I've been pursuing the Navy since before I came to college, but I've recently taken a look at what the USCG has to offer. What can anyone tell me about the Blue 21 Flight Initiative? Or the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative? What's the competition like for a USCG flight slot?
Not trying to jack you thread already... But does anyone else find it interesting that there have been three Coast Guard transition threads since the Guardian was released? I can't help but think that we are seeing the Top Gun effect at work. Good luck! Sincerely...good to see the CG getting some well deserved public respect...and recruiting help.
There are other Coasties who frequent this board (some sharp helo guys) who can answer better than I, but... Both of those programs are looking at increasing the number of graduates from schools with at least 25% minority population; if your school doesn't have a student body that matches, you would not be eligible for those two programs. Blue 21 is for flight slots, CSPI is for regular OCS. However, you can compete at OCS for a flight spot...and it is competitive. Things you can do to make you more competitive is get your pilot's license (or get going on it showing an interest in aviation), and take your aviation test prior to getting there if you can. It is easier to score well when you are well rested, than during the sleep deprivation experiment that is OCS. And yeah, Scoober, I noticed the same thing.
In all fairness, the other two threads were around for some time before the movie...not to mention some other threads that not everyone gets to see. Muhahahaha.
I feel suddenly not welcome...:watching_ Kinda what I miss about rep...at least people could tell you they thought you were an idiot...
Yes, being the helo nut that I am, I went and saw The Guardian the first day it came out. But no, that's not what initially sparked my interest in the USCG. I was looking at both programs before the movie came out, I just now happen to be posting about it.:icon_tong I currently attend Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach and I'm looking to get outta here. Shoulda listened to the fellas around here who told me this college was way too expensive for what it's worth...guess I had to experience it first hand. Atleast I'll be transfering to another college with my private pilots liscence. I'm lookin to transfer to a college with an NROTC program to keep my Navy options open and a college with 25+% minorities to keep my USCG options open. I'd love to hear from any USCG Aviators regarding the subject matter. Thanks for the advice so far.
Sadly, I can't help you with the CSPI, Blue 21 programs I just don't know enough about them. But if you have any general questions I will give you my best shot.
You aren't going to like the answer but here it goes. I fly HH-65 Dolphins. I never attended Naval Flight Training. The closest I came was landing my HH-65 at Whiting field for a dog and pony show for some flight school students. Sorry, I only know hearsay about the process and the training.
Likely SARDaddy was Direct Commision Aviator from Army? I remember of all my CG buds , most had done a division officer type of tour before attending pilot training. I think the name of the game for new accessions is to get in an officer program first, then apply for Aviator
Yes, I am a Direct Commissioned Aviator with a former life in the Army. There is a funny saying that plays off a popular bumper sticker. "U.S. Coast Guard, Army Aviation at its best." I can pass some info, I just don't have the specifics on the process. If you go through OCS you compete with your classmates to get a flight slot. Usually about 3-5 per class of 50. If you get a slot you go directly to flight school. If you don't you get to your unit, ship, whatever, then you can apply again and again and again. I have a friend who applied six times before he was finally accepted. If you go to the Coast Guard Academy it is now basically the same. You can compete for a few available flight slots if you get them you go directly to flight school if not, you go to your ship or your unit and apply again and again. If you get accepted to CSPI or Blue 21 (no idea how to get accepted into either one) then you are guaranteed flight school even before you graduate college. good luck
Is there some sorta competition to get a seat in an HH-60J? Is it the same in the Navy where if you graduate top in your Naval Flight School class, you get to choose your aircraft?
Aren't you 65 guys required to be on the weight program until the re-engining of the 65's takes place; you know, big guy + underpowered aircraft = limited hoist capability? I keed, I keed. Aviators are like Oscars:icon_fish...they grow to the size of the aircraft they are flying. Hence, many C-130 pilots are big muscular types...with most of the muscle around their waist. Two box lunches per flight helps too.
In the CG, a student pilot's choice of aircraft/duty station is based upon flight school grades....I'm not so sure that an HH-60 seat is the most desirable RW choice. By the way, I'm a DCA so I don't have any information on CSPI or the Blue 21 Program for you. Sorry.
I really appreciate all the input fellas. Got another question. Obviously, there's the possibility that I won't get a flight slot. I was looking over the USCG site for officer careers and didnt find much information. What other officer positions are there for the Coast Guard?
Ridin' the cutters. But it's a lot different than the Navy career path. A JG can become an XO of the smaller cutters, so there's a chance for a lot of responsibility. Another job is the LE dets that deploy on the ships for CD ops. They do all kinds of training w/ boarding (non-compliant and otherwise), helo-casting/fastroping, and general LE stuff. I think the officers that do that are post ship tours, though, much like aviation.
Officers are spread out all over the Coast Guard. Even right out of OCS, or the Academy. You could be assigned to a cutter, aviation, a Marine Safety Office, Gulf Strike Team (pollution response), and the ever dreaded admin job. Unlike the Navy you can get a lot of responsibility at an early stage in your career. There are many O-2s that command their own cutters or small boat stations. There are a lot of E-9s that do the same thing. The Coast Guard is a great opportunity no matter what you do as an officer.
