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Originally posted by ynnhoj:
I apologize in advance for the length I know this post is likely going to turn out to be. I have several questions regarding many aspects of the reserve program, many of which I felt were not completely answered during my recent visit with a recruiter. Any help you can provide would be enormously helpful.


1. DEPLOYMENT - Being that I am 31 years old and have a family, deployment is not something I look forward to (whereas when I was single and somewhat younger, I probably would have welcomed such an opportunity). Some specific questions, as they pertain to my current age and life situation, are as follows:

a) How long do deployments typically last? I realize that there probably isn't any concrete answer to this question, but insofar as your own experiences go, what seems to be the norm? The recruiter I met with explained that there exists a vast difference between deployment in the CG than in other branches of the military. Based on what I was told by him, deployments usually last for a couple of weeks. Is this truly the case, or just him doing his job and creating the most alluring picture possible?

A: You're right, there is no concrete answer. I was 31 years old with a wife and two kids when I deployed to Saudi Arabia for six months. Needs of the service. I then deployed to Haiti for about a month and a half in '94, and for a couple of weeks to Baton Rouge/New Orleans just after Katrina hit. Each deployment was different and unique.

Are you more worried about "deployment" over "call-ups"? Call-ups can occur much more frequently than deployments. 9-11-01 was a major call-up. I spent over a year on Active Duty at the local command without deploying anywhere other than New London for a two-week course.

b) Over the course of a six-year commitment (not including the two-year inactive status), how many times should I expect to be deployed? Again, the recruiter I spoke with stated that deployment rarely happens over an entire career with the CG reserves. Is this actually the case? Or, are deployments actually quite common? And lastly, if so, what exactly would you consider to be common?

A: With almost 22 years in, I've been deployed three times. Call-up wise, I have more time on Active Duty with the CG Reserve than I had while in the Active Army. Call-ups have been more frequent. Needs of the service.

c) To where can a reservist be deployed? Again using my conversation with my recruiter as a starting point, I was led to understand that deployment to the Middle East is part of a special assignment for enlisted CG only (I believe the acronym for the program was D.O.G.), and that those individuals volunteered for this duty. True or not true? And, with regard to other points of deployment, are reserves ever sent to areas outside the continental U.S.?

A: The DOG is a group of units, both Active Duty and Reserve, who may deploy frequently. MSST's, MSRT's, PSU's, the Strike Teams, go where they are needed. There are officers in the DOG units, not just enlisted.

There are cutters patrolling the Middle East. In the solicitation messages I've read, a majority of the folks over there volunteered to go fill an open position (billet). I don't know if that occurred with the initial deployment; those folks may have been "selected and directed". That happens, too.

And yes, Reservists have been deployed overseas. Saudi, Kuwait, Yemen, Haiti, Cuba, to name a few.

d) Are certain jobs more likely to deploy? On the CG reserve website, it explicitly states that Port Security is a position that typically involves deployment to areas around the U.S. and overseas. However, this is the only position for which such a statement is made. Should I assume, then, that all other positions have a lesser chance of deployment (and, more specifically, deployment outside of the U.S.)? Or, are the chances more or less equal for all positions?

A: A unit like a PSU is made up of multiple ratings. BM, MK, GM, PS, HS, YN, SK, FS, DC, EM, ET, the list goes on. They all deploy as a unit. Most are Reservists with a few Active Duty types assigned.

The Coast Guard is a military service, subject to recall and deployment. Our unofficial motto is "Semper Gumby - Always Flexible".

2. BEING AN OFFICER

a) Are Officers ever directly involved with law enforcement? Based on what I was told by my recruiter, and also based on what I gleaned from some earlier posts written on this forum, the Officer position appears to be more adminstrative in nature. Does this mean that Officers are never directly involved with ship boarding and other law enforcement activities?

b) Where are you stationed? I understand that the concept behind all reserve positions is to allow an individual to still be able to conduct their civilian life and, as such, positions are taken within a close proximity to home. While this may be the concept -- or, the theory, if you will -- is this how it plays out in practice? Or, if you graduate from the academy (and whatever C school you may subsequently attend) and there are not any needs for Officers in your 100-mile radius, do you get sent somewhere where a need does exist?

c) Are you more apt to be deployed? As an Officer, are your chances of deployment greater or less than non-Officer, enlisted reserves?

d) What are the pros and cons? Aside from such tangible and researchable factors as pay, what are the costs and benefits of joining the reserves as an Officer? And, in your own experience, was this a decision you were happy you made? Or for those of you who are not Officers, are you happy that you instead opted for a different position with the reserves?

A: I can't speak for CGA, OCS, SRDC, or ROCI Officers. I am a Chief Warrant Officer, having ascended from the enlisted ranks. All I can say is, it's been a fast 22 years (28 counting my Army years), and when I leave, I'll miss it. 'nuff said.

3. SPECIFIC JOB INFORMATION - I have interest in a number of enlisted reserve positions, but only have a brochure description of each. What I was hoping to get are unfiltered, real life descriptions and opinions on some of them.

a) Port Security

b) Intelligence Specialist

c) Boatswain's Mate

d) Marine Science Technician

e) Public Affairs Specialist

A: If you want frank, candid insight into the ratings you're listed above, read through the various rating discussion boards below this one. You should gain keen wisdom into the lives and jobs of the Coasties who participate in these discussion boards. Rating Descriptions


As you can probably tell, many of my surface-level questions were answered during my recent visit with a recruiter, but what I felt was still missing was the spin-free information. I have a great deal of interest in joining the CG reserve, but I need to know -- beyond a shadow of a doubt -- that it is the right move for me at this stage of my life. I realize that I've asked many questions. Please know that I am extremely grateful for any help you can provide in answering at least some of them.

Thank you again.

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Thank you very much for your feedback. As you can probably tell, I'm trying to make an informed decision on whether or not the CGR is right for me. While some of you may have already arrived at your own conclusions, I still have yet to. The purpose of posting on this forum was to get spin-free feedback. I

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Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
Ask the recuiter for a blank copy of an enlistment contract. Actually, here it is. Read it. Look at the worst case scenario and ask yourself if you are willing to sign that contract. Prett simple.

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Originally posted by FSWILLIS:
Anything is possible, I would say that scenario is highly unlikely though.

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...what's your hang-up?

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Originally posted by wannjoinCGR:

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...what's your hang-up?

No hang ups here. I was just asking about the extending of the enlistment in time of war from curiousity. I don't think in the current situation that's realistic, but if it got to the point where significant numbers of folks could not demob...I'm pretty sure a lot other folks will be getting dragged into uniform.

The other stuff I was just sharing how I'm going through the "reconciliation process" mostly for the OP's benefit.

You make it sound like I am wrong to consider any of this as joining a team all pulling together and looking out for each other. I don't want to deploy if I'm alone and not being covered (I'm not Chuck Norris!) which I don't believe is the case.
I can understand that you probably get alot of post along the "help me decide" lines which you can't be expected to answer.

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You make it sound like I am wrong to consider any of this as joining a team all pulling together and looking out for each other.

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Originally posted by nekron99:

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You make it sound like I am wrong to consider any of this as joining a team all pulling together and looking out for each other.

Well, the truth is that the only person who gives a sheeit about your career is you.

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se above