I'm looking for information on becoming a PA. Would i have to get on a waiting list for "A" School and become a 3rd again? Im currently on the list to make OS1 and that would not be fun. I was wondering if there is any way I can lateral.
My number one hobby is Photography. I've been shooting for about 2 years now. Out on ships ive taken pictures of the facilities, bridges, tugs, prominent land marks and coast guard units for my current unit "Vessel Traffic Service, NY. I've submitted my photos to the training officer who prints them and posts my photos in the training room, using them to train new individuals about the AOR.
I've also done photography for the NY Mets, friends and family. People have been really beginning to notice my talent so I'd like to use it in the Coast Guard.
Any Information would help out a lot, Thanks
Mike.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: nycityinsomniac,
Originally posted by nycityinsomniac: Im looking for information on becoming a PA. Would i have to get on a waiting list for "A" School and become a 3rd again? Im currently on the list to make OS1 and that would not be fun.... Out on ships ive taken pictures of the Facilities, bridges, tugs, prominent land marks and coast guard units for my current unit "Vessel Traffic Service, NY. ... People have been really beginning to notice my talent so I'd like to use it in the Coast Guard.
Any Information whould help out a lot, Thanks
Mike.
I'm sure your pics are great. But I'm thinking it takes more than just being a good photographer to be a good PA........ like writing skills? May I suggest you work on that a little??
I bet if you contacted your local PA shop, they would be more that happy to turn you in the right direction. Better yet, a recruiter. They would know if there are even any billets available. My guess is all the PA billets are filled. There has to be an open billet for you to lateral into.
You definitely picked a tough career path, but optimistically it can be done. A lateral to PA from OS is not very likely. Like duckcop said there has to be an open billet. PA is a small rating even smaller at the PA1 level where its looking you'd want to lateral. That being said it also has to be approved through your chain and I believe the RFMC. That being said with the large shortage in the OS rating i'm not sure they'll be too quick to sign papers to loose a member. And remember to lateral you have to be able to perform all duties upto and including the rank you intend to lateral, ie. you'd have to take all required tests and complete the PQS. But of the lateral doesn't work you could get on the A school list. But by the time you went to school you would be a seasoned OS1 and probably not willing to take the drop to a slow moving rating as an E-4. Just some things to think about if you havent already. Its a very complex deal and you should (if you haven't yet) talk to your supervisors in depth to what you really want to do.
Ok I feel like an idiot after reading what I wrote. Obviously grammar is an important aspect of being a journalist and I'm really not as bad as it looks. I was in a rush to type that because I was coming up on the end of my hour work break. I do appreciate the advice you guys are giving and I will contact my local PA office or recruiter to get more information.
If you have trouble becoming a PA in the CG there is life outside the CG if you really want to be a professional photographer, you may want to consider a federal employer some of them will allow you to transfer your time in service and apply it to there retirement policy and offer similar benefits of the military. http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/s...otographer&pg=1&re=0
Not to crush your dreams, but it ain't gonna happen.
As mentioned above, you can fill out the request, and your command can endorse it any way they like. (but they have NO SAY in the approval or denial). The primary parties involved are the two RFMCs and the two AOs. Sorry, but as said above, your rating is way to short on bodies, and will be for several more years, to let anyone out of rating to another one. ESPECIALLY to a non-critical one.
Not as strongly, but possibly yes, to a degree. Right now, the ME rating technically only has 3 of it's 1000+ (as of January) billets filled, so they are a bit more critical than we are. We'll have to see how many people overall apply and how many OSs apply.
Mike, I don't know what the requirements are to lateral over, but from the other posts it sounds like it might be hard for you to get out of the OS rate. But besides that, the PA rate is starting to lock up again. I'm a PA in D1 and was just told the other day that HQ is only going to send two active duty non rates to A school this year because we're so overbilleted right now.
Also, a big misunderstanding with our rate is that our primary job is to take photos. I wish that was true but I'd say its actually only about 20 percent of the job. We spend most of our time working with the media and are getting pushed more and more to do video now instead of photos. For the job, you need a strong understanding of news journalism and media relations. Photo stuff kinda comes after that.
But the good thing is that you can still use your skills for the Coast Guard. I don't know where you're stationed, but we're always begging operational units to send us photos when they have things going on. There's so few of us that its hard for us to be there to document all the awesome things the units are doing so we often ask for help. But especially for SAR cases, since its usually impossible for us to be on scene when the case happens. If you're in NY, reach out to the PADET there. The number is (212) 668-7114. They can tell you how to get CG photos to them so that they can push them out to the media or wherever they would fit.
Sorry for the bad news about our little rate, but I hope the info helps.
Just another piece of advice. I wouldn't be out there taking pictures of critical infrastructure such as facilities, bridges and commercial vessels. I get about 100 suspicious activity reports a week on you guys.
Good luck though and make OS1 maybe you'll change your mind as stay around awhile.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by FISTPHILA: Just another piece of advice. I wouldn't be out there taking pictures of critical infrastructure such as facilities, bridges and commercial vessels. I get about 100 suspicious activity reports a week on you guys. QUOTE]
