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Join the
Coast Guard > Officer Opportunities |
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When you
join the Coast Guard, there's one thing that you definitely
won't lack-opportunity. For instance, as a college graduate,
you may qualify for officer programs with commissions in a
host of fields including engineering, law, intelligence and
more. For high school graduates, the Coast Guard offers both
full-time (enlisted) and part-time (reserve) opportunities in
safety and law enforcement; maritime patrol; environmental
operation; aviation; and more. |
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The Coast
Guard has several Officer Programs available including,
College Student Pre-Commissioning Program (CSPI), Officer
Candidate School, Direct Commission Programs, Selected Reserve
Direct Commission Program, Coast Guard Academy,
Pre-Commissioning For Enlisted Personnel (PPEP), and Blue 21
Guaranteed Flight Initiative. |
College
Student Pre-Commissioning Program
CSPI provides college sophomores and juniors with valuable
leadership, management, law enforcement, navigation and marine
science skills and training. |
Imagine
having your college junior and senior years fully funded. Now
imagine getting a salary while you attend college.
That's what the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI)
offers college sophomores and juniors. Better yet, CSPI
provides students with valuable leadership, management, law
enforcement, navigation and marine science skills and
training. It also provides full payment of school tuition,
fees, textbooks, a salary, medical insurance and other
benefits during a student's junior and senior year of college.
The CSPI program guarantees training at Officer Candidate
School (OCS) upon successful completion of all program
requirements.
Each student is expected to complete his/her degree and all
Coast Guard training requirements. Following the completion of
OCS and commission as a Coast Guard officer, each student will
be required to serve on active duty (full time) as an officer
for four years.
Benefits
 May
pay up to two academic years of college tuition
Most
if not all of approved textbook costs
Approved
essential miscellaneous fees paid for up to two academic years
Monthly
salary of approximately $2,200
Medical
and Life Insurance
30
days paid vacation per year
Leadership
training
Application Eligibility Requirements
Score
a 1000 on the SAT, 1100 on the SAT I, 23 on the ACT, or ASVAB
GT of 109 or higher
Be
between 21 and 26 years of age at the time of your college
graduation
Must
be a sophomore or junior (with at least 60 college credits
completed toward your degree)
Enrolled
in a four-year degree program at an approved institution with
a minimum 25% minority population
Meet
all physical requirements for a Coast Guard Commission
Maintain
a GPA of 2.5 or better
Must
be a U.S. Citizen |
Officer
Candidate School
OCS is a rigorous course of instruction that prepares
candidates to serve effectively as officers in the Coast
Guard. OCS also provides a wide range of highly technical
information necessary for performing the duties of a Coast
Guard officer. |
So you're
just out of school, and you're ready to take your shot in the
big world. You're ready for responsibility and recognition.
Only every employer you talk to is giving you the old "you'll
have to start at the bottom" speech.
The Coast Guard is different. The Coast Guard gives willing,
able college graduates who can past the tests of the Officer
Candidate School (OCS) the chance to be in charge of missions,
in just 17 weeks.
OCS is a rigorous course of instruction which prepares
candidates to serve effectively as officers in the United
States Coast Guard. In addition to indoctrinating students
into a military lifestyle, OCS also provides a wide range of
highly technical information necessary for performing the
duties of a Coast Guard officer.
Graduates of the program receive a commission in the Coast
Guard at the rank of Ensign and are required to serve a
minimum of three years of active duty. Graduates may be
assigned to a ship, flight training, to a staff job, or to an
operations ashore billet. However, first assignments are based
on the needs of the U.S. Coast Guard. Personal desires and
performance at OCS are considered. All graduates must be
available for worldwide assignment.
Eligibility Requirements
Age
Applicants for Officer Candidate must be between the ages of
21 and 26. Applicants may exceed this age limit by the number
of months, up to 60, served on active duty in any Armed Forces
branch.
Military Status
If you are currently serving in another branch of the U.S.
Armed Forces or are enrolled in a ROTC program, you must
provide a release from your service obligations prior to
entering the Coast Guard. Applicants with six or more years of
non-Coast Guard active duty service are not eligible.
Citizenship
All applicants must be United States citizens.
