Coast Guard is a naval, military, and multi-missile service in the U.S. military bases. It is responsible for enforcing maritime law and has jurisdiction over domestic and international waters and the functioning of the organization’s regulatory agency as part of its jurisdiction.
Currently, the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but may be referred to the Department of Defense by the president or Congress during wartime.
The Coast Guard’s permanent roles are maritime security and management, and it touches on the motto “Semper Paratus,” which means “Always Good.”
This article focuses on the Pros & cons of coast guard work. If the Coast Guard touches your interest and you think about joining, read on to find out what it will offer you.
Article Road Map
Coast Guard History
Coast Guard was made as part of the Department of Transport. However, shortly after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
As a result, the Coast Guard was moved from community leadership to military leadership as part of the DHS. As a result, Coast Guard operations were developed to include counter-terrorism and port protection and other life-saving, maritime security, and drug prevention activities.
As one of the five national armed forces, the Coast Guard participated in all the wars from 1790 to Iraq and Afghanistan. It was officially established as Revenue Marine by the Continental Congress at the request of Alexander Hamilton. Its primary purpose was to collect property taxes from the national ports.
In the 1860s, this service became known as the United States Revenue Cutter Service. Coast Guard was established with the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the United States Life-Saving Service in 1915.
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Requirements For Coast Guard
The Coast Guard department is one of the most difficult branches to join because it accepts very few recruits than other military units, and the qualification requirements are strict.
In addition to the basic citizenship and physical fitness requirements, the Coast Guard also sets educational standards.
They require a minimum of 54 points in the Battery Service Task Force Battery Test, but you must do better to compete with other recruits. You will need a high school diploma or a college degree. It will probably be difficult to get accepted with a GED only.
You will need to check the credit and pass a security authorization check. The Coast Guard often authorizes low levels of criminal history and medical exemptions.
It is the only branch where shellfish allergies enter without choice. Pre-service applicants may be invited with specific rules and restrictions.
Cons
Indeed, strict entry requirements may be considered a low point for joining the Coast Guard, perhaps a minor problem for those who qualify but a complete disappointment for those who do not qualify.
Coastal Military Registration Grants
Coast Guard offers a variety of small registration incentives to attract eligible applicants to join. However, these may change, so it is advisable to discuss current motives with the hiring officer.
Under the Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), eligible applicants are promised two years ‘registered payment, commission, and two-year college scholarship in exchange for three years of active service.
Coast Guard participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides educational benefits for up to 36 months for 15 years after your release from work.
Like other military branches, the Coast Guard offers instant payment scores of up to E-3 at college or JROTC credits.
Pros
Incentives to join the Coast Guard include tuition fees, GI Bill education benefits, and advanced tuition marks for academic achievement.
The scope of Coast Guard work is vast, and during the service, you will gain valuable insights that translate into many professional options around the world.
Career Opportunities For Coast Guard
Deck and Ordnance:
- Marine Strengthening Specialist (ME).
- Boatswain’s Mate (BM)
- Gunner’s Mate (GM)
- Operations Specialist (OS)
- Intelligence Specialist (IS)
Hull and Engineering:
- Damage Controlman (DC)
- Electrician’s Mate (EM)
- Electronics Technician (ET)
- Information System Technician (IT)
- Mechanical Engineers (MK)
Aviation:
- Avionics Electrical Technician (AET)
- Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT),
- Aviation Survival Specialist (AST)
Management and Science: Food Service Specialist (FS), Health Services Specialist (HS), Marine Science Specialist (MST), Artist (MU), Public Affairs Specialist (PA), Store Manager (SK), and Yeoman (YN)
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Basic Training For Coastal Guard
As with all military units, physical demands can be intense, so new Coast Guard recruits are rigorously trained and tested in a training camp.
But unfortunately, the Coast Guard has only one primary training facility registered: the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey.
In addition to strength and endurance requirements (pushing, sitting, running distances, or swimming), all Coastal staff would be expected to demonstrate decent swimming skills; at a training camp, you can expect to jump from a 5-foot point into the pool, swim 100 meters, and tread water for five minutes.
Special Training Units
As the scope and authority of Coast Guard work are enormous, many activities require special skills that not everyone can do.
Helicopter Rescue Special (or Search and Rescue Swimmer) engages in high-level, potentially dangerous, and often complex tasks of search and rescue in rough seas.
So, naturally, fitness training and testing are exhausting, with extra stretching exercises, underwater swimming, friend pulling, and 500-meter swimming.
The Maritime Safety Response Team (MSRT) is a SWAT Team of the Coast Guard and the only unit within the Coast Guard capable of counter-terrorism efforts. The MSRT is trained
for specific action and is the first response to potential or actual terrorist threats. Therefore, registrants wishing to join the MSRT must endure additional training in combat, war, and counter-terrorism.
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Assignments For Coast Guards
The Coast Guard has facilities, foundations, and aid stations throughout the United States on the East Coast, Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific.
Depending on the type of ship the Coast Guardsman is assigned to, or if the ship’s base is not big enough to accompany the crew full-time, they can stay on the ship.
Coast Guard personnel work with Assigned Officers to organize assignments; these people are in charge of all projects for a particular job community and level. Generally, features that include project priorities are as follows:
- Was the person previously assigned to a marine job as rated personnel?
- Have they ever been deployed to the same place?
- What is the individual’s position in office?
However, some estimates have a sea time requirement for improvement (your employer must have a list where estimates of sea time are rated).
Also, as in other branches, the Coast Guard has overseas assignments and special assignments, such as hiring.
Pros
- Variety of possible locations
- Opportunities for overseas travel and discovering new places
Cons
- Little control of your geographical position
- There is no choice whether you are assigned to a boat or a base
- Involuntary assignments (Article 10)
Conclusion
Like other services, the coast guard offers real opportunities for eligible, qualified candidates. However, like all jobs are concerned, individuals have the full right to decide which recruitment or career fits their expertise.
This article, ” Pros & Cons Of The Coast Guard – Work”, will help you weigh your decision regarding its advantages and disadvantages, help set a measurable standard, and count the cost while you make your decision. We hope this article has been helpful.