I am interested in joining the USCG as a HS. I want to know first-hand, what life is like as a HS. I plan on being a Firefighter/Paramedic following my career as a USCG HS.
- Are you trained for Emergency Medicine, or is your training closer to that of a Nurse?
- Do you like your Rate? What is the common term for a HS? Is it a Corpsman, like the Navy's?
- What are the different deployment opportunities as a HS?
Sorry for all the questions, but often its not always the best idea to ask the recruiter.
I hope you realize that you've opened a can of worms with your questions. Answers are going to vary depending on each corpsman's tour, of course, but I can give you my two cents.
I've been an HS for just about 2 years and I love it. I should warn you right now that our rate is a very popular one and it is going to take some time and patience to even make it into school, and once you do you'll need even more patience when it comes to advancement.
I was, and am, stationed on a 378 right out of a-school, which isn't the norm. Needless to say my experiences have been drastically different than my classmates who went to clinics.
On the ship there are two corpsmen responsible for the crew of about 170. It is certainly a lot of responsibility, but also a great learning environment. You will learn more and do more on a ship. Some duties include daily sick-call, inspections, lots of paperwork, preventative medicine and the occasional emergency.
At the very basic level you are an EMT, but your day to day responsibilites are that of a nurse practioner.
If you have anymore questions leave them on here, and if it's a lot I can always give you my email address.
Since completing HS school in January 1995, I have to say that I love every minute of being an HS. I have never had a dull moment. As one challenge is met, another is presented.
I think that 14626317 has given a fairly accurate assessment.
Like everything, the HS rate gives what you put into it. I have known Corpsmen who have been underway on a cutters most of their careers as well as those who have never stepped foot on one. The Coast Guard is great in that if you want to do something, sooner or later the opportunity will arise.
As far as HS Tour lengths are concerned, they are the same as everyone else's. There is a chance that depending on your time in service when you attend school, you may have to extend your service time to get the school. You should talk to your recruiter about the specifics.
- If you wanted to get your college degree while working as a HS, would you find it impossible to get a college degree while serving in the Coast Guard?
- As an HS, do you have the opportunity to serve shore duty, and work on an ambulance or something?
- Do you get respect from your crew for being the Corpsman?
1. You would be strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Coast Guard's Tuition Assistance Program, which covers 100% of your tuition charges for courses you would enroll in. There are some limitations to the number classes that can be taken at one time. Now, the difficulty in attending night school would depend upon the type of unit you are assigned to. Of course things could be very taxing if you were away for 3 month stints on a Cutter. However, if you were assigned to a land unit, there should be no problem in completing your courses.
2. Most HS Billets are land based. Some units have an on base ambulance that duty personnel man for on-base emergencies(I think that there are only a few larger bases still have these).
3. All positions within the Coast Guard are necessary and worthy of respect, from the Commandant down to the newest Seaman Apprentice. Without one, the other would not be able to function. It is not the position or the rank that instills respect in your peers. It is manner in which a person performs the mission and carries themselves that makes a person a respected and integral member of a unit.
The corpsman is considered to be an operational necessity. The HS billet is one that a Cutter would not go underway without being filled. The rate is one that requires a high level of responsibility and self accountability. Often times in the operational world, the HS is the only one on scene with the needed medical training. The Corpsman often holds the welfare and often the lives of many personnel in his/her hands. If you place dedication into your job and the shipmates in your charge, it can be a very fulfilling job. If you neglect even the smallest of details, it can bring you the biggest nightmare. Again, it gives what you put into it.
About your school question, I have been in the CG for 3 yrs and i am an HS. I have been stationed at an airstation for 2 yrs, which is great and i take full advantage of being able to go to school. i only need 6 more classes to get my associates degree and i have not paid one penny out of my pocket, not even for books because the CG has grants that will cover those. Overall I am happy being a HS in the CG. Good luck with your decision.
As of right now, I have 20 College Semester Units. I have been taking college classes since my Junior year. 20 Units of College credit should easily get me an Associates Degree in the Coast Guard. I'm really shooting for my Bachelor's.
As far as Medical Skills go, I ought to be successful in the EMT A-School in Petaluma. I was an Explorer with my Local Fire Department, and I had a little bit of time with patient contact.
Will telling my Recruiter these things better my chances of getting the HS rating, or does it solely depend on the ASVAB score?
