If i shoot for AST after basic what happens? Also what is the fail rate of AST? Last question, is the coast guard a four year commitment?

This is all speculation:

You would be a non-rate while you were on the waiting list for AST...depending on the waiting list, it could be from 1-2 years.. maybe more or maybe less.

The fail rate is extremely high and most people don't make it. If you didnt make it I assume you would go back to being a non rate while you awaited whichever other school you chose to open.

There is a movie that came out recently about it with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kuecher. I think it is called the Guardian.. http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=2063585

I believe you have to commit to 6 years at least.. 4 of active duty.. 2 can be reserves..

Once again, all speculation, I have not left for basic yet.

There is actually a AST section in here. I was actually looking in to myself. From what Ive found out there is only a certain number of AST's. I think its like 315 people that are Ast's, but not sure. You actually have to wait for someone to get out of the AST rate to get a spot to have your name on the AST school wait list.

quote:

Originally posted by MrsBush:
There is actually a AST section in here. I was actually looking in to myself. From what Ive found out there is only a certain number of AST's. I think its like 315 people that are Ast's, but not sure. You actually have to wait for someone to get out of the AST rate to get a spot to have your name on the AST school wait list.

Every rating is like that. There is a finite number of billets for each rating. Some are smaller than others, but all are limited in the number of bodies.

quote:

If i shoot for AST after basic what happens? Also what is the fail rate of AST? Last question, is the coast guard a four year commitment?

Let's get some accurate info here:

If a person wants to be an AST they need to first qualify with the ASVAB and MEPS medical physical.

Once they finish boot camp, they go to their first duty station. Once they have been at that unit for at least 4 months and have attained the rank of E-3 they can put their name on the AST A school waiting list.

While their name is on the AST A school waiting list, they will need to get their security clearance started and their flight physical done. If they don't accomplish this before they come within 4 months of the AST A School class convening date, they may not get to go to the Airman program.

AST has the highest attrition rate out of all the Coast Guard ratings. "Everyone" wants to be a rescue swimmer". Everyone in the Coast Guard can do search and rescue though, just not by jumping out of a helicopter.

Current enlistment times: Everyone that is non-prior service has an 8 year military service obligation. Currently 4 years active, 4 years inactive, or 6 years active and 2 years inactive people can sign up for.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgPC/epm/epm-2/A-SchoolList.pdf This is the A school waiting list that has all the specifics of what needs to be done.

CPO Kalbach