I am Seaman Apprentice Vega and I want to be a public affairs specialist. I am doing many things in effort to improve my chances of being approved into the rate. I joined the toastmasters club to improve my public speaking, and am taking an online degree in communications. Back in high school, I was also a journalist on the school newspaper for two years. I grabbed a PA2 and PA1 course from the Coast Guard Institute and study them often. I know how to work well with people and computers. It is almost time for me to be allowed to put my name on the list, my secret clearance is put in and in the works and in a few months I will start the screening process.

My essay consists about the story of how I joined the Coast Guard not knowing anything about it, but looking for a foundation in my career and trying to gain independence for myself. In boot camp I lost pounds and got over my fear of deep water, I learned many things about our roles and missions and what the Coast Guard does and what it means to serve my country, I came out a new man, stronger, mature, independent, and I was ready for the adventure my life was about to get.
I ended up in the Coast Guard Institute and my life turned out pretty normal here, but i still always think about the seas and the cutters and the air stations, I want to go out and adventure and see all the Coast Guard has to offer, and I would also like to spread awareness of our existence and what we do to our country, because we should be known just as well as every other branch. On the leave trip back home, I noticed at the park I always played it in my childhood was a MST training center and a few small cutters docked out. I have no idea how I could have missed that. We even had a Coast Guard exchange 9 miles away from my home. The Coast Guard was there all along living so close to me and I never knew. Such irony, I felt like maybe it was destiny for me to end up here.

That is not all but a bit of a summary about what I put in my essay. I feel very confident in my abilities and feel like I would get approved by the rating force master chief. But at the same time I get intimidated at times and second guess myself. I feel like I may waste two years waiting. But I at least want to try because it is what I really want to do; this rate is the one that called out the most to me. I do not want to give up and just end up being another yeoman. (no offense to yeoman's everywhere)

What I always wanted in a job was something different, something where every day has a little or many change of paces, I hate routine and repetition, I want to be challenged daily and be able to use my ability to think. I like change; I am very flexible, charming and sociable.

Well enough about myself... the real point of this is I have always wanted the chance to speak to a PA and ask questions like..
What is PA school like?

I know there is a lot of hard work and many work hours but just how exactly are the work hours?

I am engaged and going to get married soon and by the time I am a PA I know I'll have her with me. Will I have time to spend with her and be able to sustain my marriage and keep it happy?
How much traveling is done exactly, and can my wife come with me sometimes?

Is advancing very slow and/or difficult?
What are examples and scenarios of things i will be doing as a PA3?

I know I am expected to be able to do it all, but is there any certain task that you end up doing more often? (Example: I hear the stereotype of shooting pictures all the time)

What are some of the roles and responsibilities?
Can you tell me what kind of life style a PA lives?

Since I am stationed in the Coast Guard Institute, if and when I graduate from PA school will I be given last pick? And if so what kind of place would I end up in? (I prefer cities, I love cities)

Will I have time to work on college?

I cannot think of any more questions at the moment but I am sure I have tons.

SA Vega,

Thanks for your interest in becoming a Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist.

I will call you shortly to discuss your questions, as well as "what's next" in your quest to be a PA.

- PA1 Kyle Niemi, USCG