I am 34yrs old, and I have been in the Coast Guard for ten years. I am planning to attend the Maine Maritime Academy (no age limit) to receive my Bachelors Degree in Marine Transportation Operations. Once I have completed my degree, I would like to come back to the Coast Guard under the Direct Commission Maritime Academy Graduate Program (age limit of 41 years old). Although I will have been out of service for 4 years, will my time pick up from my current ten year mark if I am accepted? Has anyone ever heard of someone doing something like this before? How likely is it that the Coast Guard will take me back? Thank you for your answers in advance.
You may want to look into staying as a CG drilling reservist while you attend MMA.
There used to be a program called MARTP in the early 1990s which accomodated personnel in your situation. I'm not sure if it still exists or not though (although it is still listed on the USCG Recruiting Website ).
I'll try and dig around some. PM me at: 1110@military.com and maybe I can forward some information for you.
I don't see why your time would't count, but I do not have the hard facts. I got out for a while and all of my AD time counted when I came back as a reservist. Also, prior service personnel get credit for time served. Wait, that didn't come out right.
I am not sure what your goals are here, but I think you are crazy, not trying to shoot your plane out of the sky. Are you doing this to try to obtain a degree and license both achievable while in the Coast Guard. I have known enlisted folks who went CWO and requested positions afloat(BIG AND WHITE) so they could obtain the required sea time and experience to get licenses. One guy had his Third Assistant Engineers license and a degree while still in.
My son goes to Mass Maritime for engineering and I do think the Maritime Schools out there where you can get a degree and license is a great deal. The classes are hard and the drop out rate is 50 percent in the engineering courses due to the math. I am not sure I could share a room and inspections with an 18 year old kid again at 34. After being involved with MMA and writing out the checks for tuition, I must say, had I known about it earlier in life I may of not joined the CG.
If you do decide to get out, I strongly suggest you stay in the reserves which will help your MARGRAD package. Also, I am not sure if you are married but think about how you would afford housing, insurance etc.
I wish you the very best and if you do this, you will have many opportunities waiting for you both in the commercial industry and the CG upon yoour graduation.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: CGBOSTON,
Well, I don't think this idea is crazy. When I was going to college, there were plenty of people who were over the age of 40 attending my school to change careers, and some had kids. You don't seem to be talking about changing careers here either... With ten years experience and the Bachelors Degree you are talking about, you could get some pretty good jobs in the industry and not even have to worry about retiring. I know Maine Maritime also allows people over the age of 23 (or 24) to apply for off campus living quarters. I don't think they will pay for your apartment, but you won't have to have any room inspections done. The drop out rate the other person mentioned is probably accurate, but then again you also have experience and are not an 18 year old kid straight out of High School who has never been away from home. I say go for it, the Coast Guard wouldn't have that program for people up to age 41 if they didn't think someone was going to try for it.
