Can you tell me about life in the Coast Guard for members and their family?

[Ted E]

I'm prior service Marine Corps and considering enlisting in the USCG. How much time will you spend at sea or otherwise deployed? How's the life for Coast Guard families? I have a wife and two boys. Thanks.

[Daniel M]

The CG is pretty family friendly. The sea time all depends on what rate you choose. There are some people (few) who have never gone to sea. I was on a 270' Cutter and the longest we were ever out was 3 months. The bigger the ship the longer the deployment but I never heard of any longer that 6 months. There are some billets (stations) where you do 48-72 shifts and then are off for 2 days. I was at a sector and never had to stay overnight at the office. The longest I ever when TAD (kind of like deployment was 45 days). I don't know anyone that has gone to the gulf that didn't want to( I am sure there are a few). So i guess all in all its a pretty easy service to have a family but the stresses will still be there. Sudden call ins, overnight duty, some long long days. You will have the added relief of not having to worry about combat death (Just death by mother nature or stupid coxswain).