Just bouncing some future ideas around here while I'm waiting for a Boot Camp date - I was wondering how the Coast Guard selects it's Divers, if it's an enlisted/Officer speciality, and what kind of requirements they have for applicants?
I've been Scuba Diving for a number of years now, and although I know professional diving is a whole different kettle of fish to doing it for fun, it's definately something I enjoy and would like to get more qualified in.
If anyone can advise if there's specific rates they recruit from, if you have to be assigned to certain units etc, that would be great. Also if anyone knows if there's a requirement for US Citizenship so I know whether it's something I can look at in the near future, or further down the line once I'm a Citizen.
futureamerican the CG dive program is alive and well. I am stationed at NDSTC Panama city fl (dive school). I will say there are major changes happening this summer for the dive program. There will be two dive lockers 1 in san diago the other in va. there are also divers on the 3 D14 buoy tenders. I would tell you (as a prior Company Commander) to worry about boot camp first and when it comes time to fill out your ADC (dream sheet) in boot camp ask for Hawaii or Guam and 1 of the 3 black halls. In the comments section put down that you are very interseted in becoming a diver. As far as rates go I would suggest BM or MK. They are very large rates and you will be able to go anywhere. Me a DC I have been in and out of the dive program 3 times since 1996 because there just were no billets for me to fill at dive units. The bad news is diving is OUT OF RATE and you might have trouble compeating for advancement once you become a diver. Military diving is a lot different than hobby diving and it all starts off with the PT test. 500yd swim 14min, 10 min rest 42 pushups in 2 min, 2 min rest, 50 sit ups in 2 min, 2 min rest, 6 pull ups, 10 min rest, mile and a half run in 12:45. As for school we now send everyone to Army 2nd class dive school for 88 training days. you learn a lot and get a lot of bottom time in the MK 21 do some welding, cutting, patching, lift bag work, small boat operations, scuba operations, and a lot of other training. If you get through boot camp and dont get a dive unit dont worry make e4 and apply for dive school. if you have anymore questions (diving or boot camp) post them and ill try to stear you in the right direction. hope to see you at NDSTC in the next couple of years. DCC
Great post Chief! Future as others have posted, you need to set some goals, #1 worry about graduating boot camp, then it sounds like #2 is getting that citizenship. Good that you have questions, but you need to be focused on #1 first and foremost, without sucess of that, you will not achieve any other goals with the Coast Guard. Focus, focus, focus. CPO Kalbach
Thanks for the v informative and detailed reply DCC!
CPO Kalbach - Boot Camp is definately the No 1 priority right now...I've been prepping myself as best as possible - exceeding all the physical standards in my training and learning all the required knowledge in the Helmsman like the 11 General Orders etc. I know it will still be the toughest thing which I'll go through in my life to date, but I'm determined to go in with eyes open and taking in as much as possible, and then taking my USCG career from there.
CPO Kalbach - Boot Camp is definately the No 1 priority right now...I've been prepping myself as best as possible - exceeding all the physical standards in my training and learning all the required knowledge in the Helmsman like the 11 General Orders etc. I know it will still be the toughest thing which I'll go through in my life to date, but I'm determined to go in with eyes open and taking in as much as possible, and then taking my USCG career from there.
Just alittle mentoring on my part, don't want you to get to far ahead, keep the eye on the prize, using realistic goals. CPO Kalbach
