Hello all,

I would like to introduce myself, as this is my first post here. A friend of mine who is a Coastie told me about this website, as well a recruiter here in L.A.

My name is Don and I am considering joining the USCG as a reservist. It's nice to have this resource of so much information with both those on active duty, as well as veterans, where I have been browsing posts for nearly a month now and have found useful information, in addition to laughing at some of the humor here.

Anyway, I have seen a recruiter here in the Los Angeles area and I have the scoop on what I need to do. I am sort of at a cutoff, as I am 37 years of age and will turn 38 this year. Also, I weigh 242 lbs, though, I have come down since being 265 lbs. I know what I need to do about this in order to even be considered as a candidate to join, so I am working on that daily. With it being written everywhere on military.com and other websites about basic training and what to expect, a headstart on being in much better shape is the only way.

I have seen various posts here, which have possibly hinted that recruiters have misrepresented themselves to those interested in joining. I surely hope this is not the case, where the office who I am dealing with has been honest and upfront about everything - From my weight and what I need to do about it, to the reality and fact that those in PS have been deployed to the ME (Middle East), to what is realistically available to me, in order to serve in the USCG.

My recruiter has stated that nothing can be done for me in the enlistment process, and being sent to MEPS for a physical until I reach my maximum weight, based on my frame, so that is first line of business. I have about 40 lbs to go, which will take time. We discussed the SRDC option and I took the ASVAB last Friday, where I scored a 61 AFQT with a VE of 56 and AR of 50. I am a bit concerned with my scores and being below the average (according to a recent post here that I saw), though, I see that some jobs (considering there are openings in my area) would be available to me, based on such scores. I know that this is below the average, and like anybody else, I have my strengths and weaknesses, where hardcore math has always been a weakness for me, and I am not interested in many technical jobs. According to my recruiter, one needs a 109 VE+AR in order to be considered for SRDC. I know a can retake this test, but first, I would like further information from any of you willing to discuss it, in what you can tell me about life as an officer. I have been told that life as an officer is much more political in their positions.

Also, as somebody entering in as a reservist at my age, are there opportunities to go from reservist to active duty?

Lastly, does the CG need those with prowess in foreign languages? Based on my background, PS was introduced to me as an option right away, though, my interests in serving are either with IS or YN.

Thank you in advance, and your replies would be much appreciated.

Don

don it was interesting to read your post because i too am struggling with some of the same problems. one is my weight. two is my asvab score which was 61 AFQT and VE 52 AR 51. i was trying to go for the SRDC as well but fell short on the 109 mark. im not a great test taker but very dedicated when it comes to getting something done so i feel your pain. I am struggling with the descision of either retaking the asvab and risk getting an even lower score or just settling with what i have and make the best out of it. good luck with what you decise to do. i just found it unique to read your post, it was like i was reading about myself.

quote:

Originally posted by ojhendrix:
don it was interesting to read your post because i too am struggling with some of the same problems. one is my weight. two is my asvab score which was 61 AFQT and VE 52 AR 51. i was trying to go for the SRDC as well but fell short on the 109 mark. im not a great test taker but very dedicated when it comes to getting something done so i feel your pain. I am struggling with the descision of either retaking the asvab and risk getting an even lower score or just settling with what i have and make the best out of it. good luck with what you decise to do. i just found it unique to read your post, it was like i was reading about myself.

Hi OJ,

I read some of your posts and it surely does sound like we are in the same boat to some extent. We have interesting similarities, that's for sure.

Indeed, I heard and read that one could retake the ASVAB test again after 30 days, but of course, they use your most recent score(s), as opposed to your best score. I took the GRE in 2002 twice, based on my issues with higher math, where at the time I was applying for graduate school at USC and University of Puget Sound. So an advisor told me, testers usually do better when they retake tests, and it worked for me and both schools accepted me, though, I did not attend, due to a change of life events and passings in my family, where I chose to tend to my family members needs while they were ill. I know what you mean about not being the best test taker, where we all have our strengths and weakenesses. You can surely try again, though. My best friend since childhood, who is a math teacher, tutored me throughout college to get the math requirements done, and he also tutored me for this test and the GRE a long time ago. I just don't get higher math for some reason, where it's said to be a different part of the brain, and I am more verbal (as you can see LOL!). Either way, I would encourage you to retake the ASVAB if you are interested in the SRDC program. It was suggested to me as well. I am still not sure about it and I am not looking to go into this for money or status. I have heard that the lives of officers tend to be more political and I would like to hear more about it here from others. I feel that I would relate to the enlisted types better, as I was told they are the ones actually doing what needs to get done with tasks, following chain of command from the top, of course. This is not to discredit officers and their role, though.

