Hey all well i have never posted yet on these forums, but i have recently just returned from MEPS, and am happy to say i am fully qualified and planning on shipping out to boot camp on July 8th. My recruiter got me gauranteed district 11. I am very excited. My plans are, to go in as a non rate and place my name on the BM A school waiting list. My recruiter informed me that the A school is changing its curriculum around so right now it is not open. I am still excited to be doing whatever my station needs me to do. I really want to get stationed on a cutter in northern CA. Thanks for all the great information on these forums. If anyone has any good wisdom or infromation they think I could use please share it thanks again.
All I can suggest is when you get to your first unit, remember that you can learn something from everyone, Captain down to the SA's or FA's that have been there.
Congrats. Advice for boot camp. Keep you mind and ears open. Try to keep the mouth closed some. Learn as much as you can. It may seem dumb at the time you are doing it, but most everything has a reason or purpose for later.
For your 1st unit, wherever it may be. Learn from the BM's as much as you can. Learn the paperwork, the computers, how to paint, how to lead. Ask educated questions. If you want to be qualified in it, 1st read the literature about it(goes a longgggggggg way). Something seems wrong, do not hesitate to speak up in a respectable manner.
But the #1 piece of advice - It may sometimes seem like what you are doing sucks and is not what you wanted to do, but you have to start someewhere and IT DOES GET BETTER.
good luck, keep your head on straight, do what you are told to do. If you don't understand, learn about it and ask questions after you try to read about it first. one quote comes to mind: "Don't let one bad decision ruin a great day on the water!"
DON'T go to BM A school. I have met very few good bm's that went to A school. Strike it, you'll learn more from more real life experienced bm's. Good luck at Boot Camp, not that you'll need it, its pretty easy. Keep you head on straight and stay away from the sh@@ bags.
When you get to your first unit get everything done to make Seaman. If you are still waiting for school take out the BM3 course. Study that hard and try to pass it,so when you get to school it will be easier for you. The school teaches more than being a BM. It also teaches leadership.. The CG could use a few more good leaders.
When in basic training I would recommend asking for a patrol boat especially and 87'. I am a BM3 on an 87' and I must say my non rates have a lot of responsibility, and get to do alot because of our small crew size.
As for A school, I will say this as my .02...if you want to go then go. Alot of striking depends on the unit you go to. For instance, I was at an ANT working ATON with one BM3 and a BM1 (not to mention I was a FN and couldn't switch to SN). It would have been real hard to do, and the BM3 wasn't really willing to help so I felt the need to go to school. They teach you the way you are supposed to be taught.
Strike if you want. This is a great idea at large unit like 210' up to 378' where there are many BMs to teach you. I would also have to say be careful of who you learn from.
My opinion as a BM A school product, try and strike if possible. BM school is great, but they focus wayyyyyy to much on navigation (7 weeks) and not enough on the BM type things like splicing, line handling, small boat handling etc (3 weeks), then there was a week of TCT and graduation prep so 11 total. BM school is a great place to learn navigation though.
BM school is 12 weeks now and changed somethings. I hope they added some practical stuff in there and took out some navigation.
Originally posted by countryb90: Hey all well i have never posted yet on these forums, but i have recently just returned from MEPS, and am happy to say i am fully qualified and planning on shipping out to boot camp on July 8th. My recruiter got me gauranteed district 11. I am very excited. My plans are, to go in as a non rate and place my name on the BM A school waiting list. My recruiter informed me that the A school is changing its curriculum around so right now it is not open. I am still excited to be doing whatever my station needs me to do. I really want to get stationed on a cutter in northern CA. Thanks for all the great information on these forums. If anyone has any good wisdom or infromation they think I could use please share it thanks again.
USCG, Aaron
You sound very enthusiastic and excited. Keep this attitude with you in boot camp and throughout your career. That’s the best advice I can give you.
You are making a great choice by going to a cutter as a non-rate and THEN putting your name on the A school list. You will learn the job of a BM hands on and then you will learn it again in a formal environment. That is the best thing you can do for your rating.
Many guys go straight to A school out of Boot and they are generaly completely useless. I know that sounds biased but it’s the truth shipmate.
Good choices so far, stay enthusiastic. (Oh and, dont go signing your name with "USCG" just yet shipmate you got a way to go)
I really have mixed feelings about boot camp straight to A school. I've seen the good and the bad, and the bad is usually an attitude problem that comes with gaining rank so quickly thinking your stuff don't stink, but that's where seniority pops in and gives you a reality check. Keep the negative attention away from you....I would have to say do what you want and like truebm2 said keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open, "be a sponge" and you will go far in your first years. Good luck to you and I wish all the best.
Thanks everyone for your great post. I cant wait to ship to boot, well i know it will be hard but i am excited. Another 4 months and im sure it will go by fast. One question that does come to mind is that when i do the swimming in boot camp, is the treading water for 5 minutes mean you have to keep moving and swimming in place or can you float either way i'll be fine but just wondering. Thanks again yall these forums are very helpful.
you got a way to go)
