After talking to the recruiter I was planning on doing the 6 year enlistment with a guaranteed pay rate of E-3. This week I'm to go and sign the last of my paperwork since I have already been to Meps and already have been cleared to go to Boot-Camp. Last night found out a friend of mine is in the Coast Guard and she brought it to my attention that the difference between E-3 pay and E-2 pay is a little more then 50 dollars. The recruiter told me they offer a 2,000 dollar enlistment bonus for people that sign on for a 4 year enlistment and a E-3 for people who do a 6 year. My friend stated that it is not really that hard to make a E-3 as long as you do everything required and the required 6 months. 6 months as a E-2 is only a difference of 300 dollars. Would it be better to do the E-2 to E-3 requiments and take the 2,000 dollar bonus or take the 6 year enlistment for the E-3. Also has anyone heard about getting a guaranteed A-School?
Everything your friend told you is true. I'd do the four year enlistment. Making E-3 is easy as long as you're persistant and it doesn't require a lot of time. You can get guaranteed A school if there is a shortage of people in that particular rating. Not sure which ratings are critical at this time. A recruiter can best answer that question.
Thanks SpeckTrout. Being persistant is what I am best known for, so I do not see that as to much a problem. Im shooting for the a AST rating, So I am going in unrated. Does this mean I do not attend a A school?
I can pretty much say with confidence that AST is not a critical rating. You will attend "A" school, but you won't get to go immediately after boot camp. You'll go to a regular Coast Guard unit after boot camp and put your name on the "A" school waiting list. Since you'll be going into an aviation rating, you'll have to do the Airman Program. That means you'll have to go to an Air station, get qualified in certain things, and make the transition from a Seaman to an Airman. Afer that, you'll attend AST "A" school in Elizabeth City, NC. If you're serious about going AST, I'd list Air Stations on your dream sheet in boot camp. That way you'd be all set.
Again thanks SpeckTrout, I was told to excel in everything while and Boot-Camp. If the other girls are giving 110% I need to give 120%. This will help me on where I get placed after Boot-Camp. I have already did the research on Air Stations in the states. Would not mind shooting for Savannah, Ga or Clearwater, Fl and San Francisco, Ca. I have also been told that while waiting to get in to Airman Program I will be unrated. Meaning I will be doing the dirt work on the Air Station, but again. Thats nothing new to me and I am willing to do what I have to to achieve my goals.
Originally posted by MrsBush: After talking to the recruiter I was planning on doing the 6 year enlistment with a guaranteed pay rate of E-3. This week I'm to go and sign the last of my paperwork since I have already been to Meps and already have been cleared to go to Boot-Camp. Last night found out a friend of mine is in the Coast Guard and she brought it to my attention that the difference between E-3 pay and E-2 pay is a little more then 50 dollars. The recruiter told me they offer a 2,000 dollar enlistment bonus for people that sign on for a 4 year enlistment and a E-3 for people who do a 6 year. My friend stated that it is not really that hard to make a E-3 as long as you do everything required and the required 6 months. 6 months as a E-2 is only a difference of 300 dollars. Would it be better to do the E-2 to E-3 requiments and take the 2,000 dollar bonus or take the 6 year enlistment for the E-3. Also has anyone heard about getting a guaranteed A-School?
They will request a $2000 bonus, that is not a given till your reservation for basic comes back with it approved. I would not count on it at this time.
Personal opinion here: I reccomend requesting the E3 enlistment rather than the 2k (before taxes) bonus. Making E3 is "easy" compared to other paygrades, but making E3 should not be your first mission when you report to your first unit. Your first task is to get fully qualified. You are excess weight until you are qualified to do your part in completion of the mission. If you are already E3, you will be able to focus on getting qualified and making an intelligent "A" school choice. That small amount of money won't last nearly as long as many believe.
Just from what Im hearing from everyone else. Is it not true the Coast Guard will offer a re-up bonus? Rather look at that bonus plus the enlistment bonus sooner then no bounus at all till my 6 years are up. Not that it a money thing, but when you are in the cilivan world you go to the job thats you like and pays the most. Plus since Im married we are going to have to relocate from home to my duty station, and nothing is cheap now a days. Im not trying to live on the enlistment bonus, but it would help us get settled and moved. Plus would love to have my husband fly up here to see my graduation, and I did the millage today. With the price of gas 1,389 miles is not going to be cheap to drive. Thanks for the advise thou.I think Im going to stick with SpecTrouts advise.