Either way, maybe restudy areas that you did not do as well as you needed to. You are very close to the 109 mark, as I am, though, I guess a final panel makes a decision on SRDC. We are older and trying to get into this. These people who have served have the understanding of how it works and such, where maybe we are done with our formal education, but they also have valuable knowledge of what they do and have put it to practice, which is really cool and worthy in my eyes, especially while serving our nation. As far as retesting, the answers can help you by process of elimination. Usually, your first choice is the right choice, so I have heard, and if you change an answer, it tends to be a mistake. Also, make sure you eat something and have comfortable clothes on while you test. Taking a test with hunger or being too hot or cold can surely affect your performance. As far as weight goes, it must be worked on. I cannot do anything until I get down about 40 lbs, based on my height and frame. I also quit smoking in March, so that is a challenge to assist my breathing while I jog or do any sort of cardio. Naturally, smoking and working out do not mix. You have to have a plan and follow it religiously with diet and exercise, and currently, I am losing 2 lbs during any given week. Stew Smith has Q&A all over military.com and you can read so much about his plans and such. It is full of helpful advice. I have just been hydrating more often and eating less at one time, eating litely usually 5X/day, trying to eat extremely litely in the evening and little or no carbs in the evening. If you will cheat (and we all do), it's best to just do it a tiny bit and savor the taste of some ice cream or a Snickers bar, for example, even a few chips. Do it as a reward to yourself after being good say the whole week. I own and operate a restaurant, so it's not easy being around food all the time. We specialize in a great deal of Italian food, so it's a carb addict's dream or nightmare, however you want to look at it. All of this can be done, though. A big part of it is mental and you have to set realistic goals, where it will not happen overnight. When I quit smoking, I jumped 10 lbs, so now I am coming down again. If you can't do it on your own, maybe find a partner to exercise with. My time in exercise is preferred all alone, with as few distractions as possible, where it's a time to get really serious about my health and to also relieve stress after a day of pain in the a$$ customers, being ticked off for not having enough business during this recession, and to simply let go of the day right there and leave these thoughts until the next day and try to do it better. By all means, do not starve yourself, though. Just eat litely, and the more healthy things the better. It will work. You will feel better, and if you smoke, you will get to a point where you ask yourself why you have smoked all these years and what has it helped you to achieve. At least this is how it has been for me.

One last word about tests. I don't fully believe that they are a complete predictor of success, but I guess the ASVAB will serve as some baseline of what one can offer the military with any of various job possibilities. However, people can be all booksmart, but also not able to put their knowledge to practice. I have worked a lot in the past in the field of special education and have seen a lot of this, as well as in a State Hospital, which houses mentally disordered offenders, and at a Juvenile Hall as well. Some had little tact and would yell at clients, where neither Juvenile Hall or State Hospital is supposed to be punishment and their role was surely not to play miltary-like in their approach. Some could know a lot about protocol on paper, but to diffuse an argument and avoid being sucked into it, separate those involved and stay calm, they could not, for example.

Have a good night and best of everything to you, too.

I'm thinking your best shot may be at one of the other services that is less selective. It's great you want to join the CG, but to be honest it is a competitive process to join. If you want to go in SRDC or even enlisted as a non-prior, you have to have a few aces in your hand. Foreign language competency is a good one!
The ASVAB is not the GRE or even the SAT. It tests basic competency and not advanced subject matter. Lengthy explanations of your weaknesses may be fine in the civilian world but will really not impress military types.
Best of luck in your career pursuits!

