<p>The overwhelming majority of new ensigns are assigned to a high-endurance cutter for two years. They perform the duties of a junior officer and basically learn the basics of officership and leadership. They are exposed to all the various departments on the cutter and given more responsibility as they go along.</p>
<p>A number of grads go directly to flight training but that is very competitive. Finally a small number have shore-based assignments depending on the needs of the Coast Guard.</p>
<p>After the two-year initial stretch many go to graduate school while some are given command of 87-ft cutters(again a competitive berth).</p>