a99collectible
Registered User
I am a Marine Pilot considering applying for a DCA to the USCG. I have a few questions for anyone that may be willing to answer.
I've noticed that H-60s and H-3s are only at a few duty stations, and the H-65s are at almost all USCG air stations. In that sense, it seems as though your airframe selection effects your duty station location. As a DCA, do you have any input on what airframe you get, or is it based on needs of the USCG? What airframe do you recommend and why? What are the primary missions of each airframe?
What is the "career path" of a CG pilot? I am a senior Marine Captain, about to get forced out of the cockpit to make me a "well rounded MAGTF officer." Are there staff tours, professional military education, "pay back tours", and those kinds of things in the CG that take aviators out of the cockpit?
Is the competition tough for the DCA program and what makes a candidate competitive?
How fast do promotions go in the USCG? The Marine Corps has a way of making you feel like you really earn your rank, but since I'd be learning an entire new mission in the CG I understand the demotion to O-2, but I do have four kids to feed. I'm assuming you stay an O-2 for two years, but how long do you stay an O-3 before picking up O-4?
I've noticed that H-60s and H-3s are only at a few duty stations, and the H-65s are at almost all USCG air stations. In that sense, it seems as though your airframe selection effects your duty station location. As a DCA, do you have any input on what airframe you get, or is it based on needs of the USCG? What airframe do you recommend and why? What are the primary missions of each airframe?
What is the "career path" of a CG pilot? I am a senior Marine Captain, about to get forced out of the cockpit to make me a "well rounded MAGTF officer." Are there staff tours, professional military education, "pay back tours", and those kinds of things in the CG that take aviators out of the cockpit?
Is the competition tough for the DCA program and what makes a candidate competitive?
How fast do promotions go in the USCG? The Marine Corps has a way of making you feel like you really earn your rank, but since I'd be learning an entire new mission in the CG I understand the demotion to O-2, but I do have four kids to feed. I'm assuming you stay an O-2 for two years, but how long do you stay an O-3 before picking up O-4?