How To Become A Coast Guard
Enlist in the Armed Forces and Dedicate your Career to the US Coast Guard
Only a high school diploma is necessary to launch a career in the coast guard, but there are other aptitude tests and training programs to endure. Once accepted, you will participate in a variety of activities, like search and rescue, boarding vessels to perform safety checks and capturing illegal aliens.
As part of the department of homeland security, the coast guard plays many roles in keeping the waters safe. It is one of the 5 branches of the US Armed Forces, but you go through separate officer training to be prepared for this role. It requires flexible, hardworking and dedicated individuals who may find themselves anywhere from operating a small boat to working on aviation mechanics. It is a diverse and challenging field to be part of.
Career Prospects
All Armed Forces careers are ideal choices to work in since every year, plenty of jobs open up. This is largely due to the high amount of people who retire after 20 years to receive their pension, or who have fulfilled their contract, leaving about 180,000 jobs to fill every year. According to Payscale, the salary is also quite lucrative, with a median of about $48,000 for an electronics technician but going up to about $120,000 for project managers. There are many jobs within the coast guard that also fall in between that high range, but additionally, among careers in criminal justice, this faction offers many benefits and additional compensation.
How to Get into the Coast Guard
The Armed Forces are always recruiting new men and women, but for a position as an officer in the coast guard, you need to adhere to strict rules.
1. You must be a US citizen between 18 and 27.
2. You must have a high school diploma, and an original diploma is preferred over a GED. Make sure to obtain high marks in high school, especially in science and match courses.
3. You don't need any post-secondary degree, but the more education you have, the more interest they see you have in the field which will work in your favor. You can receive a 2 year associate's degree or a 4 year bachelor's degree in criminal justice or homeland security online at schools like Everest University and Saint Leo University. Basically any criminal justice degree is good enough. Be sure to maintain a strong GPA in college.
4. You will have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) aptitude test, which includes 8 separate tests on mechanical understanding, auto and shop information, math, electronics information, general science, knowledge of words and arithmetic reasoning. The ASVAB will help the coast guard decide which area you are best suited for.
5. Once accepted, you will take part in an 8 week Coast Guard training program in New Jersey which will include daily swimming and fitness drills.
Job Duties
There is such an extensive array of duties for coast guard employees, that it depends on the specific position and day. In general, they are responsible icebreaking, search and rescue, port security, maritime law enforcement and protecting the environment. On a daily basis they may board vessels for routine checks and safety, confiscate drugs being smuggled in, launch aircraft missions, deal with environmentally hazardous spills, perform search and rescues and capture illegal migrants. Everyday can bring a new adventure, or it can result in mundane port safety checks. A career in the coast guard will always keep you on your toes to be prepared for virtually anything.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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