ok, I've been talking to my local recruiter about joining the coast guard. I'm color blind so I can't do many jobs in the cg. DC is one of the very few jobs I can do. I just wanted to know is it a good job? Do you guys actually go on the search and rescue missions or is that a whole different thing?
I spent 4 years as a boatswains mate before i found out i was color blind. Switching to DC was the best descision of my career. Of the few jobs that you can do in the coast guard, DC is by far the coolest. I am on a big white one and when ever we are involved in a search and rescue, they send over the rescue and assistance team, which is comprised of mostly DC's and MK's. We are kind of the jacks of all trades, doing everything from welding to plumbing to fire fighting. If none of those interest you, you can still go out of rate as a DC and go to a MSST, MSRT, TACLET, or LEDET. all of which are Law enforcement.
WOW, it sounds like much fun. I was just affraid that it was gonna be pretty boring job and all. Recruiters don't always say the truth ya know lol. So is it hard to become a DC? How'd you do in you'r ASVAP? (Thanx A lot by the way)
hhhhhmmmmm, why DC second? Ya know to be honest, I'm just affraid I'll do horrible on the test and their going to make me be like a cook or somthing lol. is that possible? For them to assign you a job you don't want to do.
Don't worry about the ASVAB. Study up for it and do your best. Trust me, it's worth it. BUt fortunately for you , DC is one of the rates you can strike. And you don't need a good ASVAB score to strike. I've had 2 FN strike DC under me and they both completed it within a year. Which is about how long the wait for A-school is now. Good luck. I love being a DC.
"A" school is where you go to get rated. There is an A school for every rate, but some rates allow you to strike it, which is on the job training. The other type of school is "C" school which is a specialty school. Examples are Advanced Steel Welding, Aluminum Welding, Advanced Shipboard Firefighting. These are schools that are specific to certain jobs within the Coast Guard. Not everyone will go to CBR-D school, but all DC1's on big boats will. I hope that clears things up for you.
I'm not much of a mechanical person. From what I hear, DC is a greasy, dirty job. You're always working with engines, or painting, or welding something. I actually have an Environmental Science degree and would rather do something scientific.
oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ok. That clears it all up. you guys are great by the way lol. Well DC sounds fun to me. I talked to another recruiter today and I asked him how can I go on seach and rescues, he said I have to request it. Is that true? even though I'm color blind can I do It? What are the chances of me getting a shot to do that? I want some action ya know lol thanx guys
Whenever you talk to your recruiter you need to keep reminding him to look in the regs for color-blindness to see if you can do stuff. Another thing that I found out is that we're automatically DQed to become an officer. Which is kinda annoying because I plan on finishing up my 20 years if I go in. I think the military stand is "We'll let you in, but we won't let you do anything important."
yeah dude that sucks. It's kinda a big put down aswell, and it's not like you can help it ya know. You're gonna sign up for 20 years (Thumrait02)? I was also dissapointed when I found out you can't become an officer, I planed on it for a few years and it was weird to hear I can't do it because of my color vision. Do you know if you can still become a petty officer? or is that the same thing?
I think Petty Officer is actually an enlisted rank. It's like E-4 and above. I did four years in the Air Force and wasn't allowed to do anything interesting and was a vehicle operator. I've been out for five years and can't find a decent job anywhere. And you get spoiled in the military. You have the chain of command and everyone does what they're supposed to do. Civilians are so lazy it's driving me crazy. So, I just plan on finishing my next 16 years and retire. Where else can you retire when you're 38 years old? (Or, 44 for me).
wow thats pretty cool. Atleast you get to retire before most people due right? I was thinking about going straight to college for a few years but I find it pretty boring. It's not me ya know. Would you recomend college or the Coast Guard? I'm also worried that once I'm out of the Coast Guard I won't be able to get a job, I'll be in the same spot I started in. I want to be a firefighter and firefighters require full color vision.
Yeah, I hate college. While you're in the military they have Tuition Assistance for college. It usually completely pays for tuition. But, you're always switching shifts and getting moved from one station to another, so it takes three times as long to get a degree. But, you don't need one for work, so there's no hurry. I just plan on having a master's degree by the time I retire.
It was ok. You don't really do anything unless if you're a pilot. I pretty much spent 4 years washing cars every day. I want to switch to a branch that actually might do something exciting.
Originally posted by dilution: washing cars? wow. Did you know you were colorblind before you went in? hey does the Coast Guard get shipped out to war and stuff?
i hacve been in for almost 5 yrs now. for dc you pretty much to request to go over do bahrain if you do it is any where from 6months if your station on a cutter that is going over there to 1 yr if you volunteer. the cutter that is station across the pier from me is going to africa area for 6 months. i enjoy being a dc. i went to a school then made 2nd class in the same unit. like all military branches, your always in a war but we have a different kind of war.
so you have to request it? unlike other military branches that force you? what type of stuff goes on when you do go out to other countries? okay, so lets say............. you request to go to "A" school, it takes like 1 year to get in right? what do you do until you get in? would you still be considered a DC?
Dilution, Man your recruiter must blow man. If he can't answer all of your questions. DC's do the rescue of ships, called rescue and assistance when you are on the cutters. Like dewatering of ships taking on water, fight fires, etc. Most of the people that are do mostly SAR are the BM's MK's and the people in the command center taking the calls. Take college will you are in it's all payed for. Then use the GI bill after you retire. Being a DC is the coolest because you can do everything even work in the MST world if you like.
lol my recruiter is kinda weird, he doesn't answere my questions directly. Thanx for the info man. I do plan on going to college once I'm in the Coast Guard. I just hope I can manage to do two things at once
I didnt know i was color blind til i went to meps. Im going the navy and now i dont know what to do about choosing a job. I really need to know what jobs are available to me now. I also heard the air force has more jobs to offer someone whos color blind than the navy. Any suggestions?