"Lengthy explanations of your weaknesses may be fine in the civilian world but will really not impress military types."

lbceater, while it was a pretty long post, in his defense i dont think he was trying to impress anyone although it was pretty long i sat here and read it because so far from my experience, there just arent too many people around here considering joining the coast guard that you can talk to. i know there are alot of people trying to get in dont get me wrong, its just hard to run into someone locally that is also in the same boat your in due to the size of the coast guard im guessing. hell the recruiters are even hard to get in contact with because they are so busy covering more area than your typical DOD recruiter would. Im not complaining, i just wanted to point out that sometimes these message boards are all that prospective coasties have. we look up to you guys for advice and direction not to turn us away to another branch. in any event i do like your honesty and appreciate your advice!

DonnyBee i hope you do decided to join the coast guard. i have never been in the coast guard or military but i would love to work with someone that is dedicated about meeting a goal as you are. Im sure thats the type of heart they are looking for.

I am currently waiting to see if I was accepted into the SRDC program 02-08. From everything I have heard it is very selective, also I think the majority of the people selected for SRDC have prior service. As a former ARMY reserve soldier (7 years) enlisted, you benefit from attending the 'full' training. The SRDC is a program designed for those who have the basic military training and can ‘fast-pace’ that part and work on specific CG information and officer training. After looking at many of the forums, it seems that almost everyone (except for one female that I found) had extensive prior service (those I saw accepted into the SRDC). Not sure if it is where I was looking or that is the rule of thumb.

I am currently waiting and a little nervous about getting in and I have the prior service, overseas experience supporting the Army, a Master's Degree, meet all physical requirements easily, ASVAB of 90 and a combo in the math/English in the 120s. I am still nervous and was told out of the 300 or so that apply only about 30 are selected. Basically, I have set myself up to not get in... nothing is guaranteed. I defiantly think it is a combination of many things that they look for, not just scores or your civilian life.

Serving your country, in any form, is the idea and should be one of your driving forces. Don't think that the CG is the only way to go. There are many jobs, many avenues and all of them do the same thing in a sense - to serve. I loved Basic Training and the ARMY and only because I wanted a change is why I am switching. There were quite a few older people in my Basic Training Company (one female at 34) and this was pre 9/11. Today they are taking many people in their 30s. Look at what each Branch can offer you, what jobs they have available, and if you want to be a reserve or an active duty soldier. Currently, they are offering a lot of money for those willing to sign up as an enlisted soldier in some of the other branches and as an enlisted soldier you will receive money for school and loan repayment. I earned my Masters completely free - a $16,000 education that I didn't have to pay a cent for, and even received extra money to go to school, that was a nice bonus.

My advice, do your research, these forums are great, but ask around, try and meet people in your town that serve, get their opinions.

Best of luck and serving has always been a reward in itself – I am proud to be part of the military, any way I can!

LBC,

Thank you for your advice. We have all got to try if we want to try. Some of us talk and some of us do. Obviously, you and others here who joined did and do serve, and that is what I want be about.

Like I said, I am not sure about SRDC, where of course, I am off with my ASVAB score, anyway, but can always retake that test.

I know what I need to work on and my descriptions are to serve as what I am, as it's surely not as perfect as God Himself. I really like to assess and know both my strengths and weaknesses, as well as where I can improve, while doing self-inventory. Anyway, I am not here to impress.

OJ,

Thank you for your support, despite your 10-20 being so far away.

You are correct to say that what you say about recruiters being difficult to contact and all. Yes, these message boards are all we have if this is the case, as we do look up to those who are here, especially those offering advice.

I look forward to serving with those passionate about their roles in an important position, whatever it may be - Yourself included.

16532490,

Thank you for your post with all its advice. May you reach your aspiration and have this work out to your favor.

Goodnight, all.

quote:

Originally posted by 16532490:
I am still nervous and was told out of the 300 or so that apply only about 30 are selected. Basically, I have set myself up to not get in... nothing is guaranteed.

These stats may be deceptive, it could mean that out of 300 that start an application only 30 actually are chosen to SRDC. Many applicants will be cut by medical examinations and background investigations, not SRDC selection boards. Other applicants may just decide to do something else.

This rumor implies that junior reserve officer billets are easily filled, which from everything I've seen out here on the west coast is NOT true. I think more qualified people should apply for SRDC, prior service or not. The opportunities are there for the right people.
It would be a good idea for applicants to contact their local unit and talk to some of the reservists. Your recruiter may not be able to set it up for you, but you can take some initiative and arrange it yourself. Semper P!