Hi

Its been my goal since highschool to become a rescue swimmer, eight years later Im graduating from college with a Bachelors degree still pursuing the dream. However, it was brought to my attention that I should become an Officer rather than a AST. It has better pay and is just on a different level than ASTs. Im wondering what ASTs think of this, and if I should pursue becoming an officer? I hadnt thought about this until I talked to a friend in the CG last night. I really feel like if I dont give AST a shot, that Im giving up without even trying.

Is there any way to be an officer and then become an AST? I told that this was backwards and not possible. Im hoping I can be told otherwise?

Thanks

22543012,
If you ask me and probably any other AST's out there it sounds like you answered your question with this statement.

"I really feel like if I dont give AST a shot, that Im giving up without even trying."

You can apply to OCS and yes the pay is better. However you can then become a 'but' AST. "I was going to be an AST but..." just fill in the blanks. I don't care

Your other option is go to bootcamp and go to AST 'A' school and do one of two thing.
1. Become an AST love the job and when ready move onto OCS
2. Not make it through AST 'A' school and apply to OCS and go through the rest of your career knowing you tried and just didn't make.

To tell you the truth I have more respect for the person that tries and fails than the person that never tries but talks about it. Just my two cents

-Geskus

Hey, I am not an AST but I am a non-rate with a bachelor and masters degrees and a second one on the works (yes I am an 'older' non-rate lol!).

The only reason why I mention this is because even though you are qualified to apply and become an officer, it does not mean it is the right choice for you at the moment (or the right choice, period).

I too think about OCS and the officer route, and I decided that the best thing for me is to be rated first, experience the E-side and then decide. It is the only choice that will allow you to fulfill both goals if you decide you want to be an officer.

Now, you are the only one who knows what is the right thing to do, and either way, (and of course this is just my opinion) being a part of the Coast Guard on either side (E or O) will be worth it.

Good luck with your decision!

quote:

Originally posted by 22543012:
Hi

Its been my goal since highschool to become a rescue swimmer, eight years later Im graduating from college with a Bachelors degree still pursuing the dream. However, it was brought to my attention that I should become an Officer rather than a AST. It has better pay and is just on a different level than ASTs. Im wondering what ASTs think of this, and if I should pursue becoming an officer? I hadnt thought about this until I talked to a friend in the CG last night. I really feel like if I dont give AST a shot, that Im giving up without even trying.

Is there any way to be an officer and then become an AST? I told that this was backwards and not possible. Im hoping I can be told otherwise?

Thanks

To start, no you cannot be an officer and then become an AST.

Yes, being an officer is better pay and being an officer is just on a different level than ASTs but in ways you may not have considered. You will have to decide what is important to you. Except for those officers that get the opportunity to become pilots, very few officers will remain in operational jobs their entire careers or even most of it. Most officers spend a majority of their time behind a desk and are never even a part of a rescue their entire career. There are very limited jobs that allow officers to get into being a part of the action.

On the flip side, you can certainly have a degree and become an AST. You aren't looked down for it. One of the benefits of enlisting is you get to decide what type of job you want to do while as an officer you don't really have that many options. ASTs do a job that most people don't have the drive to do including the officers who are sitting in the front of the aircraft they are about to jump out of.

If you want to be an officer then work to become an officer if you want to be an AST then work to become an AST. It is really that simple.

Good luck.

It's possible to do both - I worked with a number of ASTs that were accepted for OCS. Several of those ASTs became pilots as well. Guess you could say they experienced the best of both worlds.