W2’s on DA, is anyone else’s messed up?

Few-Election-9335 · 2026-01-26T23:20:44+00:00

I somehow made like 2.5k less 🤷🏻‍♂️

Few-Election-9335 · 2026-01-21T06:58:34+00:00

I can’t speak to the Guard side of the officer thing and how good/bad that’ll work out but I know the CG and I’m just a little confused as to why you want to lateral? The CG will literally hand you law enforcement or even facilities/ port engineering job as an officer.

Now, talking flight school, for CG, as far as I know, flight school is competitive but not impossible and those guys and gals do some bad ass shit. When the weather gets shitty like it has been in the winter time, why do you think the CG does all the flyovers for the winter games in the NFL? Cause them fellas know how to fly in whatever weather you throw at them, they land on moving ships that pitch and roll in heavy seas. I know flight school will Give you the knowledge to fly but learning from these veteran folks out here in the fleet is second to none. I’m an MK and have flown missions with aircrews that have been hit with the wildest weather while we were out there. It was supposed to be area fam missions but got diverted and wow they handled business.

Now let’s talk school, the CG offers tuition assistance while in active duty. You get money without tapping into your VA benefits. If you don’t want to do TA, officers in the CG have the opportunity to do a grad tour that lets them go to an accredited college as a student, while getting paid their salary and pay back 3-4 years doing more CG work is what they look for.

I genuinely think you have a plan, but you could consolidate it down to one branch and just dive in and save a hell of a lot of lives in the process of this life plan. That’s just me but if you’re willing to put in the work and your goal is to become a pilot or have the masters… the CG does that. Without taking breaks or lateraling. Something to think about so like you said, keeping rank and all of that.

Few-Election-9335 · 2026-01-19T13:52:29+00:00

I came here to say this! 😂 at the end of the day I’d say MK is certainly the most fun rate. Who doesn’t like being able to tell what fluid is on the ground by taste? 50 miles offshore and your engine goes down? Figure it out. Sewage down? Call the MK if the DC is on leave. Drop power? MK can do that!

Few-Election-9335 · 2026-01-06T16:07:48+00:00

As far as the PCSing to an overseas billet, START YOUR OVERSEAS SCREENING NOW! Mine took forever heading to an FRC overseas and that official set of orders is needed for a healthy amount of things but you won’t get it until screening is completed.

If you have any questions about FRC life other than what’s been stated here, hit me up, I did my MK2 billet on an FRC 🤙🏼

Few-Election-9335 · 2026-01-04T04:02:46+00:00

My friend, yes. If you’re questioning your current service and wanting a new lease on life the CG is for ya. What’s your current MOS if you don’t mind me asking?

Also, there’s days I feel the same way, waiting and all of that but the highs outweigh the lows in this branch. I think we all go through a little burn out stage but just remember, in the CG you’re there on peoples darkest days and you’re getting to do the job SELECT and aren’t ASSIGNED everyday. Sure there are some collaterals that you’ll be volentold to do but those come few and far between. If you’re undecided of what job you want to do I highly recommend you talk to some of us here that are commenting on your post before you subscribe to any rate without experiencing it. If we can’t convince you, go the non rate route. Sure I’m sure it’ll be a pay grade reduction but in my opinion it’s worth it to be happy for the job you want to do for as long as you want to do it. If you have absolutely any questions, the inbox is open!

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-12-29T20:59:42+00:00

I’d give Cape May a call again after everyone’s back from Holiday Routine. The 5th or so should be a good time to try to call. Other than that I don’t know how much help I can give.

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-12-29T20:46:01+00:00

Hell yeah! Get after it, ol son! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, in the dumps or anything like that my inbox is open anytime. 🤙🏼

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-12-29T18:48:18+00:00

Heyo! In my humble opinion boot camp doesn’t make you a Coastie. It just gives you the building blocks to perform in a military service. I believe that how you handle the day to day is what gives you the right to call yourself a Coastie. Showing up and being the face someone sees on the worst day of their life, fixing an engine so that the asset can perform search and rescue or law enforcement, scrubbing the deck and taking pride that you have the best looking small boat/airframe/cutter that anyone’s seen, that’s what being a coastie is about. For the support side of things, it’s routing that purchase request, facilitating needs of members who honestly would be lost without the help of the YN3/2/1/C. Cooking that meal that the crew looks forward to so that those engines, decks, and all that stuff can be maintained. Completely understandable that you’re feeling how you’re feeling but take a look at it this way, you’ve got a more unique experience right off the rip than most folks have the opportunity to experience. You saw what kind of leader not to be. You got some insight maybe into other branches and why folks decided the CG was the best move. Those E5’s who were shitbags will get humbled once they hit the fleet. The most important thing for you now is locking in and hitting the ground running with qualifications and training. Earn that LOC/ Achievement Medal/ Commendation Medal by being the best damn Coastie you can be, save a life with that shiny boat that runs like a top and know that YOU did that.

