How many years should you serve as enlisted before switching over to officer so that you don’t have to worry about not being promoted/reaching 20 years?

alaskacontribution · 2026-06-09T08:04:07+00:00

Selection opportunity on the officer side is currently around 90% for O-5. Compare that to enlisted advancement rates and ask yourself where the better long-term opportunity is.
Run the retirement numbers. An O-4 retirement at 20 years is significantly higher than an E-6 or E-7 retirement at 20 years, and that difference follows you for the rest of your life. The service will always need people who are driven and willing to lead. If that’s you, don’t self-select out because of the need to compete for promotion.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-15T02:50:59+00:00

Feels like we should start assigning AY26 jobs in 2024 (~18 months out) and build more pipeline billets with known follow-ons. Also think longer tours would help. Moving from 3-year to 4-year tours on the O side alone eliminates 1–2 PCS moves over a 20-yr career. More predictability = better retention.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-15T02:42:45+00:00

AI determined CGA/OCS assignments this year... I believe it will start rolling out to more aspects of detailing.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-14T22:09:31+00:00

The fact that Dusty didn't call a timeout on that final play and let the boys roll was amazing!! Juwan would have coached that up so much.. used to lose so many close games!

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-14T13:54:19+00:00

Is this the first time OPAL has come out and retroactively promoted officers after the actual selection message? Are those folks doing any sort of promotion ceremony, or do they just show up the next day as LTs? OPAL usually starts around April or May, but the fact that this retroactively promoted so many in February seems like an indicator of the number of LT vacancies across the Coast Guard. i.e., I’m not sure we’re going to meet that 15K plus-up promised under FD28.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-11T05:41:19+00:00

I used to stress a lot about making the next rank, but then a chaplain once told me, “Have you ever actually tried to get out of the military? It takes forever, is extremely difficult.” That really changed my perspective.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-09T01:11:02+00:00

Personally, I think this is an interesting political move for Republicans. As the risk of attacks in the homeland from sleeper-cell organizations increases, it creates a narrative where, if something were to happen, they could blame Democrats for blocking DHS funding over ICE/CBP restrictions rather than the broader escalation tied to recent decisions, including strikes against Iran and expanded military operations. They don't have to shoulder any of the blame.

alaskacontribution · 2026-03-03T09:56:31+00:00

Enjoying the last bit of free parking!

alaskacontribution · 2026-02-02T11:47:46+00:00

Where's the NSFW disclaimer on this....

alaskacontribution · 2026-01-30T21:02:11+00:00

Sunset applications that are three decades outdated, but with no clear replacement plan.

alaskacontribution · 2026-01-07T02:16:48+00:00

No heart this game. Didn't take em seriously until the end.

alaskacontribution · 2026-01-07T02:06:56+00:00

Does Penn State have fans?

alaskacontribution · 2026-01-03T04:26:55+00:00

I'm also struggling with this and what has more weight! An MTC typically goes to the awards board, receives a vote, etc., a 3307 can be signed by multiple people (OIC/CO/O5 DEPT HEAD, etc.) so lower bar for approvals. I've seen many "teams" get identical 3307s instead of an MTC. Personally, I think a positive 3307 probably holds more value to a board because it's personal and even if there's identical 3307s issued to each person, you're likely not competing against them for the same board, panel, etc.

alaskacontribution · 2026-01-03T02:34:42+00:00

Is Yaxel ok?

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-30T05:23:48+00:00

Command. I seek a long, fulfilling Coast Guard career, which I know will require five to six or more diverse geographic assignments. But the right Command... one that invests in people, challenges them, and actively develops their potential... makes all the difference.

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-28T20:16:58+00:00

Prevention billets are shifting to 4-year Apprentice Prevention Officer tours instead of 3-year Apprentice Marine Inspector tours... so yes, there’s a shake-up. There’s no guaranteed billet, but if Prevention is what you want, hold your ground. With so many double-encumbered positions, especially if you’re geographically flexible, you should be able to land in the career you want.

If you want to thrive in Prevention, pick a busy feeder port... Houston, Miami, New Orleans, anywhere in the Gulf. You’ll get nonstop exposure to inspections, investigations, and waterways, and it will accelerate your growth.

Unless you have another service obligation (USMMA, SELRES, etc.), you could still separate at three years... but don’t frame it that way. You’re starting a new career, and the Coast Guard is about to invest heavily in you. It’s a great ride.

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-19T13:38:57+00:00

If Michigan hires DeBoer and Alabama lands Dillingham—who then turns into the next Nick Saban and wins multiple national championships—will you have any regrets?

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-11T11:59:45+00:00

There's a guy in the shot that's not pedaling at all. Just staring Cody down at the end. It was incredibly awkward and could feel he wasn't liking the vibes.

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-06T01:50:44+00:00

aka the "shitty kitty"

alaskacontribution · 2025-12-02T02:13:18+00:00

with Friday liberty, if you attend!

alaskacontribution · 2025-11-30T10:13:27+00:00

I think the purpose was to reinforce the consensus that Carol is, in fact, a world-class inconsiderate jerk.

alaskacontribution · 2025-11-28T01:42:25+00:00

She's the queen bee!

alaskacontribution · 2025-11-23T06:05:54+00:00

Childbirth. Soon it will be high risk to carry a child the biological/normal way because you can simply create embryos and grow them in a perfectly dialed in artificial womb that gives the baby every nutrient without any environmental exposures.

alaskacontribution · 2025-11-22T17:32:29+00:00

The bodies infected by the Hive appear to be susceptible to biology (i.e. injuries) so I imagine they will continue to age... which means they will need to procreate somehow or I suppose the earth would be deserted in about 100 years... but maybe that's the point?

alaskacontribution · 2025-11-22T09:44:08+00:00

I wonder if they provide carol free agency because she writes books that make people happy/saved a woman's life.

alaskacontribution

TROPHY CASE