Army National Guard or U.S. Coast Guard?

[REPOEDsDIME]

I'm currently looking into both the National Guard and the Coast Guard. Which ever one I may choose, will be for alot of reasons. I really would not like to discuss all of them, but to some it all up. I would like to choose one as a Career. It will not be a 2yr or 4yr term. I'll be joining to retire. As well as continuously educate myself more and more in school. I would like to get a degree in Criminal Justice for right now and then keep moving on earning more degrees in certain things that interest me. I would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about either of these two branches of our fine Military. All opinions are welcome. Except for those who want to bash the military, or my decision to join these fine men and women. Thanks in advance!

 

[Sapperstang]

Active duty Coast Guard? If so I say Coast Guard.

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

Yes, either one will be active duty. I am leaning towards Coast Guard but I also know a good friend who's been in the military 15+ years and could really help me out with the National Guard...

 

[FLYIN]

Marines, but I am partial.

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

Thinking of getting into this...




Damage Controlman (DC)

Damage Controlman (DCs) are the Coast Guard’s maintenance and emergency repair specialist. Damage Controlmen assigned to Cutters are responsible for maintaining watertight integrity, emergency equipment associated with firefighting and flooding; plumbing repairs; welding fabrication and repairs; chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare detection and decontamination.

DCs assigned ashore are responsible for the maintenance and repairs to facility structures and Coast Guard owned housing units. Shore side responsibilities include repairs and installations to roofs, siding, sheetrock, windows, doors, flooring, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, appliances, as well as many types of welding repairs. The shore side DC also performs small construction and renovations projects.

Types of Duty

DCs are stationed throughout the Coast Guard, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Afloat assignments for DCs include all major Cutters, buoy tenders, and river tenders. Aboard Cutters, DCs are assigned to the engineering department where they qualify to stand engineering watches. Shore side assignments for DCs include Integrated Support Commands (ISCs), Air Stations, Groups, Loran Stations, Marine Safety Offices, Tactical Law Enforcement Units, and small boat Stations.

Training Available:

Training to become a Damage Controlman can be accomplished by on-the-job training or by attending Damage Controlman ”A” in Yorktown, VA. In the 13 weeks of DC”A” school, students will have classroom instruction and lab time in each of the following areas: welding; oxy-fuel gas cutting; firefighting; carpentry; plumbing; watertight closure maintenance; chemical, biological, and radiological warfare defense; and shipboard damage control. Advanced training in welding, firefighting, and shipboard damage control procedures are available for DCs assigned to Cutters.

Qualifications:

To be a DC, you should have an interest in performing construction, repairs, and responding to emergencies. Practical experience or prior training in Welding, Carpentry, Plumbing, and Firefighting is helpful but not required.

Related Civilian Jobs:

Welder
Plumber
Carpenter
Pipe Fitter
Ship fitter
Fire Fighter
Home Inspector
Building Inspector
Trade School Teacher
Construction Foreman
Maintenance Supervisor

 

[Nvr_Spds]

If you dont like sleep, go DC. Its the same thing in the Navy. Its not an easy job.

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

If you dont like sleep, go DC. Its the same thing in the Navy. Its not an easy job.

Could you explain? Do you do this? Or could you fill me in a little more? Thanks

 

[CobraBoy96]

Marines....best thing i've ever done.

 

[stvdman]

REPOEDsDIME- If you want info on the USCG feel free to PM me or post here with questions. I have been in for 15 years now, I am a Chief Marine Science Tech (E-7). I have been around alot of different units, know alot about the different ratings, and have a good grasp on what daily life in the CG is all about.

You can also get ahold of me at [email protected] feel free to shoot me an email.......

 

[ZYBORG]

For what you seem to be looking for, I say the Coast Guard. especially if you are trying to be in the criminal justice field. The Coast Guard is the only service that actually does criminal drug busts and the like. And you will get trained in many other things making you a well rounded individual. Armys MOS's are more concentrated on just their job specification.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Dusten]

DC is a tough job(navy here, E6, 7 years in) because you are going to be on the emergency repsonse team for any kind of fire, flood, or any crisis in general. Plus, when drills are run, you are right there. Now, i am by no means telling you to stay away, it is not a cake walk though. Also, if you are wanting active duty, and to do 20, i recommend coast guard over the nat guard. With the nat guard, you are going to spend alot of time in the dirt, and it can burn you out.

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

Stvdman... thank you, I will E-Mail you ASAP. As for the rest of the ecouragement and opinions, thank you guys. Keep it coming. I just want to make sure I'm not getting the run around talking to a recruiter. I know they have their ways, etc and I truely would just like to hear from normal, everyday people that have been there, and done that. The last thing I want to do is make a mistake on which route I want to go and your opinions are already helping. Keep it coming guys, I really appreciate it.

 

[Floof]

USMC, I'll be re-enlisting within the next few years, I miss it!

and BTW, the USCG is not a branch of the military, it is and has been part of the Dept. of Homeland Security for some time now.

IF you want CJ material and an easy life (as far as military goes), look into the USAF security Forces, equivalent to USMC MPs and such. I don't know how their training and such compares, but I'm sure it's decent.

Once again, USMC is the way to go. You will learn things about yourself that you never knew of and/or were capable of.

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

USMC, I'll be re-enlisting within the next few years, I miss it!

and BTW, the USCG is not a branch of the military, it is and has been part of the Dept. of Homeland Security for some time now.

IF you want CJ material and an easy life (as far as military goes), look into the USAF security Forces, equivalent to USMC MPs and such. I don't know how their training and such compares, but I'm sure it's decent.

Once again, USMC is the way to go. You will learn things about yourself that you never knew of and/or were capable of.

"The U.S. Coast Guard is one of five branches of the US Armed Forces, and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security."


I'm going to look into the USMC as well, I'm just trying to do my research first.


BTW, nice sig :lol: Are those HID's?

 

[Floof]

"The U.S. Coast Guard is one of five branches of the US Armed Forces, and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security."


I'm going to look into the USMC as well, I'm just trying to do my research first.


BTW, nice sig :lol: Are those HID's?

Why yes, yes they are :rollseyes

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

......

 

[ZYBORG]

Hey Floof did you ever get your car taken care of?

 

[REPOEDsDIME]

So out of all the people on this site there's only a few in the military? Or people with opinions on any of the branches of military?

 

[Floof]

Yea it'll be out of the shop by next week, not really much damage, most of the cost was doing minor frame pulls then re-lasering and all that, think it came out to about 10 separate, small, frame pulls. Also replacing most of the front right suspension, K member, LCAs, to start it off with a nice clean slate. Then I'm returning it to stock and selling/trading it in. Next car is an 02-04 Laguna Seca Blue m3 w/ SMG. I still need to sell my roush rims and all that, but I've derailed this kids thread too much already. If you are interested, send me a PM.

More on topic, go USMC =)

Semper Fi!

 

[Sapperstang]

So you would be able to get an Active Duty national guard slot?