Guarding your homeland’s security and human life takes exemplary courage, determination, selflessness and skill. A US Coast Guard Officer is a member of that unique arm of the US military that strives to fulfil its multiple missions of national defence, maritime safety and mobility while safeguarding nat... Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of a Coast Guard Officer?
A Coast Guard Officer would typically need to:
Where Coast Guard Officers are deployed depends on their occupational speciality, their expressed preference, and the need for personnel at specific locations or on particular tasks. You may work in law, environmental protection, aviation, engineering, command, control & communications, computer & information technologies, or intelligence. Your work environment depends on the nature of your assignment.
Some work may occur in an office or laboratory within the Coast Guard station on the shore, while other assignments may require you to be out at sea aboard naval vessels, such as cutters (vessels more than 65 feet long) submarines. It would help to remain physically and mentally prepared to work in difficult and dangerous conditions.
As a Coast Guard aviator, you may be deployed in search-and-rescue missions, spending considerable time in your aircraft surveying areas and ferrying people back and forth from affected locations.
As an engineering officer, you could work in ship manufacturing facilities, supervising the design, construction, maintenance and repair of Coast Guard or merchant vessels, at ports overseeing shore facilities, or in the engine room and propulsion plant of vessels dealing with machinery system maintenance.
You may need to move periodically for training or job assignments that may last two to four years. You may also receive international deployment. Travel is part of your job, and you may receive an appointment at short notice. Extended absence from home and family may be required, depending on your work and where it takes you.
Typically, when you receive a deployment, you will be away from your home base on an extended assignment. If you are on a large cutter, you may be away for three months or more, patrolling and sailing to other ports. Mid-size or small cutters or aircraft usually operate around in the vicinity of the home base, and if you are deployed with them, you may be away from a few days up to a few weeks.
Furthermore, your work schedule depends on whether you are on active duty or in reserve service. Active-duty service runs full-time, while reserve service requires part-time work. Reserve Coast Guard Officers may work in their civilian jobs and serve on duty for an average of two days per month and two weeks per year. Reservists may be called upon to serve on active duty when there is a national need.
Aspiring Coast Guard Officers must follow the prescribed paths to train and receive their first commission in the US Coast Guard. Contact your local recruiter to get a list of all the documents and credentials you must prepare and submit with their help. Recruiters also organise your mandatory background check, financial screening, officer interview, and a physical exam at a MEPS.
Coast Guard Officers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), of which the US Coast Guard is a member, are crucial for Coast Guard Officers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their occupation.
The IMRF is an international NGO (non-governmental organisation) that strives to improve maritime SAR (search-and-rescue) capabilities worldwide. Member organisations exchange knowledge, experience and the latest advancements through diverse activities, such as webinars, forums, conferences and meetings.
Before applying for admission into the Coast Guard Academy, aspiring Coast Guard Officers must participate in activities that demonstrate leadership qualities and well-roundedness, even though academy training will develop these skills in selected candidates.
Sports and community service are excellent avenues for school and college students to acquire and practise teamwork, leadership, communication, initiative and other critical abilities that you will need as a Coast Guard Officer. Experience in athletics will form a significant part of your application to the academy. Try to earn at least one varsity letter to prove your excellence and commitment to sports or other high school-related activities. Becoming a team captain in the sport you play strengthens your application.
On receiving entry into the delayed entry program (DEP), study the recruit guidebook to understand topics such as what you cannot bring to boot camp, the 11 general orders, and the position of attention. Prepare yourself for physical challenges such as running and fitness training.
You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
When current or ex-military officers apply and get selected for a direct commission, the length and nature of their experience determine their duty assignments. For instance, you may apply for direct commission aviator roles if you have experience as a military pilot or flight school graduate from another armed service and have served as an active-duty pilot.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow Coast Guard Officers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
To receive a commission as a Coast Guard Officer, you require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. You must also be a US citizen, pass a background check, and fulfil age and physical requirements.
