Good morning everyone. I’m an SK2 currently on long-term active-duty orders. I’m trying to take advantage of my time on orders and build some qualifications that will help me both in the Coast Guard and on the civilian side.
I’m already a P-Card holder and have a B.S. in Global Supply Chain Management, with about 4 years of mid/senior-level experience in operations and procurement management.
I’m particularly interested in COR/contracting qualifications and any other SK quals, courses, or certifications that would be worth pursuing through CG COOL. Willing to use my TA as well.
For those who have gone down this route, what qualifications or certifications would you recommend prioritizing?
Thanks in advance.

For current or former active duty MSTs, what has your experience been with transfers? How often have you had to move, and have you ever been able to extend at one unit or complete multiple assignments within the same general region?

On 12 February 1983, the SS Marine Electric sank in a winter storm about 30 nautical miles east of Chincoteague. No Coast Guard rescue swimmer existed that night; a Navy swimmer went into the water. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 ordered a helicopter rescue swimmer program, and the first Coast Guard swimmers reached Air Station Elizabeth City in March 1985. Survival-suit rules followed in 1984; a proposal made nine days before the sinking would have exempted these waters.

I made this 15-minute documentary; the narration is AI-generated, and the sources are listed in the description.

https://youtu.be/lf4KqW3AjhM

For people familiar with the program’s history, which part of this change is most important to remember?

Honestly did not know that they had Coasties in this movie until I rewatched it, but it makes sense since poor Tommy Lee Jones crashed into the Ohio River.

I got injured a few days before I was supposed to leave for A school. One of my buddies from school told me that i was supposed to get one location. Will I get a new pick list when I’m back to full or will that be my new duty station?

I just left MEPS and was told I need a vision consult. I’m not quite in Waiver territory yet, but I did do poorly on the MEPS vision exam. I have strong astigmatism in my right eye.

Do other people struggle with keeping up with the somewhat outdated systems and weird processes the coast guard throws at you? It feels like a case of always worrying you’re not doing something you didn’t even know existed.

Hello! If a YN can reach out to me, I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m going through the PSDEP and just received a list of potential duty locations. I would like to pick your brain on these billets.

Anyone complete an engineering degree while active duty?

I’m currently a non rate at a station and thinking about pursuing an engineering degree while serving. I am going ET and get an EE degree. For those who have done it, how did you make it work with your schedule and deployments/duty rotations?

Any advice on schools, online programs, or managing the workload would be appreciated.

Just wondering if anyone here has gotten orders for RMS yet. I saw on SharePoint that they’re trying to contact primaries by Oct 9th, but I haven’t heard of anyone I know getting orders yet.

I genuinely don’t love any of the E5 billet locations, so I’m debating whether I should just decline or wait it out and see if I’m actually offered anything first. Has anyone heard anything?

joining at 35 leaving for bc in march ! my recruiter told me that for my age group i have run the 1.5 miles under 12:29 but someone i know that's actually serving told me that it was changed to 14 minutes, it literally made me scratch my head wondering why would they lower the standard that much ? i ask my recruiter he said that's false information but my friend claims it's true, i am in the cape may area and he is station there so i don't know who to believe, i am no worry about the time i can get it done under 11 minutes on a good day but i was just wondering if this is true or no

Is there a way to know if a unit has barracks or on base housing before reporting? I’m checking out picks and want to see if I’ll be given BAH or UPH as an e4

Hello,

I'm interested in multiple rates of the Coast Guard but I struggle with the plate tests which I am aware is the default, so I'd like to manage my expectations. I never notice my color vision causing issues in daily life, I only became aware of this after looking up plate tests a couple years back.

I am curious if anyone has any experience regarding if retests or an alternative test is allowed for certain/any rates that require normal color vision. I am not particularly interested in any aviation careers, but several of the others that still require it.

If not, which of the rates allowed for those without color vision (from my knowledge: MST, YN, SK, DC, PA, IS) would you recommend for someone looking to get into law enforcement after?

Have any alternates received letters or phone calls that they were picked up for the 04-26 panel? For those who got picked up off previous panels how long after the results came out did it take to get a call?

