Hi all. Talking to a recruiter about the possibility of getting intel in the USCGR since the USAFR obviously rather lose a reservist then let them crosstrain I am about 73 credit hours into an intel degree and need to get me some experience to go with it. I live in the Tampa Bay area, I know there is USCG over in Pinellas County, was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on anything, basically how you like the USCG reserves....and a few other things.

Do you have to billet on drill weekends or can you go back home at night?

Can you split your annual tour up or do you have to do it all at once?

Quality of life in the USCG Reserves?

Do you tend to actually train when you come in or do you end up doing details for AD?

Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by PD3rdACR:
Hi all. Talking to a recruiter about the possibility of getting intel in the USCGR since the USAFR obviously rather lose a reservist then let them crosstrain I am about 73 credit hours into an intel degree and need to get me some experience to go with it. I live in the Tampa Bay area, I know there is USCG over in Pinellas County, was wondering if anyone can give me some insight on anything, basically how you like the USCG reserves....and a few other things.

Do you have to billet on drill weekends or can you go back home at night?

Can you split your annual tour up or do you have to do it all at once?

Quality of life in the USCG Reserves?

Do you tend to actually train when you come in or do you end up doing details for AD?

Thanks in advance.

Are you anticipating coming in as an officer, or enlisted?

Thank you sir for the reply. Enlisted so far, not sure what the requirements for officer are yet in reserves. Haven't gotten to talk to recruiter in depth yet. I won't have my B.A. anytime soon, just 78 credit hours.

None of you Coasties want to talk up/down your branch? Come on guys, tell me how the USCG Reserve life is

I came over from the Army (NG and Reserves) in 2001. Best choice I ever made. I did five months at PACAREA Intelligence in 2006 and enjoyed my time there but I really can't speak to the IS rating as I was not one and at that time there was no intel specific rating.
To answer your questions:
1. You can go home at night assuming your duty hours are not at night AND that your billet is located within commuting distance from your home. For instance, I drill 1,500 miles from my home.
2. Many reservists do non-consecutive days of ADT. Depends on the circumstances.
3. Exceptional compared to Army. Can't speak to AF myself.
4. Depends on your unit/assignment, etc. I always have done my job but again I can't say what you'd be doing as a reservist.

Maybe you should post this on the IS forum for better insights. Good luck!

Awesome input, thanks alot. I was PS active Army myself so good to get your perspective.

I'm former Army, three years Active, three Reserve as an MP.

With that said, I have more years on AD with the CG Reserve than I had AD in the Army. Mostly Title 10 (with two tours overseas), but really, no complaints about the CGR at all, or I wouldn't still be doing it after 23 years.

Can't really tell you what ISs do, don't really know.

I have a friend who lateraled to IS from IV; they kicked him up to E-8 with no testing, SWE, or anything.

I'll ask him for you, maybe he'll have a clue by now...

Had a pre-screener call me today, asked me some questions including tattoos that can be seen with a polo on, lol. Well I do have two that say yes to that. What is the USGC policy for tatts? None below my wrists or on my neck. In the other services as long as they cannot be seen in your dress uniform you are good to go.

Here's the policy: CG Tattoo Policy

Here's a four-page discussion on the CG Tattoo Policy: Tattoo Discussion

And, last but not least, here is the recent ALCOAST updating a few things in the CG Tattoo Policy: ALCOAST 505/09

Enjoy!

Thank you so much. I apologize for not searching first, usually I do so

Looks like I'm good to go.

quote:

Originally posted by PD3rdACR:
Had a pre-screener call me today, asked me some questions including tattoos that can be seen with a polo on, lol. Well I do have two that say yes to that. What is the USGC policy for tatts? None below my wrists or on my neck. In the other services as long as they cannot be seen in your dress uniform you are good to go.

Maybe he should give Jerry's links to the person that called him, since there is absoloutely NOTHING in the Tattoo Policy that would suggest to anyone to refer to what can be seen in a Polo shirt.