hey, im 18 years old and i am currently trying to decide whether or not i would like to join the coast guard, if i did then the one job that really just catches my eye is AST. I understand that i would have to work for it and probably serve some time before i could become one, but what i was wondering is if someone could please just give me the basic run down. By that i mean, how long is the average wait for a new comer to get into A school, what should i do in order to give me the best chance possible at becoming an AST, and just any other useful information. thanks a bunch i really appreciate it.

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how long is the average wait for a new comer to get into A school, what should i do in order to give me the best chance possible at becoming an AST, and just any other useful information. thanks a bunch i really appreciate it.

I'm not sure of the wait, contact your recruiter
I waited 1 year before my airman program.

For your best chance, run far and fast, swim laps (distances and sprints) or join a swim group, Oxygen deprivation swimming, treading water with a brick or kick board over your head, work on your endurance do the WOD's @ crossfit.com, lifting heavy weights will get you no where, push yourself, always be improving at something if your not improving your not pushing yourself

set goals; ex. 100 push ups 2 min, 100 sit ups 2 min, 20 pull ups, 20 chin ups, 500m swim 630, 1.5 mile 9 min, your goals can be different, these were mine before i went to A school, I reached everything but the pull ups (19), chin ups (18) and swim (6:55). I'm still trying to reach these goals

at the vry least be able to do the PT test mins, get a buddy to do it with you, My buddy and I were on my boat together and we worked out together before my AN program and during our An programs pushing each other always trying to out do the other, helped out immensely, both graduated A school

and most of all have fun with it

thanks a ton, i really appreciate that, i am currently talking to an officer that i was hooked up with by a family friend, and hes going to help me as much as he can, also, if anyone else would have some input on anything, please, i'm eager to learn as much as i can, and this is something i really want, so please give me whatever you think may be useful. I appreciate everything

Think long and hard before you enlist. As you have heard, AST school is very hard and you need to be prepared to serve your 4 years as something other then an AST if you don't make it.

No offense to EX...

But the paradox of AST "A" School is: if you have a back up plan. You most likely will take it. It almost planning to fail. You will hear many times how mentally demanding AST school is, as well as physical. Having a back up plan, though seems the responsible thing to do. It also is doubt. Doubt that you can't do it. That maybe you will fail. And what if you do?

I suggest another approach. I suggest telling yourself and living it. that faliure is not an option. That you will be willing to do whatever it takes, you will sacrafice what you must. And slash any thoughts of failure and doubt that come into your mind into smithereens.

To get through school you have to live in the here and now. The thoughts of faliure and the future bring if you do are weak thoughts. And the mind always expands upon what you think about. So that's what you will attract, more thoughts of failure. It will become a self fulfilling prophecy.

And though we do not want to loom to long on the idea of what you will do if you do not graduate AST "A" School. I will tell you what will happen. Life will continue. You will be presented with the choice then.

The mind loves to live in the past and the future. Totally ruining the present.

Becoming an AST was my back up plan!

Dog Show-

I wasn't suggesting a back up plan as much as pointing out that if he will only be happy as an AST but fails to make it then his life will suck. he can't quit.

Rather then a specific plan, I wanted him to at least be aware that even if he doesn't end up as an AST he still has his 4 years to complete.

There have been posts here in the past that indicate 50% pass....which means 50% end up doing something other then being an AST.

well put dog show.

You'll never know if you have what it takes unless you try, theres no shame in trying and failing, theres only shame in not trying at all.

keith,

I agree with both you and DogShow. I just wanted to make the individual aware of the fact that desire alone won't make him an AST, so he needs to understand that up front.

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I just wanted to make the individual aware of the fact that desire alone won't make him an AST

Ex I totally agree, I've seen some guys gung ho, ready to guy, but they weren't able to hack it physically and got the boot, it does take more than desire

Ex, I agree with that. It's good to know the whole story. The more information we can arm this guy with, about being in the Coast Guard the better we can be of service to him.

Ex does make a good point. That if whatever reason you do not complete the program. You still have to fulfil your obligation.

Besides, everyone except you guys knows it ain't a smart thing to jump out of a perfectly good helicopter!

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Besides, everyone except you guys knows it ain't a smart thing to jump out of a perfectly good helicopter!

Hi Ex_CG_GM,

actually, it was quite a bit of fun to jump; besides, it was still a perfectly good helo to get hoisted back into when the jumping was over...

good luck, 14433578, do your homework and best wishes to you whatever path you decide to take.
Ex_CG_GM and dogshow are giving you some sage advice.

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Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:
Besides, everyone except you guys knows it ain't a smart thing to jump out of a perfectly good helicopter!

No such thing as a perfectly good helicopter

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Originally posted by Dog_show:

quote:

Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:
Besides, everyone except you guys knows it ain't a smart thing to jump out of a perfectly good helicopter!

No such thing as a perfectly good helicopter

That would be true. No such thing as a perfectly good airplane, no such thing as a perfectly good helicopter. Any skydiver knows that.

The piper cub is a great airplane, it barely goes fast enough to kill you and the stick is cool.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: asm3driscoll,

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Originally posted by asm3driscoll:
The piper cub is a great airplane, it barely goes fast enough to kill you and the stick is cool.

Oh come on, don't tell me you actually qualify that as an aircraft. It's a shoebox with wings.

Its a great plane with many many fans. It's almost like flying on the wing itself. When I was at Sitka there was a 2nd class AE or At that had one and wouyld fly out and land on all sorts of beaches etc.. Bent up his prop pretty good one time on a beach landing and the guard helped him out getting a new prop to him.
Wish I could remember his name?
Peace,
Dick

quote:

Originally posted by asm3driscoll:
Its a great plane with many many fans. It's almost like flying on the wing itself. When I was at Sitka there was a 2nd class AE or At that had one and wouyld fly out and land on all sorts of beaches etc.. Bent up his prop pretty good one time on a beach landing and the guard helped him out getting a new prop to him.
Wish I could remember his name?
Peace,
Dick

Ah well, I guess you do qualify it as an aircraft. I won't hold it against you.

Just kidding of course, awesome aircraft, among the legends of airworthy designs.

By the way, finally some forward motion.

Feb. 12th is set in stone for starting Basic... barring the apocalypse or something. I should be contracting early next week.

Congradulations Freefall, I hope you have made a good choice for yourself. See if you can get to a small boat station and then a small airstation.
Peace,
Dick