Simviation Forums

I've been giving thought to joining up with the Coast Guard for their flight program to build flight hours, pay for myself, pay for college.  I was wondering if anyone here has had any personal experience with them , if so, please state your opinion of it....

The reason why I want to go to CG instead of AF..is that
A. I like living in the USA, I dont want to be shipped
somewhere, possibly a place where Americans are not welcome
B.  I don't like the idea of a job when its ok to be shot at
C.  I have issues with the idea of killing people

(I know, CG doesn't get all the cool toys)

Even people in the Coast Guard spend long periods of time at sea.

also, no offense, but who says every other job in the military includes killing people???

I suspect even Coast Guard personell come under fire from time to time in certain circumstances

Uh, WWII Coasties kilt a few (U-boats). Nam too.

Uh, Coasties were in country in Nam

Uh, Coasties have been sent all over the world.

Uh, when the USA needs the coast guarded or blockcaded in another country and the Navy is stretched thin, major conflict, who do you think does it?

They just stay off of the real blue water. And haven't gotten too involved in the Middle East the last few times it flared up.

Either way it is a honorable profession in any country!!
Being willing to risk your life for your country is something that takes pride and guts!
Plus the skills and flight training you'll get will pay off in the long run. I say take advantage of it!!
Also i would think it is safe to say that 99% of the people who join the military in any given country join with issues of killing others.
And the idea of getting shot at, unfortanately you take that risk everytime you step out the door! The way the world is now!

join the Airforce as an air traffic controller, they have an apprentiship program, as i was told when enquiring, your likely to end up staying in the US with that job and almost definatly never have to shoot anyone, or be shot at.
But the coast guard is a good choice if thats what you go for, i was speaking to a guy on a flight from memphis to detroit on time who worked for the CG and he said he wouldnt change his job for anything.

Go for the Coast Guard. At least then your profession is saving lives and not taking them. Things are no doubt different in the states but in Britain the coast guard don't go abroard. The only way you are going to get shot at in the Coast Guard is if your in a Customs boat when you run into a violent bunch of drug smugglers.

if you don't want all the cool toys...join the USCG. it's a good alternative if you really want to fly...and of course, it's always better to save people than to kill them (if that would ever happen of course...i mean the killing).  ;)

[quote]
B.

Those guys put their lives at risk every day for some moron who hasn't got a lick of sense when to get his boat out of a storm.

I have to resent this comment. Usually if someone needs to be rescued then it won't be from sitting in a storm. Few people are stupid enough to go out in a storm and those who are caught in them usually cannot avoid it. I mean, if you have just spent four weeks sailing over the atlantic then there would have been no evidence of a storm when you set out and it could simply catch you up. If someone needs to be rescued from the sea then there will be some other reason. Say a boat has run onto a rock, someone's been swept off a peir or someone has been injured on their boat.


And Meinas, at least in the Coast Guard you will be provided with body armour if you are in danger of being fired upon.

I was looking about on the USCG Academy site, and qualifying for flight school is quite difficult.  I do not even know if non-academy people can join flight school.  

None the less, best of luck!  Take some lives, save alot more.

I knew there would be times CG personel would be shot at, slight possibility that they would be needed in dire circumstances during war... (these are very minimal compared to other military branche) .....if they can't promise me a position as a pilot, then I would say no thanks, I think I'll have a good shot though, I would enter using the Blue 21 program, after I graduate from Embry Riddle Univ. go for the CG.

,[quote]

Actually, the coast guard gets shot at quite often.

If I were you, get use to shooting and get used to being shot at.

I have clearly read and signed a contract with the USAF. Somewhere in the contract, it says something like this:

"I understand that it is my responsibility to use a fire arm with live rounds when needed."

So, once you see the contract, read it and read it carefully. Remember, you're dealing with Uncle Sam once you sign any of their papers.

I'm practicing my shots by shooting crows with my B-B rifle. I don't like crows. Those black-birds are not letting my dog's food alone.

I don't like shooting pigeons because they're not all that bad. And I clearly don't like shooting woodpeckers because I think they look cool. And I'm not willing to shoot at a bird that's smaller than my hand [too hard to hit anyways].

BTW, check to see what kind of help the CG provides for college. Also, check to see if they have their own college [the USAF does]. If they do, go for it. You'll save a lot of many.

I'm already signed up for the USAF for "Full-Active" duty. Uncle Sam provides ful coverage for the first 2 years of any of his military colleges.

Besides, the government does encourage its recruites to study. However, it's the recruite's right to chose so, if he desires.

And remember, your mommy will no longer be around with you to say "Ok son. Time to go to work and school."

*Adam Sandler impression from the movie Waterboy*

"I love my Mama!!!"

LOL

I have clearly read and signed a contract with the USAF. Somewhere in the contract, it says something like this:

"I understand that it is my responsibility to use a fire arm with live rounds when needed."

How often do Air Force Personell (Besides fighter pilots )experience combat?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that i'm against killing people in the military, I'm just curious. Personally, if I ever come under fire while in the military, I have no problems with shooting back

I hope to enlist in the USAF sometime this year. I havn't been able to talk to a recruiter yet, but I will

How often do Air Force Personell (Besides fighter pilots )experience combat?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that i'm against killing people in the military, I'm just curious. Personally, if I ever come under fire while in the military, I have no problems with shooting back

I hope to enlist in the USAF sometime this year. I havn't been able to talk to a recruiter yet, but I will

How often you get shot at, depends on the kind of job you have in the USAF. I'm a Flight Engineer on MH-53 Pave Low's, and I've been shot at (and hit.....in my kevlar helmet) enough. However, most of the AF are what I refer to as REMF's, Rear Echelon Mother Fu**ers. There are a few other jobs out there that bring you a bit closer to the action as well, such as Combat Controller or Pararescueman. The fighter geeks have it easy, and the transport fag's even easier.

BTW, the recruiters WILL lie to you.