Hi I am a potential recruit and this particular rating BM is on my top three ratings list, and I was just curious to know from yall's opinions since you are BMs; what are the best things about being an BM, and do yall get to travel alot, or are you predominantly stationed onshore?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

As far as traveling or being ashore, it is about 50%-50%. What is good about our job is the learning oportunities. You not only need to know BM, but you pretty much know a little something about every rate. you also need to be a good leader. We are an elisted command rate. It is great to hear that SAR alarm go off in the middle of the night, and go make those engines scream outside the harbor to find someone who disperately needs our help life or death, the feeling you get when you pull them from the water is like non other. The law enforcement is ok although many BM's have mixed feelings in regards to that.

One of my best memories was a case that wasn't exactly the level of boat fire or sinking. A disabled boat in the Everglades behind Key Largo. The father swam to shore in the dark, over two miles, to get help.

We searched and found the boat drifting to the north away from the Keys with a mom and a son all of 3 yrs old maybe. Mom was hysterical, but the little boy was smiling away. The MK3 and I that ran the case in an RHI felt very good after that case. That was certainly one of the kind of SAR cases that I joined the USCG to do. Though I did work boat fires and vessels taking on water, I will never forget how great it felt to reunite that mom and son with Dad who really took some risks in swimming to shore at night.

Dad was the "hero" that night....we just helped.

Don

Thanks for the feedback *guys* I have a better insight to the duties, and know a bit more on how it is to be a BM.
~Now all I have to do is take the ASVAB and see where I rank