That said, there are several pathways to becoming a Coast Guard Officer, the three major ones being to join the Coast Guard Academy or gain admission into the Officer Candidate School (OCS) or enter through one of several direct commission programs. Contact your local recruiter to determine which pathway you are eligible for and its admission requirements and procedures.
Candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent may aim for the highly competitive entry into the US Coast Guard Academy by submitting high school grades, requisite test scores, and proof of community service and leadership. After four years of study, they typically earn an engineering, science or mathematics degree. Accredited by ABET (the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology), the engineering majors include civil, electrical, and mechanical. You may also major in naval architecture & marine engineering, marine & environmental science, cyber systems, operations research & computer analysis, government, and management. Upon graduation, you receive your commission as an Ensign, the first rank of Coast Guard Officers, in which you must serve in active duty for a minimum of three years.
The second pathway offers pre-commissioning training for aspiring civilians with a four-year degree from an accredited college. They may apply to the OCS (Officer Candidate School) with all necessary documents and test scores. They must also clear their Armed Forces Aptitude Battery test (ASVAB), physical exam, and an interview with senior Coast Guard Officers. Enlisted personnel with 90 hours or more of college credit may also use this pathway to progress to apply for the ranks of officers.
Direct commissions, which typically qualify you for higher salary grades, make up the third pathway for professional experts, such as lawyers, engineers, aviators, maritime graduates or environmental managers. Graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy or state-sponsored maritime academies are also well-suited to this pathway, having received focused training in various maritime aspects, vessel management and engineering operations. A direct commission leads you to an assignment that matches your profile and specialisation with the needs of the Coast Guard service.
The fourth pathway is the CSPI or the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (Scholarship Program). The program aims at candidates who demonstrate excellence in academics and leadership, wish to serve as US Coast Guard Officers and are enrolled, accepted or pending admission into a full-time bachelor's degree program at designated colleges or institutions. Following the structured program, CSPI students make their way into the Officer Candidate School (OCS) pathway.
It is helpful for aspiring Coast Guard Officers to take high school courses in the sciences, mathematics and physical education.
Certification demonstrates a Coast Guard Officer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and examination. Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can increase your chances of advancement.
Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination and the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Civilian licenses are typically a perk, and your specialisation determines the ones you must have or renew. For instance, if you serve as a lawyer with the Coast Guard, you must possess and maintain the relevant bar licenses.
Graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy or state-sponsored maritime academies who apply for direct commission typically have licenses as US Merchant Marine Officers (deck & engine) and emergency management certification.
On the other hand, you would need Transcripts of Sea Service (TOSS) issued by the US Coast Guard to earn your merchant mariner credentials to serve on board merchant marine vessels.
You have already received officer and flight training in-house if you apply for a direct commission as an ex-military aviator. You will receive further and specific training on Coast Guard aircraft.
An employment background check can include but is not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Certification demonstrates a Coast Guard Officer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and examination. Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can increase your chances of advancement.
Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination and the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Civilian licenses are typically a perk, and your specialisation determines the ones you must have or renew. For instance, if you serve as a lawyer with the Coast Guard, you must possess and maintain the relevant bar licenses.
Graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy or state-sponsored maritime academies who apply for direct commission typically have licenses as US Merchant Marine Officers (deck & engine) and emergency management certification.
On the other hand, you would need Transcripts of Sea Service (TOSS) issued by the US Coast Guard to earn your merchant mariner credentials to serve on board merchant marine vessels.
You have already received officer and flight training in-house if you apply for a direct commission as an ex-military aviator. You will receive further and specific training on Coast Guard aircraft.
An employment background check can include but is not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Candidates with exceptional leadership competencies, specialised technical skills, relevant experience, and higher educational qualifications have the best job prospects.
If selected for the Officer Candidate School (OCS), you receive specialised training for 17 weeks to develop your leadership skills and acquire knowledge of marine science, law enforcement, and seamanship. Successful graduates are commissioned as ensigns in the Coast Guard, initially on three-year active-duty service.
