Coast Guard Career Advice

[BSeals71]

Hey,

I just had a few questions for joining the Coast Guard and was hoping you guys could help me out. I’m a civilian (First Officer for a regional airline) and plan on finishing up my 4-year degree (online threw ERAU) and applying a to Officer Candidate School.

• Would someone coming from directly out of the Coast Guard Academy have a higher chance of being selected for flight school than someone coming from OCS? (considering both applicants are equal in all other areas)

• Would joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary (for a year / while working towards my degree) help me out in any way?

The CG website, http://www.gocoastguard.com/faq.html says, “A qualification for Flight School includes passing a Class 1 Flight Physical”. What is the difference between a “Class 1 Flight Physical” (military) compared to a first-class airman medical certificate (Civilian FAA)? I’d imagine not too much, but wasn’t sure.

 

[Steve]

Hey,

I just had a few questions for joining the Coast Guard and was hoping you guys could help me out. I’m a civilian (First Officer for a regional airline) and plan on finishing up my 4-year degree (online threw ERAU) and applying a to Officer Candidate School.

• Would someone coming from directly out of the Coast Guard Academy have a higher chance of being selected for flight school than someone coming from OCS? (considering both applicants are equal in all other areas)

• Would joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary (for a year / while working towards my degree) help me out in any way?

The CG website, http://www.gocoastguard.com/faq.html says, “A qualification for Flight School includes passing a Class 1 Flight Physical”. What is the difference between a “Class 1 Flight Physical” (military) compared to a first-class airman medical certificate (Civilian FAA)? I’d imagine not too much, but wasn’t sure.

Your questions have already been answered by a few CG Aviators in the past. Do a search and you will find hours of good reading. As far as the medical, it is nothing at all like the FAA. If your vision isn't near perfect you'll need a waiver, possibly after somekind of surgery. Best of luck to you.

 

[sardaddy]

Well,

It sounds like you have had these answered before but I a wasting a bit of time so i will answer.

No. Academy graduates do not have a better chance of getting to flight school. In fact if you broke it down proportionately they would probably have less of a chance. At least right out of school.

Joining the CG auxillary will not help you become a pilot in the CG. It might add too the ooh and ahh factor of your resume but won't do much else.

 

[BSeals71]

Thanks for the heads up.