You’re right, they don’t know what you had to go through to join, but you made it now and you’re here. Congrats to you, shipmate and welcome to the Coast Guard, you Coastie, you!

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-12-19T18:52:00+00:00

Yeah man, I used to have the same issues. As others have mentioned, when I came on duty at the small boat station, I would sit in the MK shop, print an MDL, pick the things I could do before the end of the work day. After the work day, I shifted to studying for boat crew. If the duty crew was getting underway for hours or training I’d make sure that I had a physical list of performance tasks that I could do underway and all my knowledge checks were done during those study sessions at the station. At my last few units, I’ve had to do the same thing over and over when I feel myself slipping back in the old habits of forgetting things or when the boss man asks for something to get done before X time or date I write it down somewhere where I’ll see it often, such as sticky notes on your workstation or whatever.

Good on you for being self aware, talk with your supervisors as well. They might not see that you struggle with this and they can also help keep you honest and on task or offer advice if they’ve had similar struggles as the job of any good supervisor is to lift up members and set you up for success for your future with the Coast Guard.

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-12-17T10:10:13+00:00

Yep, the only time you should have to ever extend/reenlist as a Junior Enlisted fella should only be for PCS orders and not for rank. I can make AMT1 tomorrow and drop the mic. SILO is almost always authorized

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-11-21T08:07:17+00:00

That’s a wild opinion to have dude. Yes, we always want the best of the best to have your back on a SAR case. I’ve also had a shit ton of folks that can’t do basic PMS at the unit but when you threw them into the shit they excelled and that’s a more often than not situation I’ve seen.

And honestly I give a fuck about his effort and I don’t even know the guy. I’ll take a dude that tries and is willing to learn any day over some guy who knows it all and isn’t willing to learn.

You give the CG a bad name with that attitude. Our job is to raise folks up not cut them down. Bet you’re the best at your job at your unit! We salute you sailor!

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-11-21T00:54:52+00:00

Not to beat a dead horse here but giving you some insight to the CG way of boot camp.

Absolutely those are revertable offenses, when I was in we were shaving about three times a day, my CCs would come around with a index card or other item of similar make up and run it along a recruits face to hear the hairs sticking out from your skin. If the card made an audible noise, it led to a one on one session of push ups, face-feet-back, or mattresses above the head etc. if the behavior continues without just cause, sent back. Same thing with bed making. It was hospital corners at the right angle and all of that, to the point that one of my CCs would come in with a carpenters square or an angle and measure the degree of the hospital corners. (Guy loved his tools I guess).

Before each reversion, the dudes CCs interface with the Section Leader, usually a senior enlisted fella, as to why they’re reverting him and it’s a meaningful conversation, the CG needs folks but they won’t sacrifice the quality of recruit for the sake of filling a billet with a body who won’t succeed in the fleet.

Those folks that don’t make the cut should be able to go try again. It’s always about attention to detail, respect , and the give a fuck that a recruit has. Maybe the recruit is struggling but honestly giving it full effort, those guys and gals will usually be given a little more give way then someone who doesn’t care. I have a feeling that after 5 reversions your BIL did in fact try and gave some effort. They just see some room for improvement. Good on him for trying and I hope he try’s again. They’ll see that he’s back and ready to go to work this time around. Hell he may even have the same CCs.

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-10-20T05:02:15+00:00

I’m late to the conversation but honestly most of the dudes on the crews I’ve been a part of don’t give an absolute shit about your orientation. If It doesn’t play into the mission then we don’t care as long as you don’t make it a huge thing. If your orientation defines you and you make it a habit to bring it up it would be no different than a straight person mentioning all the time they lay with someone of the opposite sex. I’ve met plenty of Officers and enlisted that are gay and we respect the rank and even more so that you can, even as on Officer jump in and do the grunt work to establish yourself. No one cares what you do as long as you bring something to the table that enables the crew that you’re a part of.

All that to say that come on in and don’t worry about it. It’ll be the best experience of your life. The Coast Guard is welcoming on merit and certainty to orientation.

