Life in the coast guard?

[joe s]

I am a college student getting ready to graduate with a A.S. in Criminal Justice. I want to join the coast guard but i have some questions that I need answered but I know the recruiters wont tell me the truth. I am in a 5 year relationship and I hope to get married if I join. I also want to finish school. I also have a dog that I care for deeply. How much time would i spent away from my girl friend and dog and would i be able to take the dog with me whereever i get stationed? With every thing i still want to do is the coast guard the right place for me? Thank you for any truthful answers! If there are any coastguardsmen reading this please any advice on anything in the CG would help. Even what the coolest job is!

[Reanna T]

It depends on where you go in the Coast Guard. If you are on a Cutter then it depends on the size of the cutter for how long of a period you are gone for. For instance the big Polar Rollers are gone for 6 months at a time but there are only 3 of them so you chances of going to that unless you really want to are very slim. If you are on a 378 foot then you are usually gone for 3 months at a time and then home for 2-3 months. If you are on a 270 and anything smaller you are gone for 2 months at a time or a couple weeks and then home for 1-2 months. So as you see the bigger the cutter the longer you are gone. So you could have your girlfriend move to where the cutter is homeported at with the dog. If you are at a land station then you will have some overnight duties but for the most part you would be home almost everyday. You could easily finish school if you joined and the health benefits for you and if you do get married are excellent. My husband has been in for almost 11 years now and plans to stay in for at least 20. We love it so I hope that helps. I don't know what the coolest job would be it's just whatever interests you.

[PomPom]

As an E-3 your chances of getting stationed on a cutter are very high, which means no pets.