I'm thinking about the uscg because I'm a volunteer fire fighter in TX. I think I would really enjoy SAR. I will have my degree in about 18 months and was wondering about OCS. I will be a commisioned FF/EMT-B by then. How likely is it that I would get sent to a SAR small boat station right out of OCS? Or would I be sent to a ship? I know there are no guarantees, but I just wanted to know the norm. Also, how is the married life?

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Originally posted by 18119157:How likely is it that I would get sent to a SAR small boat station right out of OCS? Or would I be sent to a ship? I know there are no guarantees, but I just wanted to know the norm. Also, how is the married life?

Not likely at all. Stations are manned by enlisted, they may have an officer as Commanding Officer or XO, but they are not someone right out of OCS. Most new officers go to larger cutters, but you may also go to a sector office, and other larger shore unit.

If you want to do direct SAR, you will not do much of it as an officer. Officers do participate in SAR but most are involved at a higher level, not actually pulling people out of the water. They may be flying the helicopter, or planning the search, but it’s the enlisted members that get wet.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with being an officer. After the first few years, you will have the opportunity to accept leadership challenges that are not available anywhere else.

You can be a SAR planner, Command you own patrol boat, or serve as division officer in a larger cutter. The Coast Guard is a team and just because you may not be able to fight fires or reach into the water and pull someone out, does not mean you will not be an integral part of the process.

As for being married in the Coast Guard, that depends on your expectations. You will be at work more than you will be at home, and a lot of the time spent at home will be catching up on sleep Birthdays, Anniversaries, and other special days, all revolve around your work schedule not the calendar or the wishes of your spouse. My wife got to the point years ago where she just asks “when is my birthday this year”.

Be Safe

Approximately 40,000 enlisted men/women and 4,000 Officers. Do the math

I can speak of my married life. I was in the Navy and gone 6-8 months at a time. In the Coast Guard, I was on a High Endurance Cutter and the most we went out was 2 1/2 months. I did do (1) 6 month to the Persian Gulf in 1999. The next time my ship went that long was in 2006. Being gone from loved ones is hard, but it's the sacrifice each one of us makes when we raise our hands. CPO Kalbach

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PO1Kalbach,

Contact the Dallas Recruiting Office and see what they can do for you. I would be happy to help but it is a long drive to San Antonio. MK1

Thanks guys for the input. I appreciate all your comments. I'm just trying to gather as much "unbiased" knowledge/opinions before I make a decision that will affect my family.

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Thanks guys for the input. I appreciate all your comments. I'm just trying to gather as much "unbiased" knowledge/opinions before I make a decision that will affect my family.

Get your wife involved in the process, she has to sign a "spousal consent" form for you to be able to join. She needs to be happy with the decision as well. I owe my 16 year career to my wife. CPO Kalbach