lily

Hello,
I am a 27 year old private pilot currently working on my instrument rating. A friend of mine told me to look into the USCG since I want to pursue a career in aviation. I currently work full time to pay off my student debt (from my university and pilot training) and go to school part time. How would I pay my monthly loan fees if I joined the Coast Guard? As a pilot, would I be required to carry a weapon? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I'd prefer to get some unbiased answers before going into the recruiting office.

Does anyone have advice on this?

Thank you very much in advance.

CGFLYER

If you joined the Coast Guard you would be paid a full time salary so that should help pay your student loans. As a pilot you would not be required to carry a weapon unless you are stationed at some select armed Law Enforcement units.

My advice is the USCG is a great organization and it would definitely be worth your time to go to the recruiting office to get some more info.

rickair7777

The USCG (or any other military branch) will provide far better compensation than any other entry-level aviation job. You should be able to make any reasonable loan payments, and even get ahead of the ball after a few years.

The weapon question raises a red flag in my mind...ultimately the USCG is an armed service, even if many of their peacetime missions don't involve the use of force. In time of war, the ENTIRE USCG can be transferred into the US Navy. Any USCG officer could get assigned to a wide variety of missions, although I think aviators mostly stick to flight-related jobs.

I don't think they will (or should) accept you if you are a conscientious objector of some sort. Civilian aviation has no such issues of course.

lily

Thank you so much for your input. I guess I was concerned about carrying a weapon because I'm not sure if I'd ever be able to take another person's life. That's one of the main reasons I didn't join the Air Force. The Coast Guard looked like a better option in this respect, but I guess I really do have to think about the fact that I may get transferred into the Navy.

Would they accept a private pilot with less than 200 hours? Do you think the likelihood of me being placed into a flying position would be high?

Thank you again for your help!

motorhead

unfortunately without prior military flying, your private time will only make you a more attractive candidate to a selection panel. If selected, you will start flight school from the beginning with everyone else (only you'll know what you're doing) after OCS. FYI the Coast Guard is taking between 10-20 civilian applications per panel (panels are twice a year) out of hundreds of applicants for OCS and maybe a couple of those will get to go to flight school.

Not to bring you down, just know what you're up against. Oh yeah your medical history and eyesight have to be pratically perfect.

Check out airwarriors.com there's a million posts on this kind of stuff

lily

I appreciate your honest reply. Straight answers are exactly what I'm looking for since I'm sure any recruiter will probably try to sell me into their service. Thank you!

Grumble

At 27 your're knocking on the door of "too old" if you haven't already walked through it.

CGFLYER

Rickair is correct, being a conscientious objector is a show stopper for the CG. Despite its life saving role, the CG is still an armed military service and any CG member could be tasked for war time missions.

Also, the process to get into the CG as an officer, pilot or enlisted member is not a short process and is also by no means guaranteed. Today the CG is overstaffed and from my knowledge recruitment has been cut dramatically. With this in mind an application to any military service is going to take 110% dedication and unwavering desire to join. So if you are having the doubts as discussed above I would say that the CG and the military is probably not the way to go.

Airdale

I was in the Coast Guard for 4 years. I wasn't a pilot though, enlisted Machinery Technician. I actually went in because I didn't have a college degree and it was a great way to "grow up". Wish I stayed in, I miss the Coast Guard everyday. Best organization I've ever worked for. Such a great brotherhood and the missions are incredibly important to the Country.

I tried to go back active duty, no luck. Not really recruiting right now. I don't much about the aviation program, but I did a flight physical and started working on the direct commission aviator program. It is VERY difficult to get a pilot slot. Don't bank on getting a pilot slot in the USCG. Go in because you want to be there regardless of what position you end up in.

As far as law enforcement, I really wouldn't want to shoot somebody either, but let me tell you, I carried a gun and was a Federal Boarding Officer. I wouldn't hestitate to shoot somebody that was intent on shooting me. Keep that in mind dude. You wouldn't be shooting an unarmed innocent person, you'd be defending yourself, your fellow boarding team and ultimately your country from a person who has no morals in the first place. There is no wrong in that. But if you're affraid of guns and don't want to be in that position, I would look away. I was enlisted during the transition from DOT to Homeland security. Law Enforcement/homeland security has taken on a huge role in the USCG. I personally love it and wish to God I never got out for this stupid career in the airlines.

Fishfreighter

Lilly,

I served 11.5 years on active duty in the Navy and never carried a weapon a single time. FYI.