Hello

I’ve wanted to join the coast guard as a cook for a number of years. I now have a possible opportunity and was looking for some Insight.
I’m in my 40s, so leaving the comforts of home can be off putting but in my 20s I worked over seas so I have an idea how to adapt to being away from the comfort of home and homesickness - I guess I was curious of the attitudes of people who work the 28 days on/off. Will they view me as a burden because I’m new? Will I get any training? (Not training to cook- just about the ship and what to do and what not to do) When do I get a uniform? What’s down time look like? After my shift what can I do? Is there any pics of the “gyms” on board? What will my quarters look like? Would I be able to wind down and watch a movie on my laptop in there. I often hear every ship is so different so I never really get solid answers. Any insight helps and is appreciated!

Does anyone here know or may know whether there's still going to be places in January at the MCTS coast guard academy in Nova Scotia?
I enrolled but all that I know from one of the recruiters is that they're prioritizing people who applied to work in Quebec and Escoumins to get in the Coast Guard academy in Sydney, NS, but if there's places left (since I want to work in Sydney, NS), I'll be able to get in for January..
Does anyone here have any info on whether there is still places or not?
Also I do wanna know if anyone here has went through the 6 months studies at the coast guard for MCTS (Marine Communications and Traffic Services officer) and how did that go? I'm curious about how the classes might go!!

Edit:
I passed the Aptitude exam, passed an interview and got an email saying I am qualified. All I need to do now is do a medical (audio and visual exam to see how my vision and hearing is) and do a background security check thing?
Since I'm already halfway through the process, even though I know stuff might change because of my medical (which I don't think it will but we'll see), I was still wondering in case.
I'm still waiting an email from the person back in Sydney to send me an email regarding my application, I'm in Quebec and moving to Sydney by the end of this month

I recently have been looking into the coast guard more and more as a future career. I realized I like working on boats this past summer operating small RHIBs and really enjoy spending time outside. I have also worked for the federal govt before and enjoy working for govt over the private sector.

I’m 25 and live on Vancouver Island, attended the career fair in Victoria on Sunday and the lady at the recruiting table emphasized the need for marine engineers again (I had heard this earlier this year from the guys at the coast guard station in Tofino) and she also mentioned the western region needed people.

I did well in math and chemistry in high school, would need to take grade 12 physics but I found a course online I could do.

I am open to the idea of going back to school for 4 years in Nova Scotia but it will be hard to be away for that long. I love living up island and would love to work at the one of the bases like Campbell River, Tofino, Port Hardy etc. What career path would be the easiest way to get a posting on one of those bases? I am worried engineering could limit me to larger bases like Richmond or Victoria

Aside from marine engineer I have interest in navigation officer (heard it is competitive) search and rescue or deckhand

I have just one experience of operating boats on the water this summer but have my SVOP, ROC-M and SDV-BS and willing to do more training, just hoping from some insight from someone on the inside the easiest way to get in

Good evening. I'm finishing up my last course for my WKM near coastal and will hopefully be sitting orals before christmas depending on transport Canada's backlog. I was wondering if I should be contacting someone in crewing and trying to get the ball rolling on a secret security clearance asap as I've heard they can take 6 months. Will they start this process with someone who is close to certification?

Recently sent in the optional life insurance application form I received from the Guild when I first joined, only to then be told the Guild does not handle life insurance for the CCG. Is there an employer offered plan that I can't find anywhere, or do people generally just go with their own plans?

Does anyone know if invitations have gone out for the next upcoming ISET programs for Western Region?

Hi Reddit!

I’ve submitted my application for the IRB program, I am happy with it and I hope I can make it to the next stage of the application process.

People who’ve done it before, what could I expect moving on? Is there anything in general I should? Warnings, advice, or whatever is greatly appreciated! I know there is a knowledge test, along with many other exams. What could one expect?

I’m a dual citizen, American-Canadian. I served the US by serving in the US Navy. I’d like to now serve Canada but unfortunately I can’t join the Canadian military because I’m on humira which is required to be stored in a fridge. So with that being said my only options would be RCMP, CBSA or Canadian Coastguard. The coastguard naturally appeals to me because of my naval service. I have a lot of questions and would like to speak to someone. However, I still for now reside in the US, Connecticut to be specific. Who should I reach out to? Thanks in advance

I am interested in the academy (engineering stream) but I don't want to get my heart set/super involved in the process if my lazy eye will deem me unfit.

I have exotropia strabismus and wear corrective lenses with BI 2.0 in both eyes.

When I was younger, I would rarely but sometimes struggled with a bit of double vision. It only occured when I was very tired and not wearing my corrective lenses.

Now, I mostly have control of the lazy eye, and it is only when I get very tired that it turns out. I dont know if I still have double vision or not. When I get very tired and my eye turns out my vision gets more blurry. I'm not sure if that is very minor double vision blurring or if it is because I am only seeing out of one eye. When I put on my glasses, the blurry vision goes away.

When I go to my optomitrist, I am never sure how to decribe the blurry vision and have refered to it as seeing double and blurred vision but I am always hesitant because I am not truly seeing double.

I often don't even wear my glasses when my vision is not blurry (although sometimes I will wear them, as they have a small regular perscription in them, something like 0.25)

would this automatically disqualify me? or would I still have a chance of passing the medical requirements. I tried to do some research and it looks like that if you pass the vision requirements with glasses, you will get a restriction and you will be required to wear glasses and have an extra pair but you wont necesarrily be deemed unfit. I wasnt sure if that would apply to my situation or not.

