i want to join the coast guard

[SERprise]

there is also national guard.

[Reelscreamer]

Well for me I am on top of the fence looking at both sides! I have been in the US Navy for 10 1/2 years and now I am looking at going into the Coast Guard! I have 2 years to decide because that is as long as I have left on this enlistment! If you would like to talk or anyone for that matter I am always free to shoot them straight and not BS them like they might get a lil from the recruiter because they need to make deals!

Jeremy

[Randy Stinchcomb]

2 other things that come to mind:
this is what we were taught back in basic's in 1977, so I dont know if this info still stands......
the active duty personnel in the US Coast Guard is smaller than the NYC Police department and of all the armed services the US Coast Guard has/had the highest divorce rate

sometimes, I'd wished I'd stayed in but I may not have ever meet my wife Barbara and be in the position Im in now.......No regreats at all, it was an excitting 5 year tour

[stevo75]

Does any one here know how the reserve system works is it just like marines/army/navy/air force reserve? Thanks.

Sorry I meant to put National Guard Reserve system. I was just wondering if it's the same as the others. thanks.

[spartan12]

I have seen it said a few times through this thread, choose wisely. Make sure you know everything there is to know about the Military Occupational Skill, or MOS (ie. you job) that you can before deciding. Pick something you can use when you get out. I made that mistake about 10 years ago when I joined the Army, I chose Combat Engineer, and it is basically useless in the civilian world, unless you need something blown up. So the boat I am in now is that I am just over 10 years of service and on the downward slope to 20 and retirement. I have no idea how many more tours through Iraq (currently on my 3 trip over here) I am going to have to make, but it is a living. wow did I get off on a tangent or what When you go to MEPS, do not fall for the old trick of "this job is really hard to get and it does not come up very often" take your time, dont rush, there is nothing that says you have to sign up the day you go down there, If you dont understand what some of the jobs are tell them you will be in touch and do the research on your own, contact a local station and see if you can talk to someone in the field you are interested in, and use the internet. Just insure you make an informed decision, dont go in blind.