So I'm reading the astronaut solicitation message, and had some comments, so bear with me.

1. I like this line: "NASA WILL SELECT MILITARY ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES FROM ALL
MILITARY APPLICANTS INCLUDING CG NOMINEES."
Gee, thanks NASA for including the CG in the US military.

2. "B. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MISSION SPECIALIST POSITION:
(1) BE A U.S. CITIZEN ON ACTIVE DUTY WITH A MINIMUM OF FIVE
YEARS ACTIVE SERVICE.
(2) HAVE EARNED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED
INSTITUTION IN ENGINEERING, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE, PHYSICAL SCIENCE,
OR MATHEMATICS. DEGREE MUST BE FOLLOWED BY AT LEAST (3) YEARS OF
RELATED, PROGRESSIVELY RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. AN
ADVANCED DEGREE IS DESIRABLE AND MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR PART OR ALL
OF THE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT (MASTER'S DEGREE = 1 YEAR, DOCTORAL
DEGREE = 3 YEARS)."

So anyone on active duty, commisioned or enlisted, with these qualifications may apply for mission specialist. That's great! I know some enlisted folks who have thier Masters that could be great astronauts. But wait...........

3. "5. OPM-2 WILL ONLY CONSIDER THE CANDIDATE'S APPLICATION, COMMAND
ENDORSEMENT, AND OFFICIAL SERVICE RECORD. THE FULL TEXT SECTION OF
THE E-RESUME SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
A) RANK
B) UNIT
C) EXPECTED ROTATION DATE
D) DATE OF COMMISSION
E) COMMISSIONING SOURCE
F) ..........."

So NOW they say you need to be commisioned. Sounds like NASA thinks that only O's have educational degrees. Still living in the 60's, I see.

4. And finally "6. COMMAND ENDORSEMENT: DUE TO THE LARGE RESPONSE EXPECTED FOR THIS
PROGRAM, CO'S ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE SPECIFIC AND SELECTIVE IN THEIR
ENDORSEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS."

So CO's know what makes a good astronaute, eh? Man those folks really DO earn thier pay, with all due respect, of course.


And one last thing, if you need to be active duty to apply, why is this posted on the RESERVE message web-site?

OK, I'm done now. Thanks for listening. As Fred would say, "Just having some fun."

Why would you want to do that anyway? I hear their women wear diapers when they stalk you, I've got some wierd fettishes but that's just too over the top for me.
Cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by akwaman:
Why would you want to do that anyway? I hear their women wear diapers when they stalk you, I've got some wierd fettishes but that's just too over the top for me.
Cheers!

I was kind of thinking the same thing.

I asked this same question when the message came out. I'm waiting for clarification from the Program Manager before passing the word. Once I get clarification, I'll post it up.

I can't be positive but I think they favor short people?

quote:

Originally posted by asm3driscoll:
I can't be positive but I think they favor short people?

C) BE BETWEEN 62 AND 75 INCHES IN HEIGHT.

Quite a spread there.

I've only met one CG astornaut but I am pretty sure if someone looked into it they would mostly be under 6 feet in height and not too heavy.

Pretty sure that if you don't wear the Coast Guard Aviator's Wings on your uniform, your chances of selection are next to nil.



But then again, I'm sure that after all those years in orbit, the International Space Station needs a hard working Non-Rate to conduct regular field day mantenance, clean the heads and mess cook and conduct regular space walks to chip & paint the exterior spaces.

quote:

Pretty sure that if you don't wear the Coast Guard Aviator's Wings on your uniform, your chances of selection are next to nil.

The assumption being the person has both the pilot skills and the medical adaptation for flight/space flight. As already seen, the chances of a CG pilot being a pilot of the shuttle is nil compaired to the folks fed from the other services with mucho test flight experience.

That given, the astronaut world is going to change. The new astronauts, based on currents plans, will never ride a shuttle. The new Orion "Apollo style" ship seems to use more automation than Apollo, and certainly less "piloting" on reentry.

I think an officer, outside of Aviation, with a strong engineering degree, or life sciences might have a chance. Most astronauts still fly T-38s to keep up a level of high performance flying; at least as back-seaters.