Qualifying Tests
All applicants must provide a qualifying score on the SAT,
ACT, or ASVAB. No waivers will be considered. Minimum
qualifying scores are as follows:
SAT:
combined score 1000 on verbal and math
SAT
1: combined 1100 on verbal and math
ACT:
23
ASVAB:
109 on ASVAB General Technical (GT) Aptitude Area after 1 July
2004; 110 prior to 1 July 2004. The GT score is obtained by
combining the VE (Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension)
and AR (Arithmetic Reasoning) test scores.
Physical
A full medical screening will be conducted in accordance with
your application.
Educational Qualifications
Reserve Commission Applicants must be in their senior year or
hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited
college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Temporary Commission Applicants (active duty Coast Guard
personnel E-5 and above with at least four years of active
duty in any Armed Forces) must have a baccalaureate or higher
degree from an accredited college or university, or 25th
percentile scores on general CLEP exams, or have completed at
least one year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) at
an accredited college or university. Temporary Commission
Applicants must also have completed one college-level math
class or pass the general math CLEP exam. Contact your unit
Educational Service Officer for additional information. |
Direct
Commissions Programs
If you're a professional lawyer, aviator, engineer,
environmental specialist, maritime academy graduate or former
military officer, you can become an officer in the Coast Guard
without attending OCS or boot camp. |
Maritime
Academy Graduate
Maritime Academy Graduates have education and training that
enhances the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its
operational missions. Individuals selected will serve as a
Coast Guard Reserve Officer on full-time active duty. |
The Direct
Commission Maritime Academy Graduate Program is available to
individuals who hold a degree from a qualifying state or
federal Maritime Academy and hold a Third Mate or Third
assistant Engineer license, or a degree major in Marine
Environmental Protection or a related field. Maritime Academy
Graduates have education and training that enhances the Coast
Guard's ability to carry out its operational missions.
Individuals selected will serve as a Coast Guard Reserve
Officer on full-time active duty.
As a Coast Guard Officer, you will join a growing team of
marine safety specialists enforcing U.S. and international
laws and regulations. You will inspect commercial ships and
port facilities, investigate marine casualties, check for
dangerous or illegal cargo, conduct harbor safety patrols, and
license and certify marine personnel. Later, you may be able
to serve in other mission areas of the Coast Guard to broaden
your experience.
Rank and Length of Service
You will attend a five-week Direct Commission Officer School
in New London, CT at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. You will
have the privilege of being a Coast Guard Officer from the
outset. No Boot Camp. No Officer Candidate School.
Full-time active duty lasts for a period of three years, after
which you may apply for extensions. Based on experience,
education and qualifications, selected applicants will be
commissioned as Lieutenant junior grade (O-2), or Ensign (O-1)
in the Coast Guard.
If you elect to remain in the Coast Guard after your original
three-year contract, you may integrate into the regular Coast
Guard after selection for Lieutenant (O-3).
Eligibility Requirements
Have
reached their 21st but not their 41st birthday as of 30
September of the fiscal year in which the selection panel
convenes. To be considered for appointment to Lieutenant
junior grade, applicants must also have sailed for one or more
years on board vessels of the United States in the capacity of
a licensed officer
Applications
may be initiated during the applicant's final year at the
maritime academy, if all other requirements are met
Have
graduated from a qualifying state or federal Maritime Academy
and hold a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer license, or
a degree major in Marine Environmental Protection
Not
be on active duty in any other U.S. Armed Service. However,
you may apply while on active duty, provided you submit a
discharge statement. Applicants in an Inactive Reserve program
must submit a conditional release
Pass
a Coast Guard physical
Be
a U.S. Citizen
Be
able to perform unrestricted service on a 24-hour,
7-day-per-week basis. Any person who is a conscientious
objector, whether or not so classified, is not eligible
GPA:
Have at least a 2.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Additional Training
After one year of your initial three-year contract, you will
have the opportunity to apply for full-time university
graduate or post-graduate training. If accepted, the Coast
Guard will pay all tuition expenses and salary while studying.
After the Program
For those who prefer not to remain on active duty after the
initial three years, this program provides valuable experience
in the maritime field. The challenge of regulating day-to-day
maritime operations, and the supervisory experience you will
receive in the Coast Guard are highly regarded in the private
sector.
