Anonymous wrote:Surprised that USCGA is not more popular which DMV kids. West Point, USNA, and USAFA are insanely difficult to get into, and you add on top of that the requirement of a congressional nomination. Not required for USCGA, so by definition less political and more of a meritocracy. Added bonus if serving after graduation at some of the most beautiful places in America and having significantly less risk of having to die for one’s country.

It's paradoxically more selective than the others, that's why. (source: my 7th grader desperately wants to attend and I keep telling him he needs a backup plan)

Surprised that USCGA is not more popular which DMV kids. West Point, USNA, and USAFA are insanely difficult to get into, and you add on top of that the requirement of a congressional nomination. Not required for USCGA, so by definition less political and more of a meritocracy. Added bonus if serving after graduation at some of the most beautiful places in America and having significantly less risk of having to die for one’s country.

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Anonymous wrote:Love the school and the mission. But, you are in the USCG after you graduate. It is not a typical college experience as you are training for your eventual job.

Yes, but the Coasties I know who left the CG after their required time are now things like business owners and attorneys and engineers.

Is being in the USCG after graduation a bad thing?

Not at all. I grew up in the area and my family hosted cadets for years. Some stayed in as career Coasties and others graduated, served their time, and then moved on to other professions.

Coast Guard re-up rates are way, WAY higher than the other branches. People love it.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love the school and the mission. But, you are in the USCG after you graduate. It is not a typical college experience as you are training for your eventual job.

Yes, but the Coasties I know who left the CG after their required time are now things like business owners and attorneys and engineers.

Is being in the USCG after graduation a bad thing?

Not at all. I grew up in the area and my family hosted cadets for years. Some stayed in as career Coasties and others graduated, served their time, and then moved on to other professions.

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Anonymous wrote:First tours of duty after uni are often Hawaii!

Or Alaska.

Alaska needs more junior officers than anywhere else given number of large cutters and extensive operations -- so hawaii is great but expect Alaska

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Anonymous wrote:PP, why would they ever deploy overseas?

I was shocked to find out that the USCG does deploy overseas. From my understanding, they work with Navy ships in areas that have piracy issues. The Navy can't board boats or ships from other nations because it is seen as an act of war. So they send in Coast Guard personal.

And FYI- if you get into IT in the USCG you might be stationed in West Virginia.

And in time of war, the USCG is subordinate to the USN and seeing combat isn't out of the question. The USCG's sole Medal of Honor recipient died at Guadalcanal. It's not a nice, safe job like some of the PP's have implied. Can be, usually is, but it's still one of the armed forces and its reputation as a joke is a bit problematic when it hides the actual risks.

The CG is never, even in times of war, subordinate to the Navy. In the old days the CG was housed in the Department of Transportation. In times of was CG would be moved to Department of Defense. That is no longer the case. CG, even in times of war, stays in Homeland Security.

You're splitting hairs, dude.

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Anonymous wrote:PP, why would they ever deploy overseas?

I was shocked to find out that the USCG does deploy overseas. From my understanding, they work with Navy ships in areas that have piracy issues. The Navy can't board boats or ships from other nations because it is seen as an act of war. So they send in Coast Guard personal.

And FYI- if you get into IT in the USCG you might be stationed in West Virginia.

And in time of war, the USCG is subordinate to the USN and seeing combat isn't out of the question. The USCG's sole Medal of Honor recipient died at Guadalcanal. It's not a nice, safe job like some of the PP's have implied. Can be, usually is, but it's still one of the armed forces and its reputation as a joke is a bit problematic when it hides the actual risks.

The CG is never, even in times of war, subordinate to the Navy. In the old days the CG was housed in the Department of Transportation. In times of was CG would be moved to Department of Defense. That is no longer the case. CG, even in times of war, stays in Homeland Security.

That is completely different from missions. War or peace the CG is often assigned to the Combatant Commands and performs much the same work as the Navy. On those assignments they may be part of a Navy task force and take orders from the Navy. They also deploy with Port Security Teams and in the Horn of Africa have been under US Marine Corps command.

It is an armed force of the United States. Main missions are search and rescue and Homeland Security but they fight --- were in Iraq right from the start.

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Anonymous wrote:DD was a student at large state U near the CG academy and had a HS (female) friend at the academy.
This was recent. These are some things I remember DD saying:
- CG friend could not socialize at large state U (could not go off campus) for the entire 1st year.
- CG friend, as female, could have gained a spot on any CG women's athletic team.
- Both girls were disgusted re: the rule that CG girl was prohibited from dating anyone enlisted.
- CG girl, once allowed to visit large state U, was shocked, shocked to see students sunbathing, playing frisbee, and drinking!

Any officer or officer candidate male or female cannot date enlisted with certain exceptions. Not sure why you are disgusted. Officer can't date enlisted.

PP's post cracked me up. I doubt DD's cadet friend was SHOCKED to see students sunbathing and drinking, lol. She's not oblivious to what college life is like elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:DD was a student at large state U near the CG academy and had a HS (female) friend at the academy.
This was recent. These are some things I remember DD saying:
- CG friend could not socialize at large state U (could not go off campus) for the entire 1st year.
- CG friend, as female, could have gained a spot on any CG women's athletic team.
- Both girls were disgusted re: the rule that CG girl was prohibited from dating anyone enlisted.
- CG girl, once allowed to visit large state U, was shocked, shocked to see students sunbathing, playing frisbee, and drinking!

Any officer or officer candidate male or female cannot date enlisted with certain exceptions. Not sure why you are disgusted. Officer can't date enlisted.

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Anonymous wrote:PP, why would they ever deploy overseas?

I was shocked to find out that the USCG does deploy overseas. From my understanding, they work with Navy ships in areas that have piracy issues. The Navy can't board boats or ships from other nations because it is seen as an act of war. So they send in Coast Guard personal.

And FYI- if you get into IT in the USCG you might be stationed in West Virginia.

And in time of war, the USCG is subordinate to the USN and seeing combat isn't out of the question. The USCG's sole Medal of Honor recipient died at Guadalcanal. It's not a nice, safe job like some of the PP's have implied. Can be, usually is, but it's still one of the armed forces and its reputation as a joke is a bit problematic when it hides the actual risks.

Anonymous wrote:PP, why would they ever deploy overseas?

I was shocked to find out that the USCG does deploy overseas. From my understanding, they work with Navy ships in areas that have piracy issues. The Navy can't board boats or ships from other nations because it is seen as an act of war. So they send in Coast Guard personal.

And FYI- if you get into IT in the USCG you might be stationed in West Virginia.

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Anonymous wrote:How comfortable is it at these military colleges for a gay female?

Difficult, I would expect.

Conservative people are over-represented in the uniformed services.

That’s changing

Not among the officer corps. Sorry.

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Anonymous wrote:How comfortable is it at these military colleges for a gay female?

Difficult, I would expect.

Lesbians have it easier than gay men.

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Anonymous wrote:First tours of duty after uni are often Hawaii!

Or Alaska.

My husband chose Alaska and we absolutely loved our time there. Also got to visit Hawaii during that tour because that’s where the ship was dry docked to be worked on.