recently I was talking to a coastie who has been in the service for years and told me that the boston area isn't that great for Coast Guard
service Men and Women because of the prices, weather and sometimes the people. I payed hardly any attention to this, but when I went on my final trip to the CG recruiter I asked him and he gave me a very political and patriotic answer, but his reaction told me another something else. Is it the work hours because one of the worked as OS in this area while the other was a YN.
I would like to have any input on this since I am interested in working as an OS in this area.

Thanks

There are very few bad 'places' to be stationed. There are places that some like, others don't. There are commands some like, others dont. There are jobs some like, others don't. There are very few places that end up really being more 'expensive' than others. Those places that are significantly more expensive to live (other than housing costs) get more pay to cover it. As far as housing, wherever you are you either get assigned housing or you get an amount of money that will allow you to rent a specific type of dwelling based upon your pay grade and you dependency status. If your pay grade and depenceny status (which simply means you have one or more dependants or you have none) shows you deserve a 2 BR townhouse, you get enough money to cover the avg rent for a two BR townhouse, in that area. If you choose to have dependants, and further choose to have multiple dependents (ie kids) that is your business and the extra money required to house and feed them comes out of your base pay. If you choose to live in a 'smaller' house than you rate - bingo - you keep the extra dough. If you choose to live in a nicer place, that is what your base pay is for.

934, are you now an OS? Are you coming from another unit? I will try to answer your question as best I can:

It is what you make of it. Just like any other place in the coast guard, it has its ups and downs. I know many people who would love to be stationed here but cannot get here. I know I had to do lots of volunteering and brownosing to get this billet out of A-school. I'm originally from FL and it was a great change.
There may not be a huge military presence here, but most Bostonians love the Coast Guard. With red sox games, the celtics, the patriots, world-class skiing, and the cape all close-by, how can you go wrong?
If you're coming to work here, please contact me and i'll give you the rest of the 411.

-OS2

Currently on my way to boot (OCT2), Graduation date Nov 23-28, GOD WILLING, A - school (OS)set for Jan 7, 2008. HUGE,HUGE RED SOX fan, dislike Gagne and the automatics. To watch a Game at Fenway ON TOP OF THE GREEN MONSTER is a lifelong goal since I live in PR. The Boston area is my planned #1 district for my dream sheet. I would like to know the work hours for an OS, price of gas, life style and what does an OS do on daily bases.


Thanks for taking the time to help me.
P.S. I don't like the Patriots am a Raiders fan still in pain for the coin toss.

No real input here I am also a Raider fan word FYI MC is about to give you crap for saying your a Raider fan trust me..

934, Hope you get sent over here. We are always in need of personnel (we are in dire need of them at this time). Keep in mind that you don't fill out a dream sheet until the end of A-school, so mind your p's and q's until then.

You dont pick your billet at A-school either, the class advisors make the selections based on your input and how well you do at school. If you plan on getting one of your top picks, do very well at school (academically), volunteer ALOT (on the weekends), and demonstrate responsibility (i.e, if you're under 21--dont even think about it).

Good luck and have fun (but not too much).

Cj;
not to de-rail this post, but if boston is need of OS's i wonder why i didnt see it on the shopping list. i'm set for tranfer in 08 and wanted to get up there. i've got woods hole down but didnt see boston....hmmm. or are they hurting for thirds more than seconds?
thanks much,

Rob

OPS NML,

I wish I could give you a straight answer, but I cant. We've had about 5 OS2's and OS3's either get out of the CG (or transfer)in the past year:
End of enlistment (2), IS lateral (1), get discharged (1) and HUMS transfer (1). It really isnt that bad of a place here, but we have had some bum luck keeping people. I imagine other Sectors experience the same problems in keeping junior OS personnel.

Since I have been here, every new person (comms watch) has come from A-school.

quote:

Originally posted by Raiderfootball:
No real input here I am also a Raider fan word FYI MC is about to give you crap for saying your a Raider fan trust me..

That's not true! I'll give him a break, he is not yet wordly, trained and educated.

You on the other hand have no excuse!

Plus, as a life long Twins fan, I dislike the SOX almost as much as a Yankees fan does. Only time I would root for the Sox is when they play the Yankees!

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:

quote:

Originally posted by Raiderfootball:
No real input here I am also a Raider fan word FYI MC is about to give you crap for saying your a Raider fan trust me..

That's not true! I'll give him a break, he is not yet wordly, trained and educated.

You on the other hand have no excuse!

Plus, as a life long Twins fan, I dislike the SOX almost as much as a Yankees fan does. Only time I would root for the Sox is when they play the Yankees!

Ahaha Raiders won! Shoulda won last week also.........

Boston is a great city, and it can be as expensive as you make it. If you're ashore, Boston has great opportunities for continuing education. The weather is not that bad. The only negatives are our local elected officials as there are some real libbies up here. If Your home state does not have an income tax, maintain your legal residence there as Mass will gladly take your money. If you want to get underway on a 270, the piers are right downtown so they're real convenient to mass transit and alot of everything the city has to offer. Contact one of the cutters and ask for a welcome aboard package to get more details. Remember that Boston is the hub of the universe and home to the most squared away Coasties on the planet!

Wholley CRAP, it's Dick Pig!

How are you shipmate?

Hey folks - this guy was my first QM1 out of A-School. One hell of a great sailor he is! (At the helm or at the bar )

I have thanked you a couple of times for showing me a great example of what being a good Coastie at work was all about Rich, and I would like to do it again. I owe a lot to both you and Harb's!

Beantown is an awesome city, ask Rich, he'll tell ya. The man took me to the world's smallest bar. Could not tell you what street it is on, but it certainly was small.

I don't know, there's just something wrong with a state that doesn't allow firearms in a vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by Jehoash:
I don't know, there's just something wrong with a state that doesn't allow firearms in a vehicle.

You would find dead people all along the side of the road (in their vehicles, strewn about the guardrails). Maybe if they did allow firearms in vehicles, I would be able to merge lanes succesfully.

All kidding aside, you can still get a license to carry permit (with different levels). It's not the south (or New Hampshire/Maine), but it's not terrible.

Thought I could help with some answers. I grew up an hour north of Boston in NH and was on the cutter Chase in Boston 83-84. Like others have said, the Boston Garden is right around the corner. Fenway is a short train ride away. The Aquarium and Museum of Science are very close.

Fanueil Hall (shops, bars and restaurants) is within walking ditance.

Driving in Boston is an experience....sort of like a rollercoaster. Good luck.

Logan Airport is right across the harbor. Whoever came up with the traffic plan there must have been smoking something but after the first 200 visits, you get use to it.

Me personally, I wouldn't want to live in Boston. I think I'd prefer to live more towards Haverhill, MA though I am sure there's hundreds of places.

Parking?....in Boston....Ya right, that's a good one!

Don

I'm not a big fan of Maine either. These state governments up here in the NE are a little too left for me. I was just in Florida house hunting and saw a truck lifted so high, I could have driven my rental car between tires! You'd never see that in Maine.