CG Transition
The Coast Guard does offer positions for DCA's (Direct Commission Aviators). To find out the exact window of opportunity for these positions, you should contact a CG Recruiter as they of course have the latest and greatest information. I currently only have one DCA at my unit and he is a prior Navy P-3 pilot. The Coast Guard has a plethora of helicopter pilots who were prior service. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure DCA's drop one rank when entering the Coast Guard, and we are also hesitant to accept folks with a bunch of years of service because we inherit their retirement as well. That being said, I know of no one joining the CG from another service who has regretted the decision. I just heard that our retention rate is at 94%.
Flight hours vary dependent on the unit assigned, but it is not at all difficult to achieve 500 hrs a year. I logged approx. 600 hrs two years straight despite turning missions down.