You can't count on ANY bonuses, whether it be an enlistment or reenlistment bonus. Not all rates will ever get a reenlistment bonus. Many don't. I never got one. Bonuses are just that: bonuses. If they are a deciding factor, you are may be applying for the wrong reasons. You are free to take whichever path you choose, but just make sure that your decisions are being made using the correct criteria. Good luck.
If you are interested in AST, 6 years is the way for you to go. Here is why. AST is certainly not a guarantee. You will have to put your name on the waiting list. Many commands will require you to be fully qualified on whatever watches are necessary at that unit (which is only fair) and promote to E-3 before allowing you to do so. In the meantime, you must have your background investigation and flight physical completed before you are allowed to PCS to an Air Station to begin the 4 month Airman Program. Once you graduate A School, then you are going to have to obligate 29 months to the Coast Guard to ensure the Coast Guard has an AST for at least that long following your graduation. You'd likely have to extend if you'd signed up for 4 years active duty to cover that obligated service. At least if you are already an E-3, you will eliminate that headache and can instead concentrate on advancement requirements for E-4 before going to school.
Besides, your reservation for Boot Camp is already in the system. That reservation and its details are the result of time and communication between yourself and your recruiter over the course of your processing to determine the best plan for you.
I hope this helps a little. Good luck in Cape May, and good luck in your future in the Coast Guard. You made a great choice, and we are all looking forward to having you as part of our team. Stay positive, and you'll do great.
Originally posted by MrsBush: Again thanks SpeckTrout, I was told to excel in everything while and Boot-Camp. If the other girls are giving 110% I need to give 120%. This will help me on where I get placed after Boot-Camp. I have already did the research on Air Stations in the states. Would not mind shooting for Savannah, Ga or Clearwater, Fl and San Francisco, Ca. I have also been told that while waiting to get in to Airman Program I will be unrated. Meaning I will be doing the dirt work on the Air Station, but again. Thats nothing new to me and I am willing to do what I have to to achieve my goals.
One more observation, you seem to assume that you will be stationed at an Air Station out of Boot Camp. That is no guarantee. What happens if you get stationed on a cutter? Are you prepared to excel in that atmosphere as well? Your perfomance in Boot Camp doesn't really have a bearing on assignment preference. You get to request assignments and the detailer then assigns you based on your request. I'm not trying to shoot you down here, just to help set your expectations correctly. You need to be open to ALL of the misisons of the Coast Guard and available for worldwide assignment.
"Downoutlaw" I know I can not count on any bonuses, but I was offered a the bonus after taking my ASVAB. Just did not know the differnce in pay between E-2 and E-3. Everyone I talked to that was accepcted in to AST school recived a reenlistment bonus since they have to obligate for another 29 months. I will excel in any atmosphere I get placed in. If its a cutter, on at a Air Station cooking food or cutting grass. Since I will be unrated. Learned in life, no matter what job you are doing to do it to the better then all the rest. and to give it 110%.
Difference thru boot camp 162.00 a month, six months after boot camp 78.00 a month. That equals 792.00. You would also see an increase in BAH if you are entitled to it. Remember your bonus will be taxed at 25%. Still, more than the increase of pay, your benifit is going to be that you do not have to attain E3. Just some info so your choice is an educated one. Just remember which ever you choose, its extra.
Originally posted by MrsBush: Everyone I talked to that was accepcted in to AST school recived a reenlistment bonus since they have to obligate for another 29 months.
As of the last ALCOAST I've seen on reenlistment bonuses, AST was not a rate that was eligible. If someone needs to correct me on that, please do so. The extension is not for you. It is to benefit the Coast Guard. The CG will not send you to school unless you extend. If not, they wouldn't get a return on the investment of training you. Again, I'm just trying to give you some more information so you can make the best choices at the earliest parts of your career. Bonuses are a touchy subject for a lot of people in the Coast Guard because some of us don't believe that they are necessary to keep people in the organization. Just make sure you get the correct information. And again, if ASTs' get a bonus, please clarify.
If its a cutter, on at a Air Station cooking food or cutting grass.
You won't be "cooking food" unless you are a rated Food Service Specialist. You will clean up the galley and messdeck, but you will not cook. You may also cut grass. FSC Kalbach
Im excited to join no matter what Im doing I will make the best of it. As I do all things. Looking forward to basic on the 24th of June. Shipping out of Pensacola to MEPS.
Originally posted by MrsBush: Im excited to join no matter what Im doing I will make the best of it. As I do all things. Looking forward to basic on the 24th of June. Shipping out of Pensacola to MEPS.
I don't think I have any girls shipping with you. I have female shippers the week before and after you and a male going the same week as you. Best of luck to you.