Chances of an enlisted person being concidered, reguardless of qualification; doubtful.

Wrong club.

quote:

Originally posted by n1dp:
Chances of an enlisted person being concidered, reguardless of qualification; doubtful.

Wrong club.

Dave,

Maybe not. My first reply back from the PM was yes. However, I need to get further clarification/verification. The criteria for a MS doesn't specify O or E, airdale or black shoe. I think that would be a great thing for a qualified CG enlisted person to at least get considered.

More to follow......John

quote:

I think an officer, outside of Aviation, with a strong engineering degree, or life sciences might have a chance. Most astronauts still fly T-38s to keep up a level of high performance flying; at least as back-seaters.

Outside of the U.S. Public Health Service Officers serving with the Coast Guard, I'm not aware of any Coast Guard Officers who's specialty is within the life sciences relm. There might have been some opportunity if the Coast Guard had chosen to remain in the oceanography business. On the other hand, perhaps a geostationary orbatal platform hovering a couple of hundred miles over Newfoundland and the North Atlantic might be an asset for the International Ice Patrol. (But I think that problem has already been solved by remote sensing satellites thus further redundancy of the human factor.)

As to the Coast Guard engineering discliplines, I don't think that there would be much demand for naval, civil, electrical or ocean engineers up in space.

Read the message again. There are two different positions being solicited. One for pilot, the other for mission specialist. It says nothing about being a pilot in the prerequisets for mission spec.. That is what I was basing my original comments on.

quote:

It says nothing about being a pilot in the prerequisets for mission spec.. That is what I was basing my original comments on.

But for the past 38 years, knowing the Coast Guard and it's propensity for glorifying Aviators, it will be among the community of Aviators who will be approved by CGHQ for both Pilot and Mission Specialist positions.

quote:

Originally posted by marcus_leftcoastus:

quote:

It says nothing about being a pilot in the prerequisets for mission spec.. That is what I was basing my original comments on.

But for the past 38 years, knowing the Coast Guard and it's propensity for glorifying Aviators, it will be among the community of Aviators who will be approved by CGHQ for both Pilot and Mission Specialist positions.

Yep, I don't doubt you there. But that is where the thinking is going to have to change someday. I wonder what the detailer would do when the BMC has NASA as his first pick? Might be kinda fun to find out.

quote:

Originally posted by duckcop:

quote:

Originally posted by akwaman:
Why would you want to do that anyway? I hear their women wear diapers when they stalk you, I've got some wierd fettishes but that's just too over the top for me.
Cheers!

I was kind of thinking the same thing.

Thats awesome
One dumb person does one dumb thing ONCE and now you are going to stereotype all women astronauts into that category. BRAVO.
I've been sexually harassed in the CG. I think from now on I will view everyone MALE in the CG as a sexual predetor.
Thank you for your clarity.
ugh

The Army has nominated a handful of enlisteds and warrants to be considered for astronaut interviews. They are the only service to date that has done so, and none have made it to the interview stage.

Dave

quote:

I've been sexually harassed in the CG. I think from now on I will view everyone MALE in the CG as a sexual predetor.
Thank you for your clarity.
ugh

Retired male chauvinist pig who still remembers when the Coast Guard was a MAN'S world sends.

The Constitution will probably be amended so that Arnold can run for President before an enlisted person, or a non-aviator officer, and perhaps a non CGA is selected by this club. Let’s be honest please.

quote:

Thats awesome
One dumb person does one dumb thing ONCE and now you are going to stereotype all women astronauts into that category. BRAVO.
I've been sexually harassed in the CG. I think from now on I will view everyone MALE in the CG as a sexual predetor.
Thank you for your clarity.
ugh

i don't think he was seriously stereotyping; more likely just making fun of the one incident.
i guess Jay Leno and every other comedian who made fun of that situation would have to considered one, too, then... is it me or is there a bit of a cold draft in here?
(sound of snare drum and cymbol...)

quote:

Retired male chauvinist pig who still remembers when the Coast Guard was a MAN'S world sends.

Oh brother