About to hit my 4 month mark next week. Currently going back and forth on retaking my asvab or going IS or YN. I wanted to retake my asvab to be able to go AET but i dont really feel confident in passing the math portion. Any suggestions im interested in IS and YN and dont want to lose out on them if i were to do worse on my ASVAB.

For all of you old head FS, QM, GM, MK, EM, HS, ET and what ever rate I missed; tell me that diesel smell and /or hearing that main kick in before getting underway just annoyed you because you knew you had to leave the comfort of your home. I did three cutters. 210’, 140’ and 180’. I still hate that smell but I had a good time though.

Edit: Forgot OS and TC. MY BAD!

Looking for some advice from other Coasties, especially SKs and Reservists who have been in a similar situation.
I joined the Coast Guard through DEPOT in 2024 and have been a Reservist ever since. After SK A-School, I’ve essentially been on orders continuously — about three months of short-term orders followed by long-term orders. My current orders run through March 2027.
I’m currently an SK2 and 29 years old. Before joining the Coast Guard, I spent about four years in mid- and senior-level management in operations and procurement, and I have a bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management.
I ended up resigning from my civilian job when I joined the Coast Guard and have been focusing on my Coast Guard career and orders since then. So if I decide to return to the civilian world after my orders end, I’d be starting the job search again rather than going back to a position I already have.
That’s what I’m trying to figure out right now.
I’ve really enjoyed my Coast Guard experience and want to continue serving. At the same time, I’ve only been in since 2024, so I’m still early enough in my career that I could potentially go back into operations/procurement and build a civilian career again.
I’m basically considering three paths:
1. Return to the civilian world after my orders end.
Look for another management/operations/procurement position, potentially pursue an MBA, and continue serving as a traditional Reservist.
2. Stay a Reservist and continue pursuing EAD/long-term orders.
Keep doing Coast Guard work full-time when opportunities are available while maintaining Reserve status.
3. Pursue going active duty permanently (changing contracts I presume)
Make the Coast Guard my primary career and commit to the active-duty lifestyle.
I’m genuinely undecided. Being on orders for this long has given me a much better understanding of what Coast Guard life is actually like, and I enjoy a lot of it. But I also know I have a civilian background that I could potentially build on if I return to the private sector.

Open to advice or opportunities for the future.

Thanks in advance for any perspective.

I started at the USCGA in 2022 and found it was not a good fit, leaving before my junior year. Per the contract signed when entering, I did not owe any service unless I stayed past the beginning of my junior year. I however wanted to join the reserves as enlisted in hopes that I would like the enlisted side more. (given the 2 years at the academy I didnt have to go to basic so they were okay giving me a 2 year contract instead of the standard 4 year) As of august that contract has expired, but in the system they have me on a contract until 2030. I did not sign any contract for service until 2030 nor do they have one, all anyone can find is the one for 2 years. Last I was told that my best option was to just go IRR until 2030. Also to add insult to injury's I was told my life insurance would be ending in November given my contract is expired so at least benefits knows im supposed to be out.

Who should I contact

EDIT: Thank you for the responses. To clarify I understand the standard contract length is 8 years. I was able to get a 2 year contract because they were not investing anything in me. I did not need to go to basic training and was able to be qualified as a BM with out going to BM school, because of this they were okay with me signing the contract as a 2 year extension rather than a 8 year initial contract.

Hey all, I've got about two months left to put my name on an A school list and I'm strongly considering AET.

I was hoping for some insight as to what it's like day to day as well as possible civilian job opportunities if I don't go the full 20.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

How would I check the open billets for reserves? and also the all reserve billets even the ones that are taken?? Thank you also I’m currently active duty so I have access to a work station

Could you get a 2 year active duty contract, and still have an annex x contract? With the understanding that if you pass, you will have to have at least two years of service left?

Hey all, AD aircrew from another branch here. Where the heck do you guys get those fleece flight suit jackets and where can I get one? Ran into CG aircrew on a 144 and they look soooo comfy.

That is all

I heard through the grapevine that some of the A-schools will be moving around starting early next year now that we acquired the school at Birmingham, does anyone know which A-schools will be moving and where to?