-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
Coast Guard Aviators
- Thread starter Davey
- Start date
- Status
Only CG Academy Grads are required to do a 2 year afloat tour after their graduation. A small number of OCS grads, maybe 5 out of a class of 30 something get to go to flight school right out of OCS. From what I understand whether or not you get flight school right out of OCS depends on your class rank when you complete OCS. If you don't get into flight school right out of OCS you can always apply from your duty station with an endorsement from your CO. When I applied from my duty station 23 of 26 applicants were picked up. If you meet all the requirements and have a strong endorsement you're almost guaranteed a slot. Hope this helps.
Extraordinary assistance! Thanks for the varied responses, www.coastguardocs.com is subpar. It's correct to say that after CG OCS or a first tour you show up to API (same thing as "flight school")? As far as cutters go, there is a new helo called the HITRON (occasionally called Mako) that is showing up on fewer than 5 cutters. It's armed with a .50 caliber and a bit shorter than the Dolphin. Those guys go underway and so do some Dolphins, but for the most part CG pilots are based at Air Stations stateside.
Go Get 'Em
Go Get 'Em
Adrenaline Rush
Registered User
Jman, how long had you been in the coast guard when you were picked up for a pilot slot?
If everybody trains in the T-34C during Primary and Intermediate, I assume you've learned after 90 some odd hours how to fly a fixed wing aircraft well. Then if you have chosen helos, can you switch back to flying fixed wing at a later date? I guess that would consist of goig back to Advanced. Any takers?
Go Get 'Em
Go Get 'Em
Grandmaster235
World's Greatest Pilot
Not sure if it's possible in the USCG - I've heard that it's not, for whatever that's worth.
The navy does have that opportunity, which I described yesterday in another topic thread:
{All Forums/Naval Aviation Training/Primary/E2/C2 transitions}
LUCK = THE INTERSECTION OF PREPARATION AND OPPORTUNITY
The navy does have that opportunity, which I described yesterday in another topic thread:
{All Forums/Naval Aviation Training/Primary/E2/C2 transitions}
LUCK = THE INTERSECTION OF PREPARATION AND OPPORTUNITY
I did 4 years at the academy and then one year afloat (which is rare, most are required ot do their full 2 year assignment, it depends on your cutter and CO). I have mixed stories about transferring between platforms in the CG. Most of the older aviators that you talk to will tell you that they've had the opportunity in their career to cross-deck over to another platform due to the needs of the service and pilot shortages. Someone recently told me that they heard it was easier to switch platforms if you were initially a fixed-wing pilot. Not sure about that though. With the CG's Deepwater project it looks like the aircraft we're using may change significanlty in the next few years so any discussion about changing platforms is really just speculation. To my knowledge it isn't too difficult to get the platform that you desire. There are plenty of people that want to fly helos for the SAR missions, and there are also those who prefer fixed wing (C-130 of Falcons). As of recently there had been few C-130 slots but I hear that the CG just received 6 more C-130s so that should help. Flight selection in the CG doesn't appear to be as competitive as that of other services just due to the fact that we need pilots. Many pilots who were thinking of retiring prior to 9/11 pulled their retirement letters and this caused a slight decrease in C-130 billets available. It seems like the CG is always needing helo pilots. When I applied 23 of 26 were selected and the same seems to hold true for the boards after mine. The CG needs pilots so if you're test scores are good, you get a good CO recommendation, and your physically and medically qualified you're pretty much in. There are guys in the program now that just graduated from OCS and are now waiting to start API. The last guy I talked to said of his OCS class 8 people wanted flight school, there were 6 openings available, and 5 people were selected. Not bad odds. The only surefire way to get in is to do well at your first command, or do well in your academic standing in OCS because that will determine who gets the slots that are available. The CG usually starts 2-3 coasties per API class (starts every week) and that seems to be the norm. Most of this info is through the grapevine so take it with a grain of salt. Hope the info helps, let me know if you have any more questions.
jman,
Do you know what the process is like to do a lateral transfer from the Navy to the CG following the initial Navy flight commitment. I have heard that the CG will often take aviators from other branches to fill their helo/fixed wing needs. Have you heard anything like this?
Do you know what the process is like to do a lateral transfer from the Navy to the CG following the initial Navy flight commitment. I have heard that the CG will often take aviators from other branches to fill their helo/fixed wing needs. Have you heard anything like this?