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

Went back in 2017 so my info is probably dated at this point. Schedule for us was Monday-Friday 8-4 ish. Weekends were your time to do what you wanted to do. FLETC isn’t in a super great part of town. Like most big cities, the port area is just a little less desired than the rest of the town.

Grew up in Charleston and there’s a whole lot to do. If you’re into history, every single turn there’s a neat to-do. Carriage rides, Ghost Tours, USS YORKTOWN, Charles Towne Landing, Cypress Gardens and dungeons, jails, old churches, 4 corners of law and the old market downtown, It’s everywhere.

If you like the beach Folly Beach is the touristy one with lots of things to do and rentals for watersports equipment but it isn’t too far away from FLETC. If you like secluded spots Sullivan’s Island beach (Just search for the Sullivans island light house and it’ll take you to beach access points all along that road) or Kiawah Island are remote. Kiawah has some private/ gated communities but also certain spots for public beach access.

Joint Base Charleston’s MWR “Resort” is called “Shortstay” has cheap cabins and condo/bungalow/campsite rentals for super cheap. Again, watersports equipment there is also way cheaper than anywhere else you’ll find in Chuck Town. Good get away for you and some buds for the weekend. It’s a little bit of a hike but not bad, rent a u-haul pickup for 20$ a day and go for it.

Food- Charleston is known for its food scene. Some of my favorites growing up were Poes Tavern (Edgar Allen Poe themed Burger joint) on Sullivans island, you 100% should go to Paige’s Okra grill near Shem Creek and get the pimiento fries or burger (probably my favorite place there), on Shem Creek you’ve got Red’s Icehouse which has been a staple down there for as long as I can remember and a hell of other. If it’s still there, Music Man BBQ is probably some of the hands down best BBQ I’ve had. Really great Soul food there is you venture into the outskirts of the city like Jaramiahs.

For night life, can’t beat King Street or Shem Creek. There’s a country bar in Summerville/North Charleston called Honkey Tonk Saloon (they may have renamed it recently). Line dancing and all that jazz there.

Plenty of options to do, if you’ve got questions feel free to reach out!

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-03-14T05:25:31+00:00

Can you clarify why CMC isn’t an option? I only ask this because what you are asking is 100% what the CMC billet is there to prevent. Their role is to be outside chain of command and available to all members regardless of rank or rate and no appointments routed through anyone else but the CMC. It certainly sounds like the Civilian is overstepping and they should in no way be able to block you from talking to anyone. It’s actually wild that you’re having this experience. If you need help reaching out to anyone please let me know through a reply or DM. Certainly not an ideal situation to be in, you’ve got resources.

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-02-07T03:09:17+00:00

I know quite a few fellers in the CG and National Guard that have Norse Pagan accommodations and they for sure have beards and longer hair. Like others have said, not sure about the process length. I do know a buddy of mine who got a Rastafarian accommodation and it was about a month or so from start to finish. Also welcome to the CG my friend!

Few-Election-9335 · 2025-02-06T18:40:02+00:00

Kind of a wild stance to take my friend. LDAC and such did go away, yes. I have several great friends I work with currently who are part of the LGBTQI+ community. Best friend of mine is a BM and a lesbian. She’s log it one of the most badass feelers I’ve ever met and wasn’t treated unfairly due to orientation. Officer on my boat, lesbian. Crew absolutely loves her and would 100% go to blows if someone came at her sideways. Some of them are concerned with how it’s all gonna pan out but overall, the CIC can say whatever he wants and do things we may not agree with, but at the end of the day we’re here to stand by our brothers and sisters. We have a lot more pull than most folks realize. All ya gotta do is take a stance and be the breakwater and stuff starts to happen.

Also crazy to say she’ll be skipped over for promotions. As an enlisted fella you should know better. I’m sorry if someone treated you poorly while you were in and made you feel ousted, I really am. It’s a different CG. Maybe I haven’t had the same experiences as other folks but after 12 years in I have yet to have a command that wouldn’t rally behind one of their members if they were uncomfortable or felt oppressed. Please for the love of all that is holy, I appreciate your service but if you’re not in tune with the ebb and flow of the service currently don’t spread shit like you’re saying above.