If you receive a direct commission, then during the 30 days that follow, you must typically report to your first unit and then attend the DCO (Direct Commission Officer) training, after which you return to your unit.
Once you receive your commission, continuing professional development (CPD) will help a Coast Guard Officer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, and formal education or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.
The US Coast Guard defines leadership competencies as the knowledge, skills, and expertise its leaders must develop so that the service, as a whole, can continuously improve and remain ready at any moment to tackle any situation. The competencies fall into these four general categories - leading the Coast Guard, leading change, leading self, and leading others.
Professional development courses help Coast Guard Officers develop each of the 28 skills across the categories. These skills include technical proficiency, health & wellbeing, effective communication, team building, decision-making & problem-solving, conflict management, stewardship, technology management, financial management, talent acquisition & employee development, political savvy, and strategic thinking.
Mid-grade officers and civilian personnel may enrol in specific programs to help themselves transition to roles of higher responsibility. There are also diverse professional opportunities sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as the DHS Leadership Development Program, and other advanced education and executive development programs, such as the mentoring program, for Coast Guard Officers.
Funding for courses is available only to candidates who apply and are selected through prescribed procedures. Free e-learning courses to develop leadership competencies are also available. You may take courses relevant and available to your rank.
You may need to pursue higher studies and acquire formal qualifications in your speciality to advance to the highest ranks within the service.
The US Coast Guard
A multimission operation and the country’s oldest seagoing service, the US Coast Guard is a federal law enforcement agency and a military force. Its personnel play the diverse roles of warriors, sailors, regulators and police on the one hand, and humanitarians, guardians of the marine environment and coastline, and diplomats on the other hand. They fulfil a range of duties, such as search and rescue (SAR), maritime law enforcement (MLE), aids to navigation (ATON), ice breaking, environmental protection, port security, and military readiness.
What Is the Difference Between the Coast Guard and Navy?
Both are part of the armed forces in the US and have maritime missions. However, the Navy and the Coast Guard differ in their geographic scopes, core operations and sizes.
Firstly, the Coast Guard’s major operations focus on the US and its waterways, unlike naval missions that require personnel, vessels and aircraft to travel worldwide.
Secondly, while most Coast Guard operations enforce maritime law and protect US waterways and coasts, naval operations pivot around creating and maintaining a fleet ready for any situation, including war, and safeguarding free access to global seas.
Lastly, there are 12 times more active-duty naval personnel than those working for the US Coast Guard.
Difference Between Enlisted Personnel and Officers
Enlistment into the armed forces typically requires candidates to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. At the same time, officers must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. The entry procedures are different, as are the training and the hierarchy of ranks for enlisted personnel and officers.
In terms of responsibilities, enlisted personnel in the armed forces participate in or support combat or other operations, such as disaster relief or humanitarian aid. They deal with equipment operations, maintenance and repairs, performing diverse technical tasks and overseeing junior enlisted personnel.
Officers in the armed forces discharge leadership roles, acting as problem-solvers and influencers. They typically plan military missions, lead troops and operations, supervise and coordinate the work of enlisted personnel, operate and command official aircraft, ships or armoured vehicles, and provide their expertise in diverse fields, including medicine, law and engineering.
What Are Some of the Assets the Coast Guard Uses?
A variety of cutters (US Coast Guard vessels 65 feet or more in length), boats (vessels less than 65 feet long) for diverse purposes, aircraft, including aeroplanes and helicopters, and icebreakers are the mainstay US Coast Guard operations.
Promotion to Higher Ranks
Screening by a promotion board comprising general officers generates a list of recommendations for promotion. The service secretary and joint chiefs review the list before sending it for presidential review. The President nominates the officers to be promoted based on advice from the Secretary of Defense, the service secretary and the chief of staff or service commandant. It is rare for the President to nominate an officer not on the list unless it serves the nation’s interest. The senate’s majority vote confirms a nominee's promotion.
