Hey there, First I wanted to say "Thanks" for everything you swimmers do.

A little bit about myself, I am currently enlisted in the USAF as a 4NO Emergency Medical. In my entire 4 year career in the Air Force I found that I feel I am missing something. I like the job that I am doing I just feel the AF is not for me. I grew interest in the Coast Guard from various Coastie Retiree's I care for. Now, I played Water Polo and swam for my entire high school career. Swimming and water polo are both loves of mine. So when I was reading up on Coast Guard and AST I immediately felt a warmth and something inside me told me that, this is what I need to be doing. I just have a couple of questions, hopefully there can be some good answers coming out of it.

Being AF now, by the time my enlistment ends I would of been in for 6 years.. If I xfer into CG would my time in the AF count for CG as well?

Being a Prior mil, Would I still be able to to qualify for any sign on bonus (if they are offered)

I know AST can be "not family friendly" but is it really that rough on the family? My wife supports my decision and is behind me 100%. I would just like to ensure her that everything will be the same.

Being a Emer. medic do I still have to attend EMT school for AST? and do I have to attend Basic for CG as well?

Is there a program in CG where I can xfer from the AF to CG? AF has a "Go Green" program that anyone can decide to head to the Army. Don't know if they would have anything like that for CG.

And any advice for my situation would be great!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope to read some good answers and advice.

Clopez02,
Good to hear that you want to come to the CG. I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. I was also in the AF before coming over to the CG. Let me tell you, probably one of the best career moves I've made. Not just being an AST but being in the CG. Way better lifestyle. Anyways, I'm glad that you felt all warm inside when doing research on the AST rating. It does that to most people.

Now, being prior service your time that you spent in the AF will transfer. But anytime spend in limbo wont.

The bonus you'll qualify for.... well when i enlisted they offered 2k for prior service. I'd talk to a recruiter about that one because i'm sure it changes case by case.

I dont know where your got your gouge on our job being "not family friendly" but its wrong. I've never heard, "your service comes before family" or "the coast guard didnt issue you a wife", but i did hear that in the AF. But thats just what i've experienced. There are stations where you will be gone sometime at sea, well one that i can think of, but other than that you wont have to worry about being deployed or anything. My wife has been with me through the AF and the CG and i can tell you that the family life is better.

On being an EMT, i'm not sure if you'd have to attend our school or not. If you are a current National Registered EMT i wouldnt see why you would.

You will have to attend Boot Camp again. They have a shorter program call Pitstop but there have been "rumors" that it has or will be discontinued.

There is no "blue to green" or in this case "blue to gold" program offered. It would be nice, but i dont think we are as shorthanded as the Army.

My advise, I would talk to a recruiter. He/She would be able to answer most, if not all of your questions. I would ask him if your job would transfer over to the CG. The "rating" or job that is most related to your current would be Health Services. I only say this because when you come in you will have to wait to go to AST school. If you were to come in rated you'd be an E-4 while waiting for school.

Well good luck, and if you have any other questions just pm me.

Mario