How to Apply
Contact a Coast Guard recruiter to apply. |
Coast
Guard Academy
The Coast Guard offers you an integrated life experience that emphasizes
academics, physical fitness, character and leadership. After
graduation, you'll go directly to positions of leadership. |
The Coast
Guard Academy is one of the five federal military service
academies. Located in New London, CT, the Academy's mission is
to produce leaders of character for service to the nation.
About 300 high school graduates enroll annually, leaving four
years later with a Bachelor of Science degree and commission
as an Ensign.
The Academy is one of the top ten academic experiences in
America (Princeton Review 2003). Graduates experience much
more than intellectual growth. The opportunity to develop
physically, morally, and spiritually set the Academy apart.
Two-thirds typically graduate in technical majors, which
include Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval
Architecture and Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
Operations Research and Computer Analysis, and Marine
Environmental Science. Seventy percent compete in Division I
and III intercollegiate sports.
The Academy is tuition free. Cadets also earn a modest
pay-check. Graduates are obligated to serve for five years
upon graduation.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on-line. The annual application
deadline is March 1. There are no congressional nominations.
Director of Admission
US Coast Guard Academy
15 Mohegan Avenue
New London CT 06320-9807
E-mail:
admissions@uscga.edu. |
Pre-Commissioning Program For Enlisted Personnel
PPEP allows selected enlisted personnel to attend college
full-time for one or two years. Upon graduation, you will
attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). Graduates of OCS
receive a Commission in the Coast Guard at the rank of Ensign. |
If you're
currently enlisted in the Coast Guard and are within 24 months
of completing your Bachelor's Degree, you may qualify to have
the Coast Guard pick up the tab for finishing your degree.
PPEP allows selected enlisted personnel to attend college
full-time for one or two years to meet degree requirements.
The Coast Guard provides full funding for tuition, books and
lab fees, and PPEP students continue to receive full pay and
allowances for their enlisted pay grade while attending
college full time.
Upon graduation, you will attend Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Graduates of OCS receive a commission in the Coast Guard at
the rank of Ensign. Graduates may be assigned to a ship,
flight school or an operations ashore billet. However, first
assignments are based on the needs of the Coast Guard.
Personal desires and performance are considered.
Age
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, but not have
reached their 30th birthday as of the date of the selection
panel.
Military Status
Applicants must have at least four years active service in any
military branch. At least two of those years must have been
with the Coast Guard.
Officer Screening Tests
All applicants must provide a qualifying score on the SAT,
ACT, or ASVAB. Waivers to the requirement will not be
entertained.
SAT:
Combined score of 1100 on math and verbal
ACT:
Composite score of 23ASVAB
A
score of 109 on the General Technical portion. This score is a
combination of Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Verbal Ability (VE).
Educational Requirements
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities
attended are required. Applicants must have a minimum Grade
Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be
able to complete Bachelor's Degree requirements within a
24-month window. The applicant must submit a letter of
acceptance from the school they plan to attend as well as a
degree outline. |
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Blue 21
Flight Initiative |
Qualify for
the The BLUE 21 Flight Initiative, and you'll get the
opportunity to become a Coast Guard Aviator through completion
of Officer Candidate School and the guarantee of an assignment
to flight training.
In the exciting and challenging world of Coast Guard Aviation,
you will have the opportunity to save lives, enforce laws,
respond to natural disasters and conduct Homeland Security
Operations, in addition to providing airborne support for all
of the missions of the United States Coast Guard. Coast Guard
Aviators are assigned to Air Stations all along the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Great
Lakes, where they fly one of five high-tech aircraft.
The goal of the BLUE 21 Flight Initiative is to build greater
diversity in the aviation community through targeted
recruitment at colleges and universities with strong minority
populations.
To be eligible for BLUE 21, applicants must have graduated
from a college or university with a minimum 25% minority
population of U.S. citizens in addition to academic and
physical requirements.
Upon completion of OCS, you will receive a commission as an
Ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and be assigned
immediately to flight training in Pensacola, FL. After earning
your "Wings of Gold," you will be assigned to an Air Station
and begin your career as Coast Guard aviator.
Those who successfully complete OCS and flight training will
incur an active duty obligation of 11 years. Those who
complete OCS but are unable to complete flight training will
be reassigned to another Coast Guard unit where they will
continue their career as a commissioned officer and complete
three years of obligated service in addition to any obligated
service incurred during advanced training.
To find out if your school qualifies for BLUE 21, call your
local recruiter.
(Source: US Coast Guard) |
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