I'm applying for OCS this fall and very interested in AST for a long time. I'm not a large guy, about 5'6/130, but deceptively strong. I've been a competitive swimmer since around age 13, 8+ years experience as a beachfront lifeguard (albeit on the Long Island Sound in CT). I wanted to hear from those who've been there before, what would be the best way to use my training time? How did you prepare before AST school? Keep in mind, I'm 22 and working a regular job for now, so I don't have all kinds of time like I did in college for instance. Thanks for all help.

Unfortunately, AST is an enlisted rate only. No officer positions. If you decided to go officer however, you could try your luck at Flight School.

I'm also interested in AST. I tried to contact the recruiting offic today and they were already closed. I'm prior service and I love adventure. I thought this would be a good route. It was either the Firefighter academy here in Houston or joining the Coast Guard. I wanted to get some info on AST A-School. What does a regular day at the A-school consist of. Have females passed the training?

ground PT for 2 hours. Push-ups/pull-ups/sit-ups...ect followed by running usually adding up to 5 miles...then 2 hours in the pool for conditioning. Sprints/underwater/water confidence. Lunch. 2 more hours in the pool

Aviation Candidates receive orders to an Air Station to begin part 1 (Airman Program), this consist of a comprehensive OJT program based on the Airman Handbook and syllabus, and a math pretest. The program last 4 months.

When they say Math Pretest, what do they mean? What kind of math are you required to know to be an AST?

You must complete the ATTC Math Pre-Test. It's a computer based, math refresher course.

The importance of basic math cannot be overemphasized; "A" school students must be comfortable with basic math operations.

Once you're in the Coast Guard and need additional math training, you may order a Basic Math correspondence coures (BAMATH, course code edition 0485-1) that is maintained by the Coast Guard Institute.

ASVAB:

You need at least a line score of 52 for Arithmetic Reasoning and good Math Knowledge to even qualify for AST,AET & AMT.

Make sure you do well on the ASVAB first, then keep you're math skills strong before the Airman Program.

Have the Recruiter down-load the Airman Syllabus
from CG Central. Talk to them about E-PME's in the Coast Guard.

what kind of math are we talking about here?

How does an AST use math on a day to day basis?

The Math test is for aviation ratings. The test is not hard, it's simple math, some fraction questions may be the toughest.

As an AST you will be a Basic Aircrew also, If on 60's you will be backing the pilots up with fuel consumption among other things.

And in the shop, You will be using Math almost daily to complete maintainence on survial and rescue equipment. And in sewing projects.