"Better than" other rates is subjective. "Different from" is appropriate.
As a DC you'll get a good basis for any job in the construction field. From foundation basics to roofing, and all the processes in between.
You'll get cursory training in firefighting and with luck, will never have to face a real inferno.
You'll weld MIG, TIG and flux core. Braze and solder until you do it in your sleep. Use a cutting torch until your drag lines are razor smooth.
You'll also unclog toilets, sinks and sewage systems; inspect and replace watertight fitting gaskets; run emergency drills using every kind of tool used in rescue and dewatering; stand watches ashore and aboard ship on heating, cooling, electrical and mechanical equipment.
If you like working with your hands, and can function under pressure, you'll like the rate.
Magic8Ball said it all. If you're looking for a rate that will give you job skills for the regular world, DC or MK is the way for you. BM is a good rate, but all you learn to do is paint and drive boats. MK's learn how to fix deisel engines, HVAC type stuff. So they have a good set of job skills too. But DC's get to play a lot more. You're not covered in grease and you get to burn metal. Good luck and I hope we helped you out.
DC for life. Hey man being a DC is the best. When you are on a cutter everyone needs you and so you are the man on the boat and best of all you hardly ever have to babysit nonrates. You work hard and go home. And when you make 2nd class there is all kinds of sweet independed jobs. And you can make second within 6 months of making third because it is all suplemental lists, as long as you put forth the effort. And DC's are probably the tightes family in the CG every where you go we look out for each other. Good Luck and hope you make the choice for you.
If you like to solve problems, That is the main use for the DC rate. I have had my hands involved in everything on the ship except for driving. I have worked on engines, pulled cables, stood a mooring station, helped to paint(rare and with a rattle can). If the weather is crappy I find something to do inside. If the weather is nice i will be outside. The only down side is that there are not as many DCs as there are MKs or BMs so we are limited on where we can go. But it is a great and rewarding job if you are willing to make it one. But the same can be said of all the rates. I agree that the earlier statement about BMs is more of a my rate is better than your rate game. If you can, go to the Station, ship, or base near you and talk to the people there in that rates you are considering. It all depends on what you like to do. But keep up the research and pick what you can see your self doing for the next 20 plus years, even if you don't plan on staying in that long.
They can wind up anywhere there is a CG presents. More than likely he will be sent to a large cutter or someplace where there are housing units to be taken care of. And of course there are the Strike Teams.
You'll find them at Air Stations, Ant teams, ISC's, MAT teams, Aton cutters, L.E. cutters, doing L.E. on Navy ships Taclet, MSST teams and the list goes on and on. The way the coast guard is going these days with HomeLand Security anything can happen. The only draw back as mentioned above is that DC's are few in number so you are limited to where you can go but the list for billets is nothing to shake a stick at. As for me I've been to Petaluma, CA to a training center doing housing and structure maintainance. Air Station Cape Cod doing more housing and Structual maintaninance and locksmithing. My current unit in LA on a construction tender doing ATON. The DC rate is fun and challenging and one of those rates that many people wish they would've gone.
