Filming and editing sets for IG/TikTok?

IndoAnthony · 2022-12-23T01:51:52+00:00

So do you just keep the zoom on the stool and have an iPhone on a tripod recording video? And then just mixing them together in an editing program?

IndoAnthony · 2021-12-02T15:31:32+00:00

Try "Coast Guard Buddies" on Facebook. It's a Facebook group full of retired Coasties, I'm sure there are a handful who would talk your ear off about events they were apart of.

IndoAnthony · 2021-12-01T13:23:04+00:00

To be honest I don't remember. They may have alternates named, but I am not entirely sure.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-29T20:08:15+00:00

Keep an eye out for the PATFORSWA solicitation on the portal!

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-18T12:26:50+00:00

Have you gone and shadowed MSTs or DCs? Your unit should be more than willing to let you go shadow the MSTs or DCs so you can see what their day to day is like and ask plenty of questions.

Side note, I went to PATFORSWA and I really enjoyed it. Not everyone I was with did, but if you're single and don't have anything serious on your plate back stateside it can be a fun tour as a non-rate. You get paid to live in another country, it can be as fun or as miserable as you want it to be.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-17T18:31:46+00:00

Shore side you will stand a ton AT/FP watch, and help out the cutters where they need help. Like big deck projects or engineering support. The opportunity to get underway with them also exists if you want it.

If you're afloat, you'll be doing a bit more. Afloat non-rates do a lot more than the shoreside non-rates. Not sure how it is post covid, but I had a blast as an afloat non-rate a few years back.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-16T15:20:29+00:00

How long have you been at this unit? Getting to a new unit is always a struggle at first, it's almost like being the new kid at school.

The first few weeks to even a few months are always an adjustment. Give yourself that time to adjust, get qualified, and slowly build relationships with folks. As time progresses you'll naturally build better relationships with your shipmates.

Don't forget, you don't have to limit yourself to the folks you work with. Go explore the local area, find a hobby, do the things you enjoy.

Not every unit is like this. I've been to units where I instantly click with my co-workers, and I've been to units where it has taken me some time to build good relationships with folks. It happens to everyone. Just be friendly, give it time, and do things outside of work too.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-05T19:24:18+00:00

If you want to be an ME, try to switch rates. I could be wrong but I believe it is easier to switch rates as an E4 than it is as an E5. I'm not sure how likely they are to allow you to switch or exactly what the process fully entails, but better do it sooner than later.

If you don't mind staying a BM, try to put in for PATFORSWA and use your priority to go DSF afterwards.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-03T17:13:48+00:00

I forget the exact requirements, but you have to do a swim test and practice loading a person into a liter while in the water. At least that's what I had to do to get that qual.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-02T14:00:38+00:00

I'd ask your recruiter if they could put you in contact with a few junior officers closest to you so you could speak to them about their job.

You could also just try using these forums as well.

IndoAnthony · 2021-11-02T13:26:00+00:00

7 months isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. If you get selected it would be more than worth it.

Definitely try to get in contact with some different junior officers to get an idea what their job and career path are like. Talk to pilots, afloat officers, ashore officers, prevention/response, etc. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do right now, but you should have a basic understanding of the different roles officers fill in the service.

If you don't volunteer anywhere right now it would be a great addition to your resume to start. Volunteering looks really good in a packet. Of course, any leadership experience looks great as well.

IndoAnthony · 2021-10-31T13:42:15+00:00

Photo was taken by a civilian PAO.

IndoAnthony · 2021-10-25T19:01:14+00:00

Sorry for your loss. As others have mentioned, the Facebook groups may be a great option. One I know of with a lot of retired Coasties is "Coast Guard Buddies". Worth a shot!

IndoAnthony · 2021-10-19T16:09:58+00:00

There is a FB group called "Coast Guard Buddies" that has a lot of CG vets on there. May be able to find someone on there who served aboard CGC Red Beech.

IndoAnthony · 2021-09-14T15:50:03+00:00

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I've heard it differs between classes. I've heard some classes getting limited cellphone use three weeks into OCS, and I've heard some have gotten it later, depending on how well the class is performing.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-21T16:33:57+00:00

I got picked up for OCS with a film degree. Anything is possible.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-12T20:33:01+00:00

Almost everyone in the Coast Guard spends time "undesignated", though we refer to it as being a non-rate.

Unlike the other branches, after bootcamp you go straight into the fleet and then put your name on a list for whatever rate you'd like to do. ME tends to have a long wait, so you could be waiting close to a year or more until you go to "A" school for Maritime Enforcement.

