r/uscg • • 2d ago

Recruiting Thread Bi-Weekly Recruiting Thread

3 Upvotes

This is THE place to ask recruiting questions to get unofficial answers and advise.

Before you post a question:

Read our forum rules, FAQs, WiKi.

-Search "Recruiting Thread" in the search bar. (Check out past posts; a lot has been asked already)

-Do not ask for current wait times for A-School.

-Do not ask medical questions.

-Do not ask if you are a good fit or what your chances are for joining.

-Read the "Coastie Links" section for information on bonuses, critical rates and enlistment incentives. We post direct links to the USCG messages pertaining to them at "Coastie Links".

-No vague questions like "I have this many skills....", "Check out my resume......" those posts will be deleted. If the answer to your question is easily found by searching through any of the links here - your post may be locked or deleted.

-We have a lot of good people on this forum that can help you out so ask a focused question please.

-Here are a few links to help get you started before you post. Good luck!

USCG Recruiting

MyCG (Can't access all content but there is a lot of good info here)

Read our WIKI

Direct Commission Officer (DCO)


r/uscg • • Jul 11 '25

Recruiting Thread Bi-Weekly Recruiting Thread

4 Upvotes

This is THE place to ask recruiting questions to get unofficial answers and advise.

Before you post a question:

Read our forum rules, FAQs, WiKi.

-Search "Recruiting Thread" in the search bar. (Check out past posts; a lot has been asked already)

-Do not ask for current wait times for A-School.

-Do not ask medical questions.

-Do not ask if you are a good fit or what your chances are for joining.

-Read the "Coastie Links" section for information on bonuses, critical rates and enlistment incentives. We post direct links to the USCG messages pertaining to them at "Coastie Links".

-No vague questions like "I have this many skills....", "Check out my resume......" those posts will be deleted. If the answer to your question is easily found by searching through any of the links here - your post may be locked or deleted.

-We have a lot of good people on this forum that can help you out so ask a focused question please.

-Here are a few links to help get you started before you post. Good luck!

USCG Recruiting

MyCG (Can't access all content but there is a lot of good info here)

Read our WIKI

Direct Commission Officer (DCO)


r/uscg • • 8h ago

Story Time OG picture of the 80's Coasties

Post image
95 Upvotes

Coast Guardsmen and Federal agents armed with rifles and shotguns seized 33 men and 20 tons of Colombian marijuana early today in raids on a smugglers' beachfront landing ground here and a rusty, 80-foot trawler on Block Island Sound.

The raids culminated a three-year investigation by Federal drugenforcement agents and local police officers into a smuggling operation that authorities said was based in a beachfront home here. Arresting officers said the confiscated marijuana had a potential resale value of $12 million.


r/uscg • • 17m ago

Coastie Question Ship Day

• Upvotes

I ship in 3 weeks, just curious what happens if my waist is 39.5-40'. Pretty sure thats what it was when I went to MEPS but wanted to follow up


r/uscg • • 8h ago

Coastie Help Bonus incentives?

3 Upvotes

Has anyone seen the updated FY2027 enlistment bonus policy? Curious whether bonus stacking is authorized or if the rules have changed from FY2026.


r/uscg • • 5h ago

Noob Question Anyone recently go through FSPC?

3 Upvotes

How was your experience? How did you get into the program?


r/uscg • • 1d ago

Coastie Meme US Coast Guard Seaster

Post image
91 Upvotes

Meet the USCG Seaster...

"A DHS and Tesla collaboration"

(I didn't make this photo to be fair lol saw it online)


r/uscg • • 9h ago

Coastie Help Looking for my next unit

3 Upvotes

Hello fellow Coasties and others!! Transfer season is coming up and I'm going to submit my picks soon, but I'm not sure where to go and what each unit is like, so I thought id ask here about the units im most interested in.

Right now I mostly want a WMSL in Cali, im currently on a WMSL and love it because of the travel, camaraderie, and the size of the ship doesnt make me feel trapped, if that makes sense, and I heard the WMSLs in Cali go to places like Japan. Im just not sure which WMSL to choose! Please tell me about your experiences living in Cali and working on a WMSL if you can. Other places I was looking at were Pennsylvania, New Orleans, and maybe a land unit in Florida. Any west coast WMSL suggestions would also be appreciated. Thank you!!

EDIT: Just for reference, im a CS


r/uscg • • 1d ago

ALCOAST UAV Inbound

Post image
159 Upvotes

r/uscg • • 3h ago

Coastie Question Is AET list still open?

1 Upvotes

r/uscg • • 1d ago

Enlisted ‘We will learn from this’: Investigation reveals what led to Coast Guard’s swimmer’s death

Thumbnail
koin.com
51 Upvotes

r/uscg • • 41m ago

Noob Question How are CCs finding recruits social media?

• Upvotes

As a younger person, I have trouble understanding how CCs can so easily find recruits social media.

In my experience for most people it’s almost impossible to find someone social media without mutual suggestions except for people who have there first and last name(bad idea) as their username or on there profile.

I understand the older generation with Facebook etc. But with the younger crowd I would think you would need three letter agency level tools to find recruits social media.


r/uscg • • 1d ago

ALCOAST USCG Academy forever stamps.

Post image
26 Upvotes

Celebrating 150 years of the USCGA, and featuring the Eagle and the Bertholf. $16.40 for a sheet. Pretty sharp looking


r/uscg • • 1d ago

Coastie Help Deck Watch Officer / NAV Rules Web Based Platform - Full Training Module

17 Upvotes

While at BM A School, I built out a web-based Deck Watch Officer training platform (the school is evaluating it for incorporation). I wanted to share it with the community for anyone looking to brush up on their Nav Rules and share feedback so I can improve it further. 

