svtcobra66 Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I have a few questions I'd like to ask Coast Guard pilots as I'm considering the Blue 21 flight initiative. Please PM or respond if you are a pilot or have any experience with the program. Thanks Quote
svtcobra66 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 whats the blue 21 flight initiative? It basically guarantees you'll go to flight school after OCS, though it doesn't guarantee you'll pass flight school, and it requires an 11 year commitment should you become a pilot. If you wash out, you still serve as an officer but I think its only like 3 years after OCS. You can google it for more info. Quote
HeliZach Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 I am a Coast Guard Ensign currently in Pensacola for Naval Flight Training. If you have any questions about the path from civilian to CG Aviator, I'd be glad to help. Quote
Linc Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 My brother and father kept trying to get me to do the transition to USCG, but it required me to totally ETS from the Army. I'm not the kind to give up a bird in the hand for two in the bush... Quote
dolphindriver Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 Linc, I can certainly understand your concerns and I completely agree. However, there are ways around it. You do not have to be completely ETS'd to apply for the program. In fact it is better for you if you are not. What you do need is something that either says the Army will let you out if you get picked up for the program. Although I haven't seen one of those for years. Or you need something that states when your ETS will be. I know I had a letter 1 year out that stated the date I would be released from the Army on a specific date. If you have either of those, you can submit a selection packet. If you are only going to get out if you get that job then it becomes a bit more complicated. I will tell you that being a CG pilot was worth every bit of hassle it took for me to get in. I pin on O-4 in a month or two and I have enjoyed every minute. Good luck. If you do decide to go this route and need any assistance in the process let me know. Quote
Linc Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 Sir, I appreciate it, but I'm too far along for the USCG to take me seriously, and not far enough along in my civilian education to make a serious competitive go at it. Flying is obviously not the problem, just getting in, learning the new system, and being able to give the USCG enough time to feel they got their money's worth out of me. My brother is an AE2 or AE1, crewmember and all that. He keeps telling me I need to go USCG also. I'm pretty sure at my age, that ship has sailed. I have a high school classmate who went to MMA and is now an O-4 in the USCG. Not sure which bird, but I think she's in Jayhawks. She was always a smart one...student body president, graduated at or near the top of our class, just the kind of person the academies look for. Life is what you make of it, so I'm pretty fine with where I am right now. Deployments suck, but I fly with some great Americans and pretty good pilots, and the flying is always great! Even on the bad days. Quote
dolphindriver Posted May 26, 2009 Posted May 26, 2009 Linc, You don't have to call me sir we are on the internet. I am enjoyed my time in the Army as well and I am glad you are enjoying it as well. Since you brought it up, I have to ask, how old are you and how much time in service do you have? As for the college, I have a few friends who also came in as DCAs and still don't have degrees as O-4s and O-5s. I am certainly not trying to talk you into switching over to the dark side, I am just curious. Quote
Linc Posted May 28, 2009 Posted May 28, 2009 I am older than 35 and I have 3.5 years to being eligible for military retirement. I thought I was already on the dark side? Quote
Aldereguia Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 I do have a question i am a highschool graduate working on my rotorcraft lisense I served 5 years in the army as a mechanic if I were to go coast guard would they put me into a position having a rotorcraft lisense to fly? or rather would i still have to got hrough college to be able to become an officer, I guess what I am asking is if they have something like the warrent officer program? Quote
CharyouTree Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 I have a high school classmate who went to MMA and is now an O-4 in the USCG. Not sure which bird, but I think she's in Jayhawks. She was always a smart one...student body president, graduated at or near the top of our class, just the kind of person the academies look for. Mass Maritime Academy? That's right down the street from me. I don't suppose she's flying out of CGAS Cape Cod? (Where I work, but I'm on the other side of the airfield with the Army) Quote
Linc Posted August 3, 2009 Posted August 3, 2009 Actually, USMMA, Long Island, NY. I don't think she's on the northeast coast now. I think she's in warmer climates. Quote
dolphindriver Posted August 9, 2009 Posted August 9, 2009 I do have a question i am a highschool graduate working on my rotorcraft lisense I served 5 years in the army as a mechanic if I were to go coast guard would they put me into a position having a rotorcraft lisense to fly? or rather would i still have to got hrough college to be able to become an officer, I guess what I am asking is if they have something like the warrent officer program?Sorry, there isn't a program similar to WOFT. You would have to get a commission and go through flight school. Quote
dolphindriver Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 Blue 21 has been discontinued.Not quite yet is hasn't. I am conducting a blue 21 board in September so they must still be doing it. I have heard that it will end at the end of the calender year though. Quote
Norcalguy Posted August 19, 2009 Posted August 19, 2009 Greetings, I was considering the USCG once I finish up my BA this summer. I was curious if anyone might be able to shed some light on the OCS process and how selections are made. Also, once one is an officer is there a typical wait time before you can apply/go to flight? Thanks in advance Quote
dolphindriver Posted August 20, 2009 Posted August 20, 2009 OCS process is simple from the candidate's point of view. You complete your paperwork, go in front of a panel of officers for an interview and your whole package is sent to headquarters where a selection board ranks you on your accomplishments and the results of the interview. If you make the cut you are accepted to OCS. You can apply for flight training while you are in OCS and for about 4 years afterwords. Quote
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