Hello, I just returned from MEPS, passed my physical and scored well on the asvab. I meet again with my recruiter next week. I'm looking at going either PS or BM. Not sure yet what is available in the Great Lakes area. What I want to know is: What is the PS rating like? I did some research but I wanted to hear from people doing the job. I like SAR and BM would also be a good fit, but the more I look at PS the more I'm interested in it (PSU, MSST, MSRT) ect. I have 12 years experience as a firefighter/medic. Any info would be a great help, I've always heard "chose your rate, chose your fate". Thanks
If you reside in the southwest corner of mainland MI (i.e. not the U.P.), you may want to look at being a PS at STA Calumet Harbor in southern Chicago.
There is a Harbor Patrol Detachment there made up of Reserves, sort of a Reserve MSST. They augment the station, but have their own security missions when needed. They have their own boats and weapons, separate from the STA.
I heard they were short of PS's and the local recruiter was looking for some. We just hired a PS1 away from them.
The only thing is, if it's a lengthy commute for you (considered over 50 miles), it's on your dime. Long commutes are voluntary. I know. I commuted five hours (one way) to drill for a year at a unit in OH earlier in my career.
Thanks, I'm keeping my options open. There's a PSU close to me in Port Clinton and a few small boat stations close also. I'll consider a longer commute if the opportunity is right. I'll be meeting with my recruiter this week and find out whats available.
Originally posted by bnk183: Thanks, I'm keeping my options open. There's a PSU close to me in Port Clinton and a few small boat stations close also. I'll consider a longer commute if the opportunity is right. I'll be meeting with my recruiter this week and find out whats available.
If you're planning to go to a PSU, be prepared to deploy. If you want to do SAR, go to a small boat station. There's a program in the summer called "Summerstock" and the boating in the Great Lakes area explodes like 500%+ from winter to summer. There's going to be a lot of SAR and LE up there. Summerstock, for reservists, will be TAD for a few months, but I heard it's very fun! At my PSU, we have firefighters, police officers, plumbers, engineers, all sorts of people with all sorts of different rates! Our mission is different though, so if you want to go PS at a PSU, just make sure you do your research! You can also be a BM at a PSU but don't expect any SAR.
