Coast Guard Questions

powerhawk · 07-26-2008, 02:02 PM

I just saw the coast guard on the show Risk Takers... it seems like an awesome job. I've been considering the Naval Academy and CGA, but I missed out on AIM, which really sucks. I really, really regret not signing up for AIM. I just have some questions about life in the CGA and after graduation.

1) How does the placement system work after you graduate? Do they just tell you where you will go, is it a billet system, or what?

2) How are the opportunities for grad school, and after you serve? How does the name fare when applying to grad school, and in the job market?

3) Are people generally happy with the Coast Guard Academy? At the Naval Academy's summer seminar, my cadre said: "The Naval Academy is good while your away, but it sucks while you're here." Well, I can deal with that if I have to.

4) How big are the risks you take in the Coast Guard? The risks wouldn't bother me so much, but it would be good to know beforehand.

5) Does CGA take any outside credits? I will have 30+ credits from APs and 30+ credits from college courses.

Thanks so much for the help. The Coast Guard seems like it would suit me more than the Navy, and the fact the academy has bodybuilding as a sport is amazing!

trackandfield08 · 07-26-2008, 07:05 PM

Okay, so I just got back from the AIM program and it was amazing and Im sorry that you were unable to participate. Now, I do not attend CGA but I know most of the answers to your questions...
1. The placement system is basically on an academic scale. Everyone makes a couple of choices and puts their names in for selection. Typically, the people at the top of their class get basically any assignment they want, the middle people are usually placed within their top three choices, and the people at the bottom of their class typically have a harder time getting the assignment they want.

2. The Coast Guard sends a lot of people to grad school...typically after two years of service, they will also pay for your education as they look at grad school as a "tour."

3. I spoke to my cadre at AIM and they said that while the academy is hard, it can also be a lot of fun. They said there are a lot of challenges, academically, physically, and militarily but the end result is extremely rewarding.

4. not so sure what you mean by this question lol

5. I know that for AP credits you have to get a 5 on the AP Tests and take a waiver exam...basically a test that if you score high enough will get you out of taking that certain class. Im not so sure about college courses though.

Hope this helps!

powerhawk · 07-26-2008, 07:25 PM

Thanks, that helps a lot. I have a few more specific questions.

Do you get to choose and apply for grad schools like a normal undergrad (after the few years of service)? How many years do they stack on for paying for your grad school?

Also, if you want to be a pilot, is there a Coast Guard flight school like TOPGUN?

Basically for me, I want to go to an Academy and the only thing that would dissuade me would be the fact I'm losing 60-70 credits. I could get over that though, because being an officer seems like a worthwhile experience.

Bossf51 · 07-27-2008, 07:47 AM

You won't get transfer credits at CGA or any of the other Academies. The flight candidates go to Pensacola NAS. There is also a school at the Mobile CG base.

You can apply to many different grad schools. You must extend your tour by the same number of years you are in the graduate program.

There is a certain level of risk in any military service. You are not fighting per se like in the army but there are other risks. If you are worried about them, however, you better not apply.

powerhawk · 07-27-2008, 09:54 AM

The risks wouldn't bother me.

I know USNA takes a decent number of APs and validation tests, so I thought the coast guard might do the same. (USNA Course Validation Policy)

sweetness62 · 07-27-2008, 04:58 PM

My son is a swab at the CGA and took the Calculus placement test this summer (also scored 5 on the AP exam), and was informed that he is able to take Calc 2 in fall semester instead of Calc 1. You don't get credit, but you don't have to re-take if you in effect "test-out".

powerhawk · 07-27-2008, 05:25 PM

Meh, I'll have taken calc 1, 2, 3, differential equations, and linear alegbra by the time I'm a freshman.

CGAMOM2012 · 07-28-2008, 02:34 PM

My daughter also is also a "2012" swab and took the Calculus placement test. She placed out of Calc I. However, Academic Advisors advised to just retake Calc I anyway. Not sure if her score was borderline or this is advice they give all Swabs that test out of Calc I. Some Cadets (I know in other classes) have tested out of Calc I and Calc II and took Calc III 1st semester of 4/C year.