs. There are lots of former USMC in that rate, and it will feel very comfortable for you. It is also wide open for advancement to E-6 and you could be E-6 within two years of enlistment. E-7 is tougher, but E-7 and CWO are both attainable within 5 years, but certainly no guarantees on that.

I am not sure about availability of jobs in SD, but LA has a PSU and they always have openings for experienced and mature PS types. LA/LB is a bit of a commute but there usually are other SD area residents who head up there once a month and the CG puts them up in a local hotel for the weekend. The PSU will feel like the Corps (USMC lite) and the LA/LB PSU does it's training at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune so it's right up your alley. Caution, they do deploy overseas (in the rear, on the pier, with the gear -- not in the middle of the big show), so expect to travel when in a PSU.

SRDC is for those that want to to be an officer, and being an O is good and bad -- you get more pay, but have to deal with alot more BS and you have fewer choices about the jobs and locations you work in. Much easier to be an E and you won't have to put in lots of hours after the drill weekend is over.

I recommend entering as a PS, and then applying for the SRDC later.

Openings in SD will come with time, and after 5 years in LA with a PSU you could certainly find a job in SD.

Good luck with tough choices.

CWO Polik,

Thanks for your perspective. You make a bunch of interesting points that got me thinking. I looked up PSU311 and you all look like the real deal. I would probably enjoy a lot of the training the PSU goes through. Any chance that a PSU will be created or assigned to San Diego?

I'll be curious about what the recruiter will have to say about where the needs are and how I can fit in. I think my first choice would be to stay in San Diego just because of distance but I could see driving up to LA/LB if there were some good opportunities up there.

Thanks again!

quote:

As an elementary teacher, I just don’t experience that same “Esprit de Corps” or camaraderie

I'm not sure you'll find a profound difference in aspects of conversation and camaderie between Coasties and fifth graders. A lot of it remains entrenched at the same scatalogical level, you know ...

The main difference I see is that rather than having to correct this time of behavior, I can join in.

quote:

Originally posted by SociallyAutistic:

quote:

As an elementary teacher, I just don’t experience that same “Esprit de Corps” or camaraderie

I'm not sure you'll find a profound difference in aspects of conversation and camaderie between Coasties and fifth graders. A lot of it remains entrenched at the same scatalogical level, you know ...

SSGTJarvis-
I would guess that the same things imlivid said about the PS rating are true for the SK rating as well. SKs seem to advance rather quickly and have a bunch of billets throughout the reserves. In fact, I did a quick check and there is an open SK billet at Imperial Beach right now. Talk to your recruiter and see if this would be a good match for you. As a prior service supply clerk you ought to be able to enter as an SK3 or SK2 through the RX program and apply for a commission through SRDC as an E-5.
Good luck!

Since you're already 35, I really don't think you need to spend more time enlisted if you want a commission. You need to hurry up if you want to go SRDC, you're pushing the cutoff age. The PSUs need people like yourself as junior officers instead of non-priors or Coasties with little interest in combat. The CG west coast Admiral in charge of Reserves is a major supporter of PSUs, so as an officer in one of these units you can get great access to resources. I'm sure if you sell the SRDC boards with your experience, education, and desire to join a PSU, they will have little reason to reject you.

SSGTJarvis, your first step is to contact your local recruiter to make sure you are even qualified to join.

There should be no shortage of Reserve billets to fill in the San Diego area. Since you've been out since 2001, that's a total of 7 years, the likelyhood of coming in as a PS Petty Officer is slim. I realize that every Marine is a rifleman first, but the Rating Force Master Chiefs typically don't look at someone that has been out of their field after 5 years. It's retraining time for that member. This would stand for trying for SK as well. The Rating Force Master Chiefs want people that have some handle as a Petty Officer to hit the ground at least at a gallop if not a dead run.

If you are qualified, you difinately have options, the SRDC is one of them, but your age is getting close to the cut.

Enlisted is an option as an E-3 with an A school, if you want to get back to some familiarity then you might want to consider PS A school, depending on the need in the SD area. If you have time, at least get the qualification process out of the way, yes that means the ASVAB and MEPS physical, then you can decide which route to take.

You are definately lucky being in the SD area, they will have Reserve billets, not every area/recruiting office can recruit alot of reserve.

CPO Kalbach, prior Navy/Army Guard

If you live in the San Diego are why would you ever want to drive to LA/LB at a PSU. There are plenty of open billets here at Sector, with a great units and a great command. We have VSST, Small Boat Station, FIST, Surface Engineering, and alot of other things can get into right in your own backyard without the stressful commute. Dont listen to everyone on here, you dont have to wait five years at a PSU to come here. The command is great and the officers and enlisted you work with here at Sector San Diego are among the best for taking care of their people. I was at PSU 311 for a bit. PM me and I will give you the scoop on it.

Chief Kalbach,
Thank you for your comments. It's good to hear that therer are plenty of Reserve billets in San Diego. That's really all I needed to hear. I'm really not to hung up on any specific rate. I'm willing to come in and fill what ever need there will be. And if I have to come in at E-3 then fine, I'll just be happy to have the opportunity to serve again.

I don't have any problems with attending an A school but I read about the option of striking a rate. I thought it sounded interesting but some of the other members of this forum suggested that it was not the easiest thing to do as a reservist. What are your thoughts?

I will be contacting a recruiter when we get off for summer break and then use my time off to go to MEPS and take the ASVAB.

I appreciate your time.

Phxrider,

My first choice is definitely San Diego out of convienence. I know that the drive to Long Beach can be a pain but my wife's family is up there, so I'm already used to it.

I'm glad to hear there are so many different types of reserve units in the area. That was probably the hardest information to find online.

I'd be interested to hear more about your experience in San Diego. I'll drop you a PM.

quote:

I don't have any problems with attending an A school but I read about the option of striking a rate. I thought it sounded interesting but some of the other members of this forum suggested that it was not the easiest thing to do as a reservist. What are your thoughts?

From what I understand since it is difficult for a SN/FN to strike a rating in the Coast Guard Reserve, most Force Optimization and Training Branch's (FOT) don't have the billets. I know when I was in Seattle there were no SN/FN billets we could fill, you'll have to ask the local recruiter for SD. I know where I'm at now doesn't either. It doesn't set the member up for success, because there isn't enough training time. It can be hard enough at times to keep boat crew and coxswain quals up to date, I remember that from my tour at a small boat station. CPO Kalbach

I can only imagine how long it would take to strike a rate when you're only training 1 weekend a month...

A man with all that training and experience, such as yourself, will not be happy as an E-3 in the CGR. I can picture the 19 year old E-4, with no life experiences, giving you $hit for not cleaning the head properly before leaving on Sunday.

quote:

Originally posted by SSGTJarvis:
I'm willing to come in and fill what ever need there will be. And if I have to come in at E-3 then fine, I'll just be happy to have the opportunity to serve again.

That's great you want to join, but I suggest you need to consider at this point in your life if you and your family could afford to live on E-3 or E-4 salary full time when you are mobilized. I'm assuming your current civilian job pays quite a bit more than an E-4, but who knows, maybe your school would pay the salary gap (or pay you their full salary) as other employers do for reservists.
You also need to weigh potential risks/consequences to your teaching career advancement under deployment/mobilization scenarios.