Your experience with the Explorers is great in that you are familiar with the EMS setting. However, the only things that will get you into HS school are:
1. Obtaining the needed ASVAB Scores 2. Keeping out of trouble when you are a non-rate and on the waiting list.
Do these two things and you will get to school... that is a promise.
Based upon your academic experience, you should do fine in HS and EMT school. Just keep in mind that you are there for training, not to party, and you will be just fine.
Don't quote me on this as I'm not a recruiter and I'm no longer in the USCG but I think with your college credits and explorer experience you may be able to graduate boot camp as an E-3 and thus be able to get your name on the A school list a bit quicker, which will help out with #2 listed above! Good luck! I was an HS for 6 years and am still in healthcare almost 20 years later! -Jeff
PO Reck I'd be interested to hear some of your experiences while attached to PATFORSWA as an HS, it sounds like a unique opportunity? -Jeff
Originally posted by rxjeff: Don't quote me on this as I'm not a recruiter and I'm no longer in the USCG but I think with your college credits and explorer experience you may be able to graduate boot camp as an E-3 and thus be able to get your name on the A school list a bit quicker
That's awesome. I was also in AFJROTC for 3 Years. I read somewhere that the Coast Guard will promote me to E-3 just for completing JROTC.
I actually commanded Color Guard for a year or so. We took 1st place in Drill Team & 3rd Place in Color Guard. (Unit # was CA-911)
Good luck at your meeting with the recruiter. Remember it's not what can the USCG do for you, but what are you bringing to the table for the USCG? So many these days are more concerned with why they are not getting an enlistment bonus, why they have to wait so long to get a slot for boot camp or A school, or why it takes a recruiter a little time to get back to them, rather than focusing on the great opportunity to serve in the USCG that may or may not be offered to them -Jeff
Yikes. I found out the waiting list for HS "A" School is between 12-18 months. It's worth the wait to me anyways! By the way, when you sign the papers to enlist, what happens during that period of time? Do you have to pick a different rating? Do you still get paid or what?
The way things typically go is that you complete boot camp. You receive your first paycheck upon completion of boot camp, as well as be assigned to your first unit as an "unrated" member. Based on the the type of unit you are assigned, you will be completing tasking, as directed. When you make Seaman(E3) you can then place your name on a school list. That is when the 12-18 month wait begins. 15 years ago, the wait was about the same. I made it to school in less than a year.
If you have the "A" school guaranteed to you in writing from your recruiter, then you will be placed into the next class convening after your completion of Boot Camp. I did not think that they were guaranteeing this rate though.
This sounds like something you should be talking to your recruiter about, as I dont want to misinform you. Programs change just about daily these days.
Chris, as was said above, 12-18 months is probably a ballpark estimate of how long the wait is, and in reality is not all that bad! Back in the late 80's the wait was 24-48 months just to get to school. Many of my classmates were close to finishing their first tour before even getting to school. One way you can get an estimate of the wait is to figure out how many students they are taking per class(perhaps an instructor will chime in here with an accurate #) It looks like there's 142 people on the list. So hypothetically lets say each class is 25 students, they have 3 classes slated for AY08, that means approx 75 people per year are making it to the schoolhouse, so as of Jan08 it would take about 6 class cycles(4 months each) for the last person on the list to make it to petaluma to begin school, NOW add on the required 4 months at your first unit before you can put your name on the list, and any CO unit-specific requirements and you'll have an idea of how long the wait will be. Of course classes may be added or dropped and people may be added or dropped from the A school waiting list for various reasons so your mileage may vary! In the interim you can study your MRN E-4/5(I know they're not called that anymore, PQE maybe?)and any course materials made available to you ahead of time. Good luck in your pursuit of becoming a USCG HS! -Jeff
My replacement recently showed up from Petaluma and his class had 14 people in it on the first day, 12 finished. Also, the first class of the year was canceled. I am not sure if that is due to the fact that the curriculum is being reworked or because we are busting at the seams with HS3s.
Chris, you certainly had the right attitude when you said "it's worth the wait to me anyways". If you want it, definitely sit out the waiting period. Nothing is better than going to work everyday and actually enjoying your job. Just curious, which recruiting office are you working with?
Good luck! I was an HS for 6 years and am still in healthcare almost 20 years later! -Jeff
