Hello, currently I am a sophomore at college but not enjoying my time and i have always thought about the coast guard and being an AST. I visited a recruiter after my freshman year and found him to very disappointing. He gave me the feeling that i could not make it or it was not worth it to join and try to become an AST. I would really appreciate it if someone could email me or respond back on here so i can asked some questions and get the right answers and opinions i have been looking for.
Thank you
Email -jmartin@bgsu.edu ( i would prefer email over discussion board)
P.S, i have already posted this in the recruiter discussion but i think hearing from and actual swimmer would be beneficial too.
if becoming an AST is what you truly want, why would a recruiter's opinion make any difference in your goals? the vast majority of AST/helo rescue swimmers i worked with over the years knew they wanted to be an AST and did whatever was necessary to make it be so. that's the difference between those who make it and those who don't.
i'll e-mail you and try to help answer some questions for you.
I was told the same thing almost 12 years ago by a recruiter! I did it anyway and have been a Swimmer for 10 years now. If you really want it don't let anyone tell you that you can't or stand in your way. Good Luck
JMartin in Oct. of 06' i was told the same thing by a recruiter not really for AST just to join in general. She told me "Well this recruiting office is only allowed 35 billets a year to send to cape may. So you should just save your time and not even bother. Best of luck to you on everything else though." I was so put off by her comments that i ended up not joining. But in relation to the economy I have started a second attempt at joining and am currently trying to get my ASVAB date set up. And still running into the "screening tactics" i guess you could say of having to keept calling to get them to pay attention to me. Follow old school swimmer and swim hard's advice too its exactly what i'm doing i'm going to be fighting tooth and nail to get i wish you the best of luck.
I was wondering how current aviation survival technicians got into the job. Really want Im wondering is if swimmers have alot of swimming experience. Im a swimmer now. I have my school record in the 500 and im pretty good, in my small town that is. Im afriad that nationally i just dont compare to the type of people who succeed as AST's. I know that swimmers as expected to swim a 500 in about 7 minutes I heard (im not certain if this is correct) and i can go about 5 minutes. None the less I know there are many other requirements and I want to know if I am cut out for this, or if it is within reach atleast. If anyone (hopefully a swimmer) can give me some info on the physical requirements and how I compare that would be great. Thanks