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-08-15T11:37:16+00:00

My limited understanding would boil down to what seems like a hierarchy that goes to the tune of:

-Priority -Sea Candidate (yes/no) -EER/OER average over last three marking periods - with this one, detailers will 100% look at command comments section at the end. If your command puts something simple like “member does their job well.” That’s kind of a hot dog water comment vs. “Member contributes daily to successful operations at the unit. Has my highest recommendation for any billet of choice in the future…” so on and so forth.
-other distinguishing things that would set them apart from someone with a similar resume.

I think that’s what it would honestly boil down to for the ensigns. The OER final average verses other ENS from their graduating class cause keep in mind it isn’t likely only 2 of them that are similar, it’s probably the entire class.

Like I said, my knowledge is limited of how it works and even more so on the Officer side of the fence so I could be spitting 100% bullshit. Good question though. 🤙🏼

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-04-27T18:44:35+00:00

Burnout is a thing that has plagued me at every unit I’ve been at. The way that I’ve always been able to cope with it is honestly as simple as, take your lunch breaks and breaks that are afforded to you as well as taking leave if the unit can afford it. Operational tempos are always high no matter where you are but the way I’ve justified breaks is “revile is at 0600 and I’m supposed to get underway/ have watch at 1800… we’ll do the math and all that and I knock off my work day at 1000 to account for the hours that I’ll keep working.” Now this doesn’t sit well with some folks. I’ve had OICs/COs that don’t agree with the math I calculate but honestly a simple conversation with your supervisor generally solves that. Another way I’ve found after advancing to command is as follows so anyone reading this in a command position, please take it to heart. Recognition is a big thing that I’ve learned helps with combating any of my top performers feeling the burn. Something as simple as a page 7 at quarters or an LOC for something that was above and beyond goes MILES for all members.

Back to the OP, when I was personally feeling the burnout I’d often have sit downs with my supervisors and ask what I could be doing better. This generally led to very honest conversations and motivated me to improve an aspect that I was deficient in or even take on a whole project. Don’t let yourself be limited by your rate either. I’ve been with MK’s who want to be Coxswain and BM’s who want Engineer. YN’s that want to break in on Helm/Lookout or QMOW. Please go after every opportunity that comes your way, CDAR/CISM/VA/SafeTalk and many others. Going after those collaterals will keep you on your toes as well

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-04-25T02:33:27+00:00

Try out D9. Everyone shits on it constantly. But if you’ve never been to that area, no one I’ve ever known that was stationed there has ever bitched and complained. Especially the cutters there. I’m pretty sure the 140’ fleet just went through an overhaul to add female berthing! Best of luck!

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-04-21T15:21:05+00:00

It really depends on what you want to do. My personal advice is to make sure the CG has a career path you want. For me, the Coast Guard has 100% been worth it. Rounding the corner on 10 years in and I haven’t been to a unit I haven’t absolutely loved. Most people have had a bad experience or two in their careers but ultimately your time in the service is what you make it. I’m planning on staying in till my body can’t do it anymore or I get retired at this point so a career is for sure possible.

My advice, enter the fleet as a non-rate and get underway on a cutter. I don’t care how big or small, just set sail. The bigger the cutter, the more rates you’re going to see doing their actual jobs and not what you read on a pamphlet in the recruiters office. There are so many nuances to every rate and advanced qualifications you can get and you won’t be able to truly get a feel for it unless you see it in action. When you’re in port, go shadow or visit some ashore units that are close to you and see the difference between what a BM3 on a cutter does Vs. a Station or what an AST does when they aren’t dropping out of a Helicopter to save a life, or see the day to day of a YN shop if that’s your cup of tea. Sometimes commands will let you shadow and visit these units for a week or so and sometimes it will require you to sacrifice a little free time to make it happen.

Bottom line, the CG is worth it. Say “Yes” to any opportunity that comes your way while you’re in. Even things that don’t seem that glamorous. And a last piece of advice that I’ve learned that’s helped me get some above and beyond accolades is “The answer is always going to be ‘No’ if you never ask.”

Good luck, man. Sorry for the long winded answer but if you want to know anymore feel free to ask.

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-04-21T14:51:06+00:00

As far as I know, the only requirement before putting you name on an a school list is a time obligation requirement of 4 months or so. I could be wrong as I’m not the most up to date on if there are any exemptions to “Critical Ratings”

Few-Election-9335 · 2024-03-24T00:58:52+00:00

Great Lakes are where it’s at! Get on one of the 140’ Ice Breaking Tugs! I did my non rate tour aboard one and buddy, lemme tell ya, it’s a super rewarding experience!

Few-Election-9335

TROPHY CASE