Hi, I’m looking into joining the coast guard and was interested in the IT rate but I have no real experience with anything IT related. And I was also hoping someone could fill me in on alittle bit more on what an average day is like for an IT.

In a nutshell IT's install, troubleshoot and repair computer networking, phone systems, and in some cases public address systems.

In addition some IT's do system adminstration work and staff computer help desks. IT's are typically found at support detachments and support units throughout the US (including Puerto Rico, Guam, Alaska and Hawai'i) and on some larger cutters.

You don't have to have to know about computers, phones, or networks to become an IT - but you do have to want to learn about and work on such things. You will be taught the basics when you go to "A" school.

As mentioned in the above post, the cutters include 210, 270, 378, NSC and bouy tenders in Hawaii and Alaska. Depending on where you end up being stationed, you could work a help desk and solve computer and telephone issues, be on a ship and solve computer, telephone, and PA system problems, possibly work at TISCOM and work with hardware and software, work at a CAMS and support the computer, telephone and network systems.

Those guys let you know where we are stationed, and the type of equipment you will be working on.

As a junior IT, as in IT3 or IT2, stationed at an ESD, which is where the majority are, you will be taking care of user help tickets on site and remotely. ITs and ETs spend a bunch of time on the road getting to the stations in their ESD's AOR, working on their assigned tickets, and driving back to the shop.

For example, at ESD New Orleans, it is a 3 hour trip to Station Grand Isle. You may be assigned tickets to take care of down there, so you would come to the shop, grab the keys to the van and everything you need, drive down, take care of the work, and drive back. It can make for a long day, but not all units are that far, but most ESD's to have stations that are ways out.