Okay, I sorta asked a similar question in another section, but I thought I'd ask it here too. So I hope it doesn't count as a double-post or anything!

I am an 18 year old female, currently in my second semester of community college with an very high GPA. I have never really considered joining any branch of the military before (for a long time, I was gonna be a veterinarian), but lately I have been very seriously considering the Coast Guard.

I had been thinking about getting my A.S. and getting certified as an EMT or Paramedic. But, of course, now that I am considering the CG, things are changing. I think I may like to be an HS/medic in the Coast Guard, if at all possible. So would finishing up school and getting certified as an EMT help me reach that goal at all? Or should I just enlist without the certification or any more school?

Basically, I just want to know what I can do to best increase my chances of doing this, even if I do have to wait forever on the waiting list for "A" school. It's something I think I really want to do.

If I do decide for sure that I want to join, then that is when I will talk to a recruiter. I just don't want to yet, as I'm not entirely sure my parents will be overly thrilled with my decision. ;-)

So thanks for any help here and if anyone can offer anymore comments or advice, I'd appreciate it. I'm still trying to learn more about things and getting comments from experienced people who have been there would be beneficial, I think.

Thanks,
Caz

Caz, Sounds to me like you have your head on straight and really researching your options. No parent will be upset with that line of thinking.

HS is a great rate. The most important one out there, ask any other HS. Part of HS "A" School is the 3 weeks of EMT-Basic. So with graduation from A school you have the EMT already in your tool box. You will be given the opportunity to take the NREMT at the end of your 3 week EMT school.

If you go ahead and enlist after getting the certification, you will add a great benefit to your unit having that experience already. That is your decision though.

Talk to a recruiter, find out all your options, sit down with your parents and discuss everything. You will make the right decision. If I can be of any assistance in answering further questions about HS "A" School feel free to write me. I'll put you in touch with new HS3's in the field that have dealt with the same dilemma over the last couple of years and maybe they can help you with some further insight.

In the meantime, view this website and all the links within it. It might help you even more.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/tcpet/hsschool/index.shtm

V/r,

HSC Elliott roger.a.elliott@uscg.mil

Thank for the advice. I think I probably will get certified as an EMT before I enlist, though I will make sure to talk to the recruiter about it. And I imagine my parents, if they're not thrilled about by decision, will eventually come around.

I appreciate the help and also the link. It was really helpful too. I guess I am going to start looking into getting into some of the EMT courses at school, but you will probably hear more questions from me as time goes on. I'm sure I'll have plenty to ask!

And if you could put me in touch with some HS3's, that'd be really great. I'd probably like to ask them a few questions too.

Anyway, thanks again!
Caz

Hi I'm an HS3, and an Instructor over here at EMT School, feel free to email or give me a call anytime you have a question.

anthony.m.gillespie@uscg.mil
707-765-7039

Caz,

Take him up on that phone offer. You will get the best word.

Okay, I might do that. Thanks!