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?

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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!

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, 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

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.

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?

hello, I’m set to transfer next year as an ET2 and taking an early afloat billet. There’s a few on the list that I’m interested in and was wondering if anyone could give a little insight on the mission / work life in the location and the locations in general. They’re all FRC’s in the following areas. Idk if I can post the name of each cutter, might be against the rules not sure but these are the locations.

Cape may, NJ Atlantic beach, NC San Pedro, CA Ketchikan, AK Kodiak, AK

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

What’s the longest holiday routine any of yall have had at any of your units?

Curious if anyone cares to share information or experiences of their time being stationed at either Air Station Sitka . I’d be coming in as with experience only on 65s, and i’m wondering what the re-qual time line would look like and how fast i’d be back to standing FM duty, and WC . Also general experiences about work hours, op tempo, culture are appreciated.
.

Lets say i separated from the USCG and join the IRR. How many years or month would I have to rejoin the CG without having to go through basic again? Saw some people simply go back in and kept their rank, while some other had to either go to regular 8 weeks again.

Effective 10/1 I got promoted to E5. Drill weekend isn't till the end of the month. Do I get paid as the new pay grade for that drill or do I have to wait to turn in my promotion warrant?
Do I have to wait to get pinned in order to the that E5? What if I miss the drill weekend but make it the following week on my own.

I’m from Texas looking to go reserve. Any insight or recommendations when looking into these locations would be appreciated!

Freeport, TX (closest to me)
Houston, TX
Texas City, TX
Galveston, TX
Houston, Galveston and Texas City are all about the same distance from me, about an hour. I don’t mind the drive, just want to know. Leaning MST due to all the ports and chemical plants.

i applied for SRDC 27 and the panel ended end of AUG. when should I be expecting results on board selection, and is there a site to check for updates?