Coast Guard??

I would think going in an an officer would be better for the pocket book.

 

Some of the info on here should be helpful steering you to make the right decision. If you have any specifics or want to debunk some of the myths on this thread IM me.

 

Cep: All this Navy training you're talking about is SEAL/BUDS training that occurs in Coronado CA. It is very unique, specialized, and not Navy boot camp training. Very, very few Navy enlisted or officers experience anything close to it. General Navy physical training and PFT requirements are not very demanding. Navy and CG rescue swimmers though undergo very tough training, and I consider them to be very good waterman. They have to be. Their lives, the lives of their fellow rescue crew team members, and of course the people they rescue depend on it. But my definition of a waterman may be different.

 

Here in New Smyrna (FL) there's a Coast Guard Station right on the other side of Inlet from where there's surf almost 365!

Course with my luck I'd sign up destined for warm water and waves and be sent to Alaska!

Just like when you sign up for the Navy.... Every new recruit is told they'll be stationed in Hawaii!

 

there's a CG station in Moyock.

 

maybe you might want to consider jobs with Scripps in San Diego, or some of the many state or federal Wildlife, Marine Biologist, or Fish and Game jobs that are available. Nothing against the military, but you would probably be able to pick where you work, make 6 figures in short time, not have to give up any of your personal freedoms, and not have to get a really ugly haircut. I grew up in a military town, and had many family members, friends and acquaintances in the Navy over many generations. There is a reason that 95% of enlistees bail out after their first commitment. A military career is not for everybody.

While the CG is different, it is still a military (or paramilitary) organization, with a very structured code and a delineated chain-of-command. Use your degree to do something you love doing.

 

6 figures for a fed or state wildlife agent?

 

yea ur right it was seals training.but still u have to work ur way up the ladder.everyone starts on the bottom.i tried the drownproofing excercize last summer in the pool.i didn't tie myself up or anything crazy,just bobbed up and down inhaling,exhaling.definitely improved my lung capacity and endurance.key is to stay calm in all situations.id swim a few laps and work myself out of breathe,then completely exhale and see how long I can lay at the bottom of the pool,then bob up take a breath and do it all over again.its good practice for wiping out and only getting 1 breath before u get steamrolled

 

Yeah, I probably got the signals crossed there a bit. More likely 6 figures for a private oceanographic institute. However, there are actually quite a few jobs with Bureau of Land Mgmt and other agencies where you can be a GS-12 or 13 within 5 years, and make 6 figures with overtime or "availability pay". Of course, the pay in states like Washington, Hawaii or Massachusetts will be more than pay in a state like Louisiana or Mississippi.

Maybe I should say $100K instead of "6 figures"?

 

I have a few Coast Guard buddies present and past and they all really love(d) it. I heard they only take tall people because when the ship breaks down you need to be able to walk to shore.

 

New London, CT

That's old school and is now a historic site since it was the first Life Saving Service (predecessor to the USCG) station manned by an all black crew. there is a station at oregon inlet, hatteras inlet and a marine safety detachment in Nags Head.