My recruiter told me this, and I wanted to verify it on here.
He said that when you join the coast guard, you get a length of time where you aren't assigned to a specific job, but you get to see all of the different jobs firsthand, and see what's involved with them. Then, once you decide on the job you want, you apply for the A School.

Also, can I choose to ship to Cape May at a later date, like 2-3 months later? They don't say "You have to go on that exact date", do they? Just wondering because of braces / college courses

This message has been edited. Last edited by: navitatl,

you can choose the date you would like to leave.

but once its selected and you sign your papers your going.


and about your first question.....

you graduate boot as a NONRATE. you go to your station or boat and you do NONRATE work. Scrub the decks, chip paint, sand, paint, or in my case chainsaw trees, weed-whack, pull cable, plow snow.... etc..

you get to work alongside many rates, and it really gives you an idea of what they all do.

Ok, and what happens after that? Like, when I decide which job I want

You request to have your name added to the A school wait list. Depending on what school you decide to attend you can anticipate some or all of the following:

Submitting a package for a security clearance,
Passing a flight physical,
A wait time of one year or more,
A wait time of 2 months or less.

Just depends on what school you decide to attend.

Aloha,
BM1

quote:

Just wondering because of braces / college courses

You can't ship until the braces come off. No permanent retainers either. So get with your recruiter on when braces will come off to coordinate the ship day you want. CPO Kalbach