Grandmaster235
World's Greatest Pilot
I'm not jman, but let me take a stab at your question, and he can by all means correct me or expand.
The USCG has a Direct Commission Aviator program which takes prior military aviators, commissions them as an O-2 (LTJG) (O-1 if you were an army warrant) with credit for prior service for pay and retirement purposes. You would go to the Direct Commission Officer school in New London, CT (about a month?) and then Mobile, AL, for platform training. The problem: gotta do it before your 30 (I think - just going from memory because I looked closely at this program). Not sure if the age req is waiverable.
It's not a lateral transfer - you would finish with the Navy completely before you get your direct commission to the USCG. They have a lot of details on thier recruiting web site.
LUCK = THE INTERSECTION OF PREPARATION AND OPPORTUNITY
The USCG has a Direct Commission Aviator program which takes prior military aviators, commissions them as an O-2 (LTJG) (O-1 if you were an army warrant) with credit for prior service for pay and retirement purposes. You would go to the Direct Commission Officer school in New London, CT (about a month?) and then Mobile, AL, for platform training. The problem: gotta do it before your 30 (I think - just going from memory because I looked closely at this program). Not sure if the age req is waiverable.
It's not a lateral transfer - you would finish with the Navy completely before you get your direct commission to the USCG. They have a lot of details on thier recruiting web site.
LUCK = THE INTERSECTION OF PREPARATION AND OPPORTUNITY
Grandmaster235
World's Greatest Pilot
Well, report back if I was wrong and I'll change my post. Good Luck!!
Elder
US Coast Guard C-130 Demonstration Team
Just found this thread, and while I know it's old and probably has served it's purpose, here's some more information on the Coast Guard's Direct Commission Aviator Program.
http://www.gocoastguard.com/dc/dcahome.htm
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be over 21 and under 32 years of age
- Meet prescribed physical standards
- Not be on active duty in the military (except USCG) at the time of commissioning; or submit a letter of resignation from your current service with your application
- Have not more than 10 years active duty
- Have full-time military or civilian flight experience within two years of the published application deadline
- Have a Baccalaureate Degree or have completed 30 semester hours (45 quarters hours) at an accredited college or university
- Have served a minimum of two years as either a Warrant Officer in the Army or a Commissioned Officer in any of the Armed Forces
- Present evidence of being a military rated pilot with a minimum of 500 flight hours
I'm not a DCA, my story is a little different. Enlisted in 1989, made First Class Yeoman in 1997. Finally got off my butt and applied for OCS in 1998.
Since my vision sucked, couldn't apply for flight school then.
I think about 8 of my classmates did apply. All those that were qualified, except 1, was selected. The 1 not selected wasn't recommended by the OCS Staff - my guess is, confidence. He did great, was a great person, just lacked confidence. He's flying HH-60's now (applied several times after OCS, finally got in)
Last year, I had already initiated PRK procedures for myself prior to the Navy/Coast Guard allowing it for flight school.
So, had it done, husteled, did rather poorly on the Flight Aptitude.. think all 5's and one 4 for the required stuff. Was funny, because the Navy lady told me they looked for 7's.. heh. I know people that got in with average lower scores than I got, so figured I was ok.
I think they took 24 our of 36 that applied.. maybe a smaller ratio.. but not by much.
As someone mentioned above, it's really good odds. For as long as I can remember, the Coast Guard has always been short aviators, even keeping some on contract after they retire. (I was stationed at 3 consecutive Air Stations when I was a YN).
When I applied to flight school, I was a LTJG, I had over 13 years of active service, no degree, and was 32 years old.
I guess performace counts for something.
By the time I start IFS, I'll be a LT. By the time I start API, I'll be 33.
Same pay and benefits, but get to see family a tad more often. Yeah, we don't have any of them fancy F-18 Super Hornets, but what we got works.
The HITRON as someone mentioned, is the Coast Guard's only armed aircraft.. and really, it's just got a gun and a gunner hanging out the side.. no missles or gatlin guns aiming forward
I met a lil tiny blonde at a conference, and turns out she was flying one of those things.. They're all based out of Florida, and my guess is, you wouldn't fly one your entire career, as we have very few, and I doubt we'll get more.. very specialized specific missions.
And as someone mentioned above, who knows what we'll get in the future. The Falcon's replacement is still being looked at, though the service contracts I guess have been extended again until 2005. New C-130J's are slowly rolling out - now if we can only get some pilots and mechs who know how to fly 'em and fix 'em..
