What are some questions to ask yourself when deciding to join?

Some key things one would need to be ok with when committing to join the USCG.

The best thing you could ask yourself is...
"What can I offer the Coast Guard?".
Too many come in selfish and expect the Coast Guard to give them everything. If you have an attitude that is unselfish and willing to work hard to give to your country, your coast guard, and your unit, then you will do well.

Next, ask yourself if you can do this in less than ideal conditions...meaning, rough weather, little sleep, hungry, intense supervisors, etc. etc.
Also you should ask and be able to answer if you have the fitness to do all this.

Are you willing to put the needs of the Service, the Country and those in need of our help before your and your family needs?

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Are you willing to put the needs of the Service, the Country and those in need of our help before your and your family needs?

If your single, putting the needs of others in front of your own might not be a hard thing. But think about down the road if you plan on making it a career. A family might be harder to put in second.

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Some key things one would need to be ok with when committing to join the USCG

Service to country and others before self. Don't think this is another service where negotiation is the norm. Research, research, research. CPO Kalbach

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Originally posted by KelJoS:

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Are you willing to put the needs of the Service, the Country and those in need of our help before your and your family needs?

If your single, putting the needs of others in front of your own might not be a hard thing. But think about down the road if you plan on making it a career. A family might be harder to put in second.

Having been single, married, single and married while in the CG, I am not sure I buy that. It is a pretty even tilt I think. Married folks have someone to look out for their needs while they are serving. Married folks also often have an increadibly supportive envornment to back them up. Face - most spouses, especially those of the female pursuasion are pretty darn smart! They know you (and they) are making those sacrifices FOR THEM. Not just for their safety, but for their livlihood!

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/Joini..._States_Military.htm

Check out this information Kered226.

could i live on a boat in a room with 10+ other people for a few months at a time?

Will I be able to sacrifice a friend to save the ship? Just a DCs point of view.

Actually, that room with 10+ could even mean 30 guys in one berthing area as on the 378's. I've never been on the 400' Ice Breakers so I can't say if they are even more crowded.

I think it is very wise of you to ask such questions before signing your name on the contract. My son, a Marine, has told me of a number of guys from his bootcamp platoon who have gotten out for psychological reasons in the first year when they couldn't hack it. I always ask, "What the heck did they think they were getting themselves into?"

I'd suggest to include asking yourself these questions.

Am I ready to be Government Property for the next four years? To be told when I can take leave and where I must live?

Am I ready to go where they tell me to for the needs of the service even if it may not be where I want to go....and still give all my effort to succeed?

If in a relationship, am I ready to deal with the seperation and is she? If she is not, can I handle that fact?

Am I ready to work my butt off for low pay and can I accept doing the crappy jobs as the "new guy" (FNG)?

Will I be self motivated enough to work for my qualifications at the rank I am at while finding the motivation to work even harder for a promotion?

Maybe this one too....Do I get chronic seasickness?

Am I a person who knows how to work as a team even with someone I may not like?

If I am the one with a kilo of cocaine in my hands, will I know to never give into the temptation of doing the wrong thing?

Can I cut the cord from my parents and enjoy seeing different parts of the country and maybe the world?

Knowing that the Coast Guard is a military service, am I the type of person who can stand on an oil rig off of Iraq and defend it?

Am I mentally strong enough to stay and fight an onboard fire on a cutter?

Hope these suggestions can be of some help.

Good luck in your decision.

Don

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 21yrsUSCGUSCS,

Am I willing to work 80-90 hours a week?

Can I make decisions which may affect whether someone lives or dies?

Can I give up long hot showers for months at a time?

Would I mind being woken up at 0330 every morning for months at a time to stand watch?

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Maybe this one too....Do I get chronic seasickness?

21yearsUSCGUSCS, that one isn't so bad. I originally came in to be a BM but was so often seasick that my corpsman joked "You should think about going aviation".
So...I did, and never looked back.
So , in relation to this thread.
Can you adapt, improvise, overcome?

i get it bad.
it took me a year to get use to it at my old unit. now that im at a station...ugh.
the 47 is too light. way too light. hahaha.

sometimes i think of retaking some asvab parts and switch rates to AMT...

but eh...
i love mk.