To all Coast Guard wives,
My husband is currently serving in the Army but his re-enlistment is coming up. We've been toying with the idea of switching to Coast Guard. However, I'd like to know a few things.

How long of deployments do you typically experience? How far apart are they?

I am a teacher.... do you think I'll be able to get a job too?

Thanks for the info. We want to make the most informed decision we can from people who actually live it... not just recruiters.

He should talk to the Coast Guard First. They are the smallest branch, no one is getting out, they have more than enough applicants annually and are not to keen on priors right now, unless the skill directly translates into something they need (according to the resident CG recruiter on the joining the military boards). Not trying to shoot you down, just something he needs to be aware of before banking on the service.

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyWifeCortney:
To all Coast Guard wives,
My husband is currently serving in the Army but his re-enlistment is coming up. We've been toying with the idea of switching to Coast Guard. However, I'd like to know a few things.

How long of deployments do you typically experience? How far apart are they?

I am a teacher.... do you think I'll be able to get a job too?

Thanks for the info. We want to make the most informed decision we can from people who actually live it... not just recruiters.

CG wife here:

to answer your questions: the deployments vary dramatically- from a few days to up to 6 months at a time-
on average boats get underway for 1-3 months ata time- every few months-
Air crews from 1 day to 3 months ( depends on if they are attached to one of the boats that deploy for 3 months).
the CG is a sea going service and every propective new recruit needs to understand that most rates will go to sea at some time in thier career.

there are A LOT of spouses as teachers- all they do is get licensed in the state in which they move-


to answer questions you did not ask:

not all ranks in the Army will transfer to the CG- if he can get in he will most likely lose rank- from say E5-E3- do not think he will be an exception- losing rank is a normal process.
the CG is not going to pay the member to perform a job they no nothing about, if he does not have a rate that transfers- he will have to attend A school from 8 weeks to 24 weeks- depending on what he decided to do.

you will be allowed to PCS only if the school is longer than 20 weeks.

housing: we are a small branch- we do not have housing at every base- we piggy back from other branches all the time- or sometimes there is a base that is not close to another branch and we live on the economy-

Commisaries and exchanges: we have hardly any of our own again we piggy back off the closest base-

medical: most times again we piggy back - using other branches MTF's or we are ttricare prime ad get medical on the economy-

work schedules: most members do not work a 9-5 day- some are 6-1, some are 7- 4- some are 48 on ( at work don't get to come home at all) and 48 off. most every enlisted member will have to stand some kind of duty- sometimes 1 time every 4 days ( that is where the go to work in the morning- spend the night work all day and then come home) to once every 11-14 days.
it is not unusual for them to work 12-16 hour days and in certian locations be on call 24/7 for 5 months-

Advancement: varies by rate- some are very fast- he would be able to make E4 with in a yr after going to a school- some it may take 2-3 yrs-
( this is from the graduation date not enlistment date ) since there can be a yr wait for some A school waiting lists.

I sound very negative - but it is not all bad-

we live near a small CG base- and we use the navy base for everything- even medical- we bought a home but would have been able to live in navy housing here if we wanted too.Dh has been in 17 yrs and we are looking at retirement in a few more yrs.
the CG IS a small branch and with it the commands are smaller- IMO more family oriented.

HTH's let me know if you have anymore questions!!!

CPO Kalbach, a USCG Recruiter is good at answering any questions reference his chances of being able to switch services.

USCG Recruiter's Desk here on military.com
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/2151997295

Good luck,

Don
USCG 82-88