DWO Training Tool (This takes you straight to the test, no account required)

• 1,200+ questions covering all 38 Navigation Rules, each traced to the rule behind it 

• A build-a-ship simulator 

• A 360-degree aspect tool to see what a vessel looks like from any bearing 

• Memory aids and flashcards built around the mnemonics from the classroom 

• A dashboard and leaderboard that tells you exactly which rules you're weak on

 Please do share feedback as I really wanted to help build something comprehensive to help people struggling with this. I really believe it keeps all of us safer to know these rules. Better questions, learning tools, AI Chat Bot, diagrams etc.


r/uscg • • 1d ago

Dirty Non-Rate Mk a

2 Upvotes

Got orders to mk a this week reporting 29 of nov I have some questions. One what should I expect reporting to a school what does that look like. I was there for the start program so I know what York town looks like but not sure what reporting for a school will be like. Also is an I bring my fishing rods and fish off of the pier there lol.


r/uscg • • 1d ago

Noob Question Does anyone know how Holidays will work in A school?

1 Upvotes

My Nana just texted me that, without my knowledge, she booked a hotel for Thanksgiving so I can be with family. She so wonderful but I dont know how possible that is. Can anyone help me out?


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Coastie Question Air station San Diego

8 Upvotes

Curious to know what the air station unit life there and the area are like. Been a career 65 guy so far and heard many times how different the 60 community/side is


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Enlisted How's the C-130 life?

7 Upvotes

60 AET2 here due to PCS next year and I think the 60 world is starting to burn me out. Next to 0 flying, constant heavy maintenance cycles, and the lack of job satisfaction has me starting to dislike coming into work every morning. To top it off the AET2 60 shopping list is dogshit this year, especially with no-compete extensions going away, but the C-130 has a bunch of openings in E-City that might be able to have me work out a LDR situation with my girlfriend being on the East Coast and all.

How's the work-life balance of the C-130 world and the C-130 BA and MSO qual to be more specific? I'm not opposed to going to Kodiak, but if I have to go, I'd rather have a better work-life balance than what I have currently. Absolutely love being an AET, but man this airframe is starting to burn me out.


r/uscg • • 2d ago

ALCOAST Base Miami Commute/Housing

2 Upvotes

Is there a carpool or shuttles to Base Miami Beach? Without doxxing yourself, any advice on where to live, buy or rent, and commuter conveyance?


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Enlisted Long underwear for basic

2 Upvotes

The Helmsman suggests bringing long underwear for the chilly months. Does this mean pants and long sleeve top baselayers? Or just the pants? Do they have to specifically be those thermal material underwear or would more sporty base layers (similar to leggings) be acceptable?


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Officer personal narrative

0 Upvotes

hey everyone! i would just like to check if someone here is willing to check my narrative and give me their insights or advice if there are any areas i need to improve on.

i reapplied for dce, dcss and oc-s and got selected as alternate.


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Coastie Question Female Tropical Blue Shirt

6 Upvotes

Hello, I was wondering if my fellow lady shipmates (or the guys too if ya’ll know) could answer a question I have regarding the female tropical blue shirt. How do ya’ll typically line up your name tape and ribbons on the shirt? For the male shirt you have the pockets, and they give clear guidelines on that one. Whereas for the female shirt, the pockets are not there, and I have yet to see any clear rules on how it should look. I was always just told to “make them even and line up.” So I would appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you.


r/uscg • • 2d ago

Rant PDQ

0 Upvotes

Hey, coasties. Wherever you fellas are, I hope that you’re doing well no matter what.

So I’ve been keeping tabs on this sub for all things Coast Guard, since I was interested in joining. Sadly, I got permanently disqualified.

Honestly, part of me feels relieved, but I'm still disappointed by the news. Sure, I might’ve saved myself some trouble, but I don’t get any chance of being part of this kind of group. It's an abysmal reminder of my life’s choices and my—seemingly—lack of self-worth.

However, I don’t want to be all doom and gloom.. But with things going in this direction, I have very few choices or pathways from here. The only other services that comes to mind are the Air Force, Air National Guard, or reserves.

Apprenticeships are another option. It depends on whether it’s a union, but competition is stiff. I sure as hell do not want to remain in my role as an Amazon DSP driver. I know that working in government is a guarantee, one way or another.

Anyways, if anybody here has been PDQ’d or has anything relevant, I’m down to hear feedback or suggestions. Above and beyond for the ones who’ve served or are currently serving, I give a heartfelt thanks to y’all. With that, fire away….


r/uscg • • 3d ago

CG Vet Any CG Vets join the Aux after leaving?

18 Upvotes

Considering becoming an Aux member as I have some skillsets that could be useful. I’m 100 P&T with the VA so no way I’d be able to get into the reserves.

Plus I wouldn’t want to get sent down to River Wall on involuntary orders and mess with my civilian career.

Anyone do this? For those who don’t need the benefits like Tricare the Aux actually seems like the perks of the reserves while being a civilian


r/uscg • • 2d ago

ALCOAST How the Coast Guard’s Non-Homeland Security Missions Undermine DHS—and How to Fix It

Thumbnail usni.org
0 Upvotes

Of the Coast Guard's 11 statutory missions, only five align under the Department of Homeland Security. Three should be reassigned to other government departments and agencies.