I graduate from college this July with a marketing degree (blah). I am highly interested in the OCS program for the Coast Guard. Thing is, the recruiter told me the next OCS won't be until next year probably, or maybe in May (not sure if he referred to this May or next year's May). Anyways, should I just wait that long? Or should I enlist and try to go OCS afterwards?

Another question I have - Law enforcement. That's what I'm interested in. How likely is it that I'll get to do something active dealing with law enforcement or interdiction as an officer in the USCG? I don't want to push papers.

Any information will help, thank you very much!

quote:

I don't want to push papers

Then don't try to be an officer. That is their primary purpose, no matter what their field is.

So would it be wise to enlist then? I don't know if I can live off of 21k a year..

Hundreds of thousands of military members do.

About the only expenses that are not 'taken care of' by the service:

1. Routine transportation
2. Civilian Clothing

quote:

Originally posted by 20886250:
So would it be wise to enlist then? I don't know if I can live off of 21k a year..

Most people enter into “service” to “serve”

If you’re looking for big $ look elsewhere.

If you’re looking for an interesting, enjoyable, challenging and rewarding experience then maybe “service” in the Coast Guard will suit you.

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve in the Coast Guard. When you find a job that will pay the salary you require for your standard of living please ensure that you pay taxes so we can continue to have a great time.

Good luck to you in whatever you end up doing.

Cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
Hundreds of thousands of military members do.

About the only expenses that are not 'taken care of' by the service:

1. Routine transportation
2. Civilian Clothing

OP-- be cautious, however-- if you have student loans, those will NOT be covered or deferred by virtue of your military service. That's an added expense that you will be on the hook to take care of.

Also, there is NO WAY to guarantee where you would end up in the CG as an Officer without additional specialized qualifications. You may get sent to a unit that does nothing but 'law enforcement' as you understand it. It may be that you get sent to a unit that has nothing to do with those missions whatsoever.

If you do get selected to become an Officer, you will be doing a lot of paperwork. Officers are expected to do that, regardless of how high-speed their primary job is.

I'm thinking I should maybe enlist then as soon as I graduate college..and then maybe see how I like it and see if I want to apply to OCS? How does that sound? I think I might have some "fun" going in enlisted. I have no student loans.

quote:

I think I might have some "fun" going in enlisted.

The most fun and rewarding jobs in the CG are those held by enlisted personnel. I was encouraged to apply for OCS and decided against it for that very reason. Plus there's a lot less politics when you are enlisted.

OCS is not a "gimme" in the Coast Guard. Once you go enlisted, you may find that it's extremely difficult to get into OCS. If you determine that you'd like to be an officer someday, it's probably a better idea to focus on getting into OCS as a civilian.

quote:

Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:
The most fun and rewarding jobs in the CG are those held by enlisted personnel. I was encouraged to apply for OCS and decided against it for that very reason. Plus there's a lot less politics when you are enlisted.

That's a matter of perspective.

It may be that a BM3/2 coxswain at a small boat station has the best job in the Coast Guard.

Or being the officer in command of coxswains, boarding officers, etc may also be the best job in the Coast Guard.

Or being a senior officer, charting the future of the Coast Guard and shaping national policy, running large-scale operations, etc may be the best job in the Coast Guard.

Different things are important at different stages in one's career. The typical officer 'career path' (if there is one anymore) is far different from that of a typical enlisted member's career path (if there is one). That's the point the OP needs to see. One is only 'better' than the other in terms of an individual's perspective.

quote:

One is only 'better' than the other in terms of an individual's perspective.

That is true. Some people really enjoy manning a desk......

What are my chances of getting a law enforcement job as an officer? Obviously if the chances were good, I'd wait around and try to do OCS. Otherwise, it might make more sense to go enlisted and suck it up with the pay cut. Would it be easier to go into law enforcement/interdiction as enlisted?

If you continue to focus on the pay aspect you will be dissapointed. You also should take into consideration free medical, dental guaranteed pay, 3 hots and a cot. Don't forget the GI Bill too. If you come into the CG with the attitude you are taking a pay cut as an enlisted member you will be getting off on the wrong foot.

Just my .02 cents

ISC

Well said akwaman...no better way to say it.

20886250: You said that you don't want to push papers and you don't think you can live on an enlisted person's pay. Ok...not sure that's the most realistic expectation for any job. Next time you post, I recommend considering the dignity of your audience a little more. You are talking among people who have devoted their lives to serving their country. You made a good observation: junior enlisted personnel don't make a lot of money. Reality check - there are enlisted people serving all around the world standing the watch and defending your freedom at this very moment in time!!! Not very polite to say that their income/standard of living doesn't suit your lifestyle.

Regardless of whether you enlist or go to OCS, when you join, you will be at an entry level position. You don't go to your recruiter's office, get on a bus to flight school and graduate as a Commander, then fly all day with zero other responsibilities - see what I'm getting at? There is a lot of hard work in the middle.

