troth
Member
I'm in a position where I'd like to apply to both Navy and Coast Guard OCS. I have decided that the Navy would be my first choice because they can guarantee me a flight seat before I sign 8 years of my life away. Also it seems there are more options for career advancement opportunities like getting a grad degree and pipe dreams like jets/test pilot school.
I still want to apply to Coast Guard OCS in case I am not accepted into the Navy. I'd really like to fly Jayhawks, but I don't really want to run the risk of going to Coast Guard OCS and then not getting a flight seat. I would like to keep the Coast Guard application in as a backup plan in case I am not accepted into the Navy. I understand the Coast Guard doesn't want to be seen as a backup plan, but that's what it is due to the chance of ending up strapped to a tin can floating around the arctic.
Bottom line is I see two possible scenarios playing out in both services:
Coast Guard - Could end up in Jayhawks (good), or could end up on tin can (very, very bad)
Navy- Could end up as part of the 42% (good), or end up in rotary wanting to switch to flying pretty much the same bird for the Coast Guard
What if I am accepted to both and decide to go Navy? If I am not part of the 42% that ends up in jets, I think my next choice would be to fly the MH-60. If I wanted to apply DCA with MH-60 experience after turning down an OCS slot years before, would my chances be significantly impacted? Would there be opportunities for a conditional release to transfer to the Coast Guard before my time in the Navy is up? Are there any shore tour billets for Navy rotary guys to work with the Coast Guard? Being stuck on a carrier only seems worth it to me if I can be flying jets.
I guess what I am trying to figure out here is if there are ways into the Coast Guard from the Navy if I don't end up in jets, and how having already applied to Coast Guard OCS would affect those opportunities. I am trying to choose the path that keeps as many doors open as possible for me. Should I just not submit an application for Coast Guard OCS at this time? I graduate in May and don't want to be sitting twiddling my thumbs for months waiting on the next Coast Guard board after not getting into the Navy.
Sorry for the rambling. These are just some questions I've been pondering for awhile and would like some experienced input to see if my concerns are valid at all, or if anyone has some career guidance.
I still want to apply to Coast Guard OCS in case I am not accepted into the Navy. I'd really like to fly Jayhawks, but I don't really want to run the risk of going to Coast Guard OCS and then not getting a flight seat. I would like to keep the Coast Guard application in as a backup plan in case I am not accepted into the Navy. I understand the Coast Guard doesn't want to be seen as a backup plan, but that's what it is due to the chance of ending up strapped to a tin can floating around the arctic.
Bottom line is I see two possible scenarios playing out in both services:
Coast Guard - Could end up in Jayhawks (good), or could end up on tin can (very, very bad)
Navy- Could end up as part of the 42% (good), or end up in rotary wanting to switch to flying pretty much the same bird for the Coast Guard
What if I am accepted to both and decide to go Navy? If I am not part of the 42% that ends up in jets, I think my next choice would be to fly the MH-60. If I wanted to apply DCA with MH-60 experience after turning down an OCS slot years before, would my chances be significantly impacted? Would there be opportunities for a conditional release to transfer to the Coast Guard before my time in the Navy is up? Are there any shore tour billets for Navy rotary guys to work with the Coast Guard? Being stuck on a carrier only seems worth it to me if I can be flying jets.
I guess what I am trying to figure out here is if there are ways into the Coast Guard from the Navy if I don't end up in jets, and how having already applied to Coast Guard OCS would affect those opportunities. I am trying to choose the path that keeps as many doors open as possible for me. Should I just not submit an application for Coast Guard OCS at this time? I graduate in May and don't want to be sitting twiddling my thumbs for months waiting on the next Coast Guard board after not getting into the Navy.
Sorry for the rambling. These are just some questions I've been pondering for awhile and would like some experienced input to see if my concerns are valid at all, or if anyone has some career guidance.