Anyway, looking forward to it.. hope my old bones can take API
http://www.gocoastguard.com/dc/dcahome.htm
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be over 21 and under 32 years of age
- Meet prescribed physical standards
- Not be on active duty in the military (except USCG) at the time of commissioning; or submit a letter of resignation from your current service with your application
- Have not more than 10 years active duty
- Have full-time military or civilian flight experience within two years of the published application deadline
- Have a Baccalaureate Degree or have completed 30 semester hours (45 quarters hours) at an accredited college or university
- Have served a minimum of two years as either a Warrant Officer in the Army or a Commissioned Officer in any of the Armed Forces
- Present evidence of being a military rated pilot with a minimum of 500 flight hours
I'm not a DCA, my story is a little different. Enlisted in 1989, made First Class Yeoman in 1997. Finally got off my butt and applied for OCS in 1998.
Since my vision sucked, couldn't apply for flight school then.
I think about 8 of my classmates did apply. All those that were qualified, except 1, was selected. The 1 not selected wasn't recommended by the OCS Staff - my guess is, confidence. He did great, was a great person, just lacked confidence. He's flying HH-60's now (applied several times after OCS, finally got in)
Last year, I had already initiated PRK procedures for myself prior to the Navy/Coast Guard allowing it for flight school.
So, had it done, husteled, did rather poorly on the Flight Aptitude.. think all 5's and one 4 for the required stuff. Was funny, because the Navy lady told me they looked for 7's.. heh. I know people that got in with average lower scores than I got, so figured I was ok.
I think they took 24 our of 36 that applied.. maybe a smaller ratio.. but not by much.
As someone mentioned above, it's really good odds. For as long as I can remember, the Coast Guard has always been short aviators, even keeping some on contract after they retire. (I was stationed at 3 consecutive Air Stations when I was a YN).
When I applied to flight school, I was a LTJG, I had over 13 years of active service, no degree, and was 32 years old.
I guess performace counts for something.
By the time I start IFS, I'll be a LT. By the time I start API, I'll be 33.
Same pay and benefits, but get to see family a tad more often. Yeah, we don't have any of them fancy F-18 Super Hornets, but what we got works.
The HITRON as someone mentioned, is the Coast Guard's only armed aircraft.. and really, it's just got a gun and a gunner hanging out the side.. no missles or gatlin guns aiming forward
And as someone mentioned above, who knows what we'll get in the future. The Falcon's replacement is still being looked at, though the service contracts I guess have been extended again until 2005. New C-130J's are slowly rolling out - now if we can only get some pilots and mechs who know how to fly 'em and fix 'em..
Anyway, looking forward to it.. hope my old bones can take API
When I talked to the Coast Guard recruiter, my impression is that it is much more difficult to get picked up for an OCS slot than the other services, with the exception of the Air Force maybe. That's interesting that it is easier to get aviation once you are in. I'm applying for the Navy (SNA and SNFO). The CG recruiter made me feel like it wouldn't be worth my effort to apply.
Elder
US Coast Guard C-130 Demonstration Team
I don't know if it's harder to get in.
Obviously, we're the smallest of all the services, so in that aspect, yeah, our classes might be smaller, and we have fewer of them.
I was picked up my first time I applied, but I think the Coast Guard weighs experience heavily.
I think I'd rather have a 8 year enlisted veteran that has proven himself than a Humboldt State graduate that is still clogged with hops and bong resin.
But yeah, seems once your an Officer, if you're qualified, you'll get into flight if you keep applying.
My classmate I spoke about took 2 or 3 times after OCS to finally get picked up for flight. This was in spite of the fact that his dad was an O-6 and a CO of a Coast Guard Air Station.
Good luck!
E
Obviously, we're the smallest of all the services, so in that aspect, yeah, our classes might be smaller, and we have fewer of them.
I was picked up my first time I applied, but I think the Coast Guard weighs experience heavily.
I think I'd rather have a 8 year enlisted veteran that has proven himself than a Humboldt State graduate that is still clogged with hops and bong resin.
But yeah, seems once your an Officer, if you're qualified, you'll get into flight if you keep applying.
My classmate I spoke about took 2 or 3 times after OCS to finally get picked up for flight. This was in spite of the fact that his dad was an O-6 and a CO of a Coast Guard Air Station.
Good luck!
E
- Status