There are many benefits of military service; steady job, steady pay, good medical benefits, travel, accruing sea stories, etc. The number #1 benefit, however, is having the opportunity to serve.

It's not very hard to get a job related to Law Enforcement...there are many aspects of Law Enforcement & Regulation we do - Counter Drug, Fisheries Resource Management, Pollution Prevention (and related inspections and enforcement), Homeland Security, etc...I've even done Anti-Piracy Operations off Somalia. There are plenty of positions out there in Law Enforcement.

Definitely not a bad idea to have some enlisted time under your belt; though not required to apply to OCS, I can't really see how it would hurt your application if you were to enlist and do really well. I would argue that if you enlisted, go to your unit after boot camp, perform your butt off and earn a great endorsement after having proven yourself, you would be very competitive.

Ex_CG_GM: It's all a matter of prospective...I don't typically "man a desk." A portion of an officer's duties are administrative in nature (depending on how operational that officer's job is), but it is incorrect to assert that officers exist to do paperwork. You are commenting on what it's like to be an officer; I think that someone who has not been an officer doesn't have the best insight to offer.

My personal feelings about the administrative duties I have: 99% of my admin workload is personnel related. Although sometimes tedious, having the ability to take care of my people is absolutely awesome and the best privelage I could ever possibly have (i.e. giving that strong performer a kick ass endorsement which greatly assists that person in getting the assignment that they really wanted, writing an award for someone who deserves it and convincing my superiors to approve the award, being a catalyst in getting someone's personal affairs straightened out, sending a newbie off to A-school or setting a motivated learner up with a C-school or other training that they really want...the list goes on and on).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cdaddy1556,

quote:

Originally posted by 20886250:
I'm thinking I should maybe enlist then as soon as I graduate college..and then maybe see how I like it and see if I want to apply to OCS? How does that sound? I think I might have some "fun" going in enlisted. I have no student loans.

The marketing field is a highly competitive one, and unless you have been working in marketing for some time now, I doubt you'll be doing anything than answering phones at some agency... That's IF you can find a job right now.

There are a lot of people with degrees joining because they can't get a job in their field. Even if you are making 18-19k a year, it's the job security that matters. If you are a go getter, you'll be making close to 50k in no time (no time being less than 4 years). It's up to you really how fast you make rank.

I joined as enlisted and the Coast Guard paid for me to finish my degree in management. Right now I am working on a PhD in Management of Engineering and Technology. I keep OCS in the back of my head as an option, as well as the DCE program, but for now, I prefer to climb the enlisted ladder. Personally, aiming for the CWO to LT program, and making it, would be the highlight of my career...

In the end, do what you feel is right for you.

quote:

Ex_CG_GM: It's all a matter of prospective...I don't typically "man a desk." A portion of an officer's duties are administrative in nature (depending on how operational that officer's job is), but it is incorrect to assert that officers exist to do paperwork. You are commenting on what it's like to be an officer; I think that someone who has not been an officer doesn't have the best insight to offer.

My personal feelings about the administrative duties I have: 99% of my admin workload is personnel related. Although sometimes tedious, having the ability to take care of my people is absolutely awesome and the best privelage I could ever possibly have (i.e. giving that strong performer a kick ass endorsement which greatly assists that person in getting the assignment that they really wanted, writing an award for someone who deserves it and convincing my superiors to approve the award, being a catalyst in getting someone's personal affairs straightened out, sending a newbie off to A-school or setting a motivated learner up with a C-school or other training that they really want...the list goes on and on).

Lieutenant- Note the winking emoticon at the end of my post......meaning it was made in jest.

My uncle retired from the CG as a Captain after 42 years in. My brother retired as a W-4 after 30. My niece's husband did the same. You are right, I've never been an officer. That does not mean I am not aware of many of their responsibilities. As I pointed out in an earlier post, I was encouraged to attend OCS and decided not to do so. I still don't "do" politics well.

I have managed people for over 30 years in the civilian sector. Hardware and Software engineers, professionals in Configuration Management and other professional disciplines. As a result I am aware of both the rewards and frustrations of leadership.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ex_CG_GM,

Craig are you still in transit to your new job?

Chris,

Yep...still enroute...in Pre-deployment Training right now (absolutely the funnest and best training I've had). I leave for my long trip in early May. I'm really excited about the job and pumped up about the mission.

Craig

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cdaddy1556,

I'm curious about your definition/view of law enforcement? Exactly which part of law enforcement are you looking at?

I know of very few entry level jobs in either the Enlisted or Officer field that don't have a law enforcement slant to them.

To the OP-
It sounds like you may want to look at something other then the military... Have you looked at Customs/Border Patrol or some of the local LE agencies? As many have said, getting into what most think of a law enforcement career can be a hit or miss propositon.

BTW- as an E7 with 15 years in, I make quite a bit more than most entry or middle level marketing people...