Exactly what Hercdriver said.

You would be applying for a position like the commisioned guys in the Army have. Just without the middle east deployments and you fly a bit more.

You will be a military officer and leader first and an aviator second. Sell your leadership skills when you go to the board but throw in an aviation twist as needed.

I've heard varying presumptions on the path to FW pilot: one, 2 years as an "anchor clanker," or direct from OCS. What gives?

I'll be a college grad when I apply, if that has any bearing on your answer.


ps, Falcon20, you have been very helpful in this and other CG threads, so thank you for your time.

UPTme the simplest answer for the path to CG aviation is "it depends". There are a few general paths though.

1) OCS direct to flight school. AKA "AVCAD Program" I know this exists for our enlisted folks who are guarenteed flight school. Some OCS grads go straight to flight school and I've heard that some were given flight school before OCS and others applied and were accepted during OCS.

2) Direct Commisioned Aviator (DCA) are typically Army helo pilots who are looking for a better QOL and come into the CG. The CG just started doing this for fixed wing pilots in 06.

3) The most common route is a person gets their commision from OCS or the CG Academy and gets their first assignment. From there they apply to flight school. The requrement is that you have to be an O-1 or O-2 when you apply. Which effectively give you four years to get accepted.

Thanks Falcon20 and Hercdriver


I know everything is based on the needs of the Coast Guard, however how does the aircraft selection work once you have been accepted?
How long typically do you stay at each duty station?


It does not seem like anyone really gets screwed with duty station or assignments, but maybe thats because I'm over here in sunny motarritaville.

Good times

Aircraft assignment is based on duty station. You provide the detailer a list of preferences for assignment, a "dream sheet", and then as you stated, needs of the service come first. If there is need everywhere then chences are good you can get what and/or where you you want.

In flight school, the determination of FW vs RW is made. I was fortunate and got to choose. I know many CG aviators who were simply told "your going helos." Once you get your wings you get assigned to an air station and that determines what particular airframe.

Example: you get winged as a FW aviator in Corpus Christi and you told the detailer you just want something on the east coast. It just so happens that Air Station Clearwater really needs aviators so you go there to fly Hercs. If both Cape Cod and Clearwater are equally in need, then the detailer might give you a call and ask which one you prefer; Hercs in FL or Falcons in MA.

Hope this helps.

If I had read a few posts back I would have known you are already flying in the Army ;) . As a DCA, you still provide the detailer your choices/preferences and they will assign you to an air station in need, taking into account your request as best they can. Once the first assignment has been determined you will get orders to the appropriate transition course, Hercs at CAE (Tampa) or Little Rock AFB, or Falcons/CASAs in Mobile.

I've got to correct Falcon 20's post: DCAs have been sent to fixed wing assignments for a while. In my DCA class in Jun '80 there were 24 people, 12 fixed wing (C-130s) and 12 rotary wing ( H-3s and H-52s). Both those helos are long gone and now replaced by the H-65s and H-60s. Your backround will usually determine what you'll fly. If all rotary wing experience you'll probably get a helo assignment. The CG will value your experience and assign you accordingly unless they're really short of pilots in the other community(fixed wing). And vice versa; a fixed wing backround will get you a falcon, 130 or the new CASA unless the CG is really short of helo guys. You really don't know until you're sitting in the cockpit and cranking the engines to go on your first SAR case.

Good deal


I would not mind going back to rotary wing if that is what the Coast Guard needed, however I would prefer fixed wing. All Army aviators start in the TH-67 or OH-58 helos before moving into an advanced aircraft. I was one of those lucky few who got a fixed wing assignment straight from flight school. Thinking back I have never had as much fun (in an aircraft) as flying doors off in the OH-58.

Any news from anyone who has gone through the board recently?

I heard on another forum that the list is awaiting DHS sign-off and should be made public as soon as next week. Here's a link to the message traffic site:

http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/msg07.htm