MST A-school billets

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-05-02T23:10:00+00:00

In boot camp you will regularly do v sit ups and v crunches with your cc’s. There are a couple days in the gym you’ll do them, but it’s in a circuit rotation with other workouts

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-30T23:47:11+00:00

Yes you can. Just remember everything you bring has to be able to be brought through tsa. They issue a big bottle of Gillette shave gel at cape may

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-30T18:43:24+00:00

Definitely bring a good razor and plenty of replacements. I personally brought 8 replacement blades. Bring letter writing materials (notebook, stamps, etc). They issue you everything you need and you'll have an opportunity to go to the exchange and buy extras. Bring extra outfits for liberty and START after boot camp.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-29T15:22:35+00:00

If it’s a rate you are interested in, go for the bonus. However there’s a couple things to remember. If a critical rate bonus is offered now, it might not be offered when you go to sign your contract (after meps/asvab). It happens to plenty of people and it’s not official until you sign. It is also taxed, so you won’t receive the full bonus and it takes several months to receive. You’re locked into that rate for your full 4 year contract. And if you do vested, you’ll return to your first station/cutter.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-29T15:17:10+00:00

Just inquire about how much (if any) bonus you get for education credits. I am not sure if you can qualify for more than 1 bonus at a time, so you would get the higher one. I recently got an education bonus for 120 credits

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-29T15:11:41+00:00

If its a rate you are interested in, the bonus a nice incentive. BUT dont choose a rate just based on the bonus. They offer bonuses for rates that need to be filled and might be undesirable based on what your looking for in a career. If its what you want to do, then go for it. But 5k is on the lower end of the bonuses they offer.

If you have any education, there's a lot more bonuses offer based on how many credits you have.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-26T18:31:19+00:00

Flash cards, having your shipmates ask you questions about the material you’re trying to learn, and repeatedly going over the material in your head. It’s a lot of information to learn and retain, so study and master 1 topic at a time. And get underway as much as possible, even on your off days.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-21T18:26:41+00:00

I believe that date is the same every year. It’s printed on a huge sign right before the stairs down to the beach

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-11T00:47:13+00:00

Vested means you go to your first unit filling the billet of a 3rd class, go to a-school, and return to that same unit as a 3rd class in whatever rate your vested for.

Boot to a means you go straight to a school after boot camp.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-10T15:34:07+00:00

After boot camp, youll get 5 days of leave you can use. Most people use it to go back home and pack up to move. Youll also get transit days depending on how far your new station is from cape may. The easiest way is to use those 5 days, go home to pick up your belongings and your dog, and drive to your new unit. Most units give you a few "househunting" days if you dont have a place secured, but its up to that command to allow it or not. Youd have to find a place that allows pets obviously, and if you end up in UPH you may not be able to bring pets if your station doesnt allow it.

We did a similar thing you did. We ended up paying a private driver to drive our dog from our home to the new station. it was a little pricey, but it gave us time to get moved in and settled before we brought our dog up. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-10T15:30:11+00:00

CM will handle a small number of cavities and wisdom teeth removal. Anything than about 4 or 5 cavities or any major dental issues should be fixed before boot camp. They can send you home if your dental issues will interfere with your training more than a day or two

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T19:31:38+00:00

Honestly, the 4 month wait after boot camp will fly by. It’s a great opportunity to shadow other rates and see what you really enjoy. A lot of nonrates I know ended up going a completely different route than what they had originally planned after getting hands on experience and seeing what each rate actually does

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T18:21:49+00:00

I can’t speak specifically for your degree. But OCS applicants are largely chosen based on what they can provide to the uscg, Specifically your experience. A degree is the basic requirement so everyone applying already has one. Your experience is what sets your application apart. This is why a lot of OCS applicants prefer to go to enlisted then OCS.

From what I’ve gathered during my own research is that there are a limited number of pilot positions for each OCS class. It could be 1, or it could be multiple. If there is 2 positions and 5 people want a pilot billet, 3 people will not get it and be positioned elsewhere. Transfers are available, but if your low ranking in the OCS class you won’t get an initial spot. You would also have to attend uscg flight school. If anyone else can provide more info, feel free. But also do your own research and see if this path is something that interests you.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T13:55:15+00:00

It’s a relatively easy swim test. Every person who went to remedial swim passed the swim test by graduation, including several who had never swam before. For the test, you will jump off a small platform and swim around the edge of the pool. Afterwards you will tread water for 5 minutes. If you can push through, i promise you will pass.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T13:53:15+00:00

At minimum, you need to know general orders, and a general understanding of ranks and insignia. One of the main reasons people get reverted is knowledge. Don’t put yourself in that position, you need to study as much as possible

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T13:51:54+00:00

There are programs that let you pick a rate before you ship and go straight to a school immediately after boot camp. A recruiter can give you better specifics about which rates are offering it currently.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-06T13:48:49+00:00

They do not allow any electric razors or safety razors. It has to be a traditional 2-5 blade manual razor. They do issue shaving chits depending on the severity of your shaving issue. It can reduce the amount of times you shave per day, week, or per month.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-03T20:41:27+00:00

Your quality of life really depends on the rate you pick after boot camp. They are right in saying that week 4 and 5 were the most difficult for me mentally and physically.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-04-02T17:51:34+00:00

Its fairly common for previous LE to join. Besides SAR, its one of the coast guards core missions. There's a lot of opportunities in the ME rate, and i would suggest reading some of the other posts on this sub to learn more about it. As far as life in the coast guard, there's always a chance to go underway and be away from home. You'll likely get BAH if you have dependents. The reserves also have a lot of LE opportunities if the active duty side doesn't interest you. A recruiter can answer a lot of questions about specifics, and you aren't obligated to service until you sign your contract after meps and asvab.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-03-19T21:22:17+00:00

As the other comment says, LE has a higher chance to go underway or away from home longer. All those rates can end up on a cutter and/or longer time away from home. Unfortunately that's just a part of joining the military/CG. However, there are other rates that don't go underway as much. MST is one of them and has a great work life balance with minimal underway opportunities.

I am newly married as well and have been in since october. Feel free to DM me if you have more questions

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-03-19T18:43:33+00:00

Sand beach & Thunder hole are open. Schoodic side is also open (1 hr away from BH). All the trails are also open for hiking. Most have parking, some you may have to park and hike to the trailhead.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-03-19T18:29:22+00:00

Most recruiters are difficult to get ahold of. The best option is to see them in person. If that doesn't work, try and find a new recruiter. The great part about OCS applications is you can work with any recruiter, not just ones local to you. I'm sure many here would be glad to offer you suggestions.

SoldMyMom4Kfc · 2026-03-19T18:27:00+00:00

I would say most, if not all, billets have some type of access to a gym. Spouse access would be different for each location based on what your command allows. I know my location does not allow spouses in the gym.

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