I am looking into joining the USCG. I have some questions about the rate. As the topic states, what is the typical sea/shore rotation schedule? What is the tempo of workload at sea or on shore? Any insight on these questions would be appreciated. See you out there.

The ratio of ashore vs. afloat for ET's is in the neighborhood of 4:1... There are many different types of units you could go to... Support units that maintain and repair electronics equipment on small boats and smaller cutters... You could go to a communications station where you'll maintain and repair communications equipment... Or you could go to a large (175' and up) cutter and maintain and repair navigation and comms equipment shipboard... Then there's theoption of becoming a tactical ET which would put you on a 270' or 378' cutter maintaining and repairing weapons systems... If you could get more specific in your question I could get more specific... Hope this helps...

It seems your question is asked every other month. I would tell you to look at the previous topics, where this is addressed, but the mediators trashed them.

Unlike the Navy, the Coast Guard does not have a mandatory sea to shore rotation. I know some ETs' that never did one day at sea their whole career. But, as JGCoastie, states, it depends on what ET specialty you are assigned. Not to say that you will remain in that strand for more than one tour.

Just remember the ET rating, unlike some other ratings, have sea time advancement requirements. So, my suggestion would be get all your required sea time for advancement out of the way, your first tour. That is, if you are staying in for the long-haul. You only need two years of rated sea time to promote all the way to Chief. Promotions are very quick for ETs', and Chief (E-7) is a possibility in eight years. I believe E-6 requires one year of sea, rated or not. If you will be coming back in as an E-3, you will more than likely promote to E-4 upon graduation from ET school (6 months).

Here is how the promotion table goes:
E-4 to E-5 (6 months required as an E-4)
E-5 to E-6 (1yr required as an E-5, 1yr sea)
E-6 to E-7 (2yr required as an E-6, 2yr sea)

Also keep in mind that there is a one-year sea time requirement for 1st Class Petty Officer (E-6)... And there are a lot of ET's that say they're going to do their 4-6 years and get out but change their minds once they get a family... Then they're stuck at ET2 (2nd Class, E-5) with no sea time and coming from a low priority unit... Which means that you're low on the totem pole when it comes time to pick your next unit... And there's a lot of ET2's needing sea time... More people than there are spots on boats for ET2's...

Thank you for all the information so far. And to be honest, I don't really know what I should be on the lookout for.
Which specialty/unit is best or the most desirable? I am in no way against going to sea, in fact I mean to request my first tour be afloat. How long on average can you stay at a certain unit? What is the max/min time?
I was an E-4 in the Marines, so I will be coming in as an E-3. How do I select the specialty that I'd prefer? Where can I find out what specialties are assigned to any given station?
Thanks in advance for the help.

What the most desirable billet or unit is, is always up for debate. It is a matter of preference.
Sea duty is usually 3 yrs long, and shore 4 yrs.
ET school and ETs specialties have changed since I went through ET school.
Hopefully somebody out there, that recently graduated, can answer that for you.
If you definitely know your going ET, you should sign up for the school. I wouldn't worry too much about the specialty yet. In any case, unlike some other services, you will not be locked into that specific job for the rest of your career. The CG has a small amount of people doing lots of different things. "ET" stands for everything. You will be a Jack of all Trades.