quote:
Originally posted by zippo9390:
Hi, I am a third year law student considering applying for DCL into the Coast Guard. I'm wondering if the DCO program is like boot camp. I'm hoping someone could shed some light on what the five week program will entail. Thanks
(A disclaimer: I'm a USCGA grad with no personal experience with the DCO program, aside from hearing the experiences of a couple of officers who worked for me & classmates who served as OCS/DCO instructors.)
The DCO program is a 5-week indoctrination into life as an officer. It does not closely resemble boot camp, because the aims of recruit training are far different than those expected for DCO training. The training entails a crash course in life as an officer, including learning the roles & missions of the Coast Guard, uniforms, basic military discipline, and other very basic administrative topics. That being said, the Coast Guard is a military service. Basic military discipline is also a very important part of the DCO program.
As an aside...
(Second disclaimer: I am NOT a USCG Staff Judge Advocate, however, I'm a recent law school grad with several years of both active duty and reserve time.)
If you're interested in the DCL program, I highly encourage you to contact the closest USCG district to where you live. The Staff Judge Advocate office at each district can give you more info about life as an attorney in the USCG. Since the SJA (JAG) program in the Coast Guard is so small, contacting that office will give you a valuable perspective on what you could conceivably be doing.
LT O