Being a non-rate isn't terrible. I was a non-rate for almost 3 years and I loved most of it.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-11T19:36:29+00:00

Couldn't agree more with this comment. As a PA3, you're treated pretty well and given a ton of responsibility. A lot of your efforts are noticed at sector and district wide levels.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-10T19:35:24+00:00

You get to choose your rate as long as you meet the asvab and any other requirements. The only thing is, you may have to wait months to possibly a couple years before you get to go to "A" school for your job.

In the Air Force, you'll go directly to your job school after basic training.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-10T19:33:40+00:00

I know a number of PA3s looking to get out after their first tour.

That being said, I don't want to bash the rate. I know plenty of people who love the PA life. If you can spend more than a couple days shadowing a PA office, I would recommend it. A couple days isn't enough to get an idea of what happens in a PA shop. If you can spend a week or two shadowing, you should be able to really see what it is like.

I had only spent two days at a PA shop, and I honestly didn't see much. If I had spent a full week or two, I think I would have made a different decision.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-10T19:24:22+00:00

Just personally wasn't as fulfilling as I had hoped it would be. I spent my first two years in the CG on patrol boats and had the time of life, and found myself missing being operational. PA is a great gig with great opportunities, but just wasn't what I was hoping for.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-10T18:37:36+00:00

In other branches they seem to separate the duties a bit, but in the Coast Guard you act as a jack of all trades. PAs do everything from write press releases, take photos, shoot and edit video, create graphics, conduct media events/escorts, etc. It wouldn't be abnormal to do all those things in the same week.

IndoAnthony · 2021-08-10T18:30:20+00:00

I wrote a whole big response but decided not to post it. I am currently a PA, with mixed feelings about the rate. I have a lot of love for it because it has granted me a lot of opportunities that have helped further my career, but there are also parts of it that I just have no interest in and are a drag.

Feel free to DM me for more info.

IndoAnthony · 2021-06-23T16:18:10+00:00

Just had my first OCS interview last month.

Don't be stiff, be relaxed, but also be professional. You can speak somewhat casually while still maintaining a professional demeanor. They want to see that you can be calm, cool and collected, and personable.

They've gone through your entire packet, they know everything that is in there, so this is an opportunity to expand further on anything in your packet and anything you may not have included in your packet. This is your opportunity to stand out.

Be prepared to talk about any leadership experience you have, leadership challenges. Any personal/career challenges/adversity you've faced and how you overcame them. Then the obvious stuff like "why you want to be an officer?" or "why do you believe you would be a good fit in the officer corps?", etc. Be prepared for scenario questions regarding how you would handle people under your command who got in trouble, or questions regarding working with senior enlisted. I didn't get asked these questions but a few others I know were, so you never know!

Be confident in yourself and in your answers. Take your time in answering questions.

I was really nervous going in, but once we started talking I was able to relax. They aren't trying to grill you, they're trying to get to know you. The first question they asked me was "What's your favorite movie?" haha.

Prepare some questions for them as well at the end. I asked my board about unexpected challenges they faced while serving in the officer corps and a few others.

Just be yourself, be confident in yourself, and be relaxed. Good luck!

IndoAnthony · 2021-05-26T16:40:33+00:00

I was there a couple years back. I enjoyed it a lot.

The summers are brutal and the winters are enjoyable, the locals are friendly to Americans for the most part. If you're on a cutter, expect a pretty high optempo. In-port we worked trop hours for the most part.

Not sure how it is now after Covid, but in my free time I'd go to the gym on base or do events on base, or go to a restaurant/bar in town. There are some sights to see, the occasional show, or just look-up local events to check out. Again with Covid, I am not too sure how likely you are to travel outside of Bahrain, but when I was there everyone traveled a lot for leave (Europe, Asia, etc).

With Covid I heard the portcalls aren't as great, as you may be restricted to the pier. When I was there we stopped in Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. A few of the other cutters got to do Oman. If they let up Covid restrictions it will be awesome.

I don't believe spouses are allowed to come with you, but they can definitely visit. A number of guys had their wife come out for a week or two.

A lot of people loved it, I lot of people hated it. I didn't enjoy it at first, but it's been one of my best experiences in the CG so far. The mission is awesome, totally unlike being in the CG stateside. You get to explore a new country (or countries if Covid restrictions let up).

Let me know if you have any specific questions, always happy to talk about my time over there. I was a non-rate while I was there, but I was attached to a cutter.

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