Some Jargon Used by the US Coast Guard
The ASVAB stands for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is a highly researched and relied-upon aptitude test developed by the Department of Defense. The test evaluates a young adult’s strengths and potential to succeed during training for the armed forces.
One version of the ASVAB, which a Military Entrance Processing Station or MEPS delivers, is part of the recruiting and enlisting process. The second version is called the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP). It tests students in high schools and community colleges, job corps centres and correctional facilities and helps them explore career choices.
MEPS are facilities run by military and civilian professionals to evaluate applicants in terms of their physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards laid down by each branch of the armed forces.
What Comes After Coast Guard Service?
It all depends on your specialisation, but your transferable skills from experience as a Coast Guard Officer will open up multiple civilian work opportunities.
Civil engineers are in demand to solve diverse human problems and engage with various projects, such as infrastructural, geotechnical and construction. Electrical engineering graduates are equipped to work in software design, databases, computer network security, radio frequency propagation, antennas, electrical energy & electrical machines, autonomy & robotics, communications & signal processing, and power & renewable energy. Mechanical engineers can join industrial manufacturing, shipbuilding or aerospace firms or become entrepreneurs.
Naval architects and marine engineers may use their expertise to contribute to ship designing and building. Operations research & computer analysis experts will find a role in nearly every industry. Technical skills and leadership experience allow marine and environmental science graduates to take up civilian roles in science, government or industry.
As a management graduate, you could take up diverse civilian roles that require people, financial or information management. Those who specialise in government matters can enter law, public policy or public administration or even engage with security studies, intelligence and international affairs.
The CSPI or the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (Scholarship Program)
You must fulfil the CSPI eligibility requirements to receive acceptance into the program. Some of these relate to the minimum or maximum age, citizenship, security clearance, dependency, school, education, GPA, financial situation, and scores on aptitude tests such as the ASVAB, SAT or ACT. You would also need to clear an interview and a physical exam. Those aiming to become Coast Guard pilots may apply for the Wilk’s Flight Initiative (WiFI), a guaranteed flight program. At all times, candidates must abide by the CSPI terms of service and appointment grade.
Under the guidelines, students awarded the CSPI scholarship are enlisted in the US Coast Guard, receive basic summer training, and are fully funded for two years of college. They must follow the training schedules laid out for the school year and school breaks and abide by the regulations for wearing the Coast Guard uniform. The Recruiter in Charge (RIC) supervises the trainees. Students may be assigned to work at a Coast Guard Air Station, a Coast Guard Small Boat Station or a Sector and participate in Coast Guard Cutter cruise, if possible. They may also qualify as watch standers, a helpful step towards becoming an officer.
Following their junior year at college, CSPI students complete the Officer Candidate Indoctrination, a three-week leadership training program during the summer. On graduating from college, they attend a 17-week program at the Officer Candidate School (OCS), completing which they receive their entry-level commission as Ensigns (O-1) and their first assignment. They could be placed in any of the four chief officer operational specialities, afloat, aviation, prevention and response. Depending on what the service requires and the officer candidate’s skills, training, experience, and aspirations, assignments could be in the Coast Guard Sector, aboard a Coast Guard Cutter, or in a Coast Guard flight school for training to become a Coast Guard pilot.
In peacetime and war, Coast Guard Officers discharge diverse maritime duties, faithfully defending the country’s borders, coastline, waterways, and ports against various threats, enforcing its laws at sea, and safeguarding the maritime environment and commerce. They participate in search-and-rescue missions to remote places in seemingly impossible conditions. It may not always be smooth sailing, but knowing that you are a pivotal force in your nation’s wellbeing and security will help you navigate challenging situations and keep you afloat.
It is up to you to keep proving your worth and demonstrate that you stand head and shoulders above your peers. It is never too early to begin preparing for your next qualification exam. If possible, sign up for civilian college courses and military correspondence programs.
The US Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and the Navy during wartime.
What do Coast Guard Officers do?
A Coast Guard Officer would typically need to:
Accredited
$48,660