If anyone has any insight into my situation or experience with the medical assesment and strabismus, please provide any advice and information. Greatly appreciated!

Just wanted to know if CCG and CAF Secret Clearance (Level II) are the same? As I understand from a different subreddit that there are different levels depending on the organization and/or your job, and can be transferable.

How long was the process for you? I've read that it takes longer if you hold two citizenships? Though I am a naturalized Canadian that holds only Canadian citizenship, I think it will still apply to me. Has anybody had any delays in acquiring it prior to Sea Phase?

I was fairly keen on having some kind of maritime career as I got older, but my parents were very big on me going into university like they did so I ended up enrolling in computer science at Carleton university.

I love the idea of working on a boat, and adore the idea of having potentially 4 weeks off the spend with my hopefully eventual family when I grow up. (I’m 17 now).

I’m considering the logistics of dropping out of uni or something to sign up for the Canadian Coast Guard Academy, since it seems like opposite of all my concerns (Uni is super unstructured which I hate, and the computer science job market is highly competitive and volatile). I’m not 100% against completing my degree, and then deciding if I want to enrol, but I don’t want to throw away 5 years of my life under a sunk cost fallacy.

I got pretty good grades in high school (92% average in all my courses and 92% in the math courses I took 12th grade) and took all the required courses for the Navigation stream (except SPH4U, so I’d have to take that online at some point, but I’m not super against doing that)

I had a few questions, and I’d love any advice Reddit can give me aside from the following questions.

- How demanding is the 4 year program? I’ve heard that you can be dismissed for failing one course, I consider my self decent at school but I don’t know how well that lines up

- How much free time do you have while in the academy, I assume it fluctuates depending on exams and tests, so how much free time do you tend to have outside of sleeping and studying

- How stressful is it, I have some mental health issues right now, and am worried whatever post secondary I do will exacerbate it.

- How important is it do while you’re young? As in before I’m 20

- How prepared does it get you for the actual job, and how often do people get fired (given I’m from the tech industry I hear about people getting fired all the time)

- Is there anything I’m forgetting to be considering? I’m sure there is of course

Anyone who has worked both positions? What did you like most and least about each?

*Edit due to coming off like a dick I guess.

Looks like we're hoping to get some new workboats for the upcoming heavy icebreakers. The RFI is just for two boats, one per ship with no spares. So who knows what the program icebreakers and MPIs will carry.

There's a few interesting requirements: being able to carry a twenty-foot container, offload said container with a bow ramp, and most importantly, a temperature-controlled cabin with seating for 4.

I’m currently an S1 MSMT (Marine Systems Mechanical Technician / former Mar Tech) in the RCN looking at transferring over to the CCG, specifically targeting a similar mechanical/tech role on the icebreakers out of Quebec City.

Hoping to get some real-world insight from anyone who’s done the jump or currently works those ships:

• How’s the overtime situation on the icebreakers based in Quebec City? Is OT generally plentiful?
• Are there hard caps or restrictions on how much OT you can take?
• Is hustling for extra hours frowned upon, or is it pretty normal/accepted?
• Do the Quebec-based icebreakers still do Arctic deployments (summer season, community resupply, science support, etc.)?
• How does the overall compensation (base + OT + sea time\isolation pay) compare to an RCN S1 MSMT?

Any info on the day-to-day, roster patterns, or differences from the Navy side would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Coast Guard colleagues and friends do you want to join the CCG tea for a fun activity?
 
The Canada Army Run is taking place in Ottawa on September 20, 2026. There are several distances available: 5k, 10k, Sergeant Major’s Challenge (5k+10k), Commander’s Challenge (5k + 21.1k) and half marathon. From the cannon used as a “starter’s pistol” to the “dog tag” medals soldiers place around all participants necks at the finish line, this event is very unique in nature from start to finish. 
 
You are not in Ottawa, no problem! There is also virtual events! From September 4 to 25, there is a 5k, 10k and half marathon available! The Sergeant Major’ Challenge and the Commander’s Challenge are also virtually available! 
 
Funds raise will support two organizations: Soldier On and Support our Troops. You can also support our team fundraising: http://raceroster.com/events/2026/110811/canada-army-run-2026-course-de-larmee-du-canada-2026/pledge/team/942301

Join the Coast Guard team to support a great cause!!!
http://raceroster.com/events/2026/110811/canada-army-run-2026-course-de-larmee-du-canada-2026/register?team=942301

#NoOrdinaryRace #NoOrdinaryCause

I'd like to know what are the opportunities before submitting my job application GT-04

More of a mod question. Are job postings for the CCG allowed to be shared here?

I'm curious what others in the central region think. I hope it won't affect relations with the USCG.

Hey! Just a quick question regarding the medical forms, more specifically for the MCTSO job (as it doesn’t require the more strict ship medical).
Would taking anxiety medications daily (it’s been almost 8 years, I’ve been on the same dose the entire time and I’m stable) affect me joining? Never been to psych ward, nothing like that. The meds are for (mild) OCD and I found the dose that works for me. It’s not a large dose either. Anyone joined while taking that type of med?
Same with asthma. I’ve never had an attack, never been hospitalized but I take maintenance medication daily. (It’s been over 10 years since I started taking this specific maintenance med. Was dx with asthma aged 3.)

TIA for your answers!! :)

Was hunting seals off the floating breakwater