What is the service obligation after graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy?

I'm thinking about attending the United States Coast Guard Academy, but I'm curious about the service obligation after graduation. How long do graduates serve, and what kinds of roles do they typically have?

Upon graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, you're looking at a five-year active-duty service obligation. That's five years of full-time service in the Coast Guard.

What's really great is that graduates aren't just dropped into the force, but are commissioned as Ensigns, which are entry-level officers in the Coast Guard. You'll be leading right from the start, so it's an excellent way to hit the ground running.

In terms of roles, the variety is quite expansive. The Coast Guard's mission covers a whole lot of ground (or sea!) including law enforcement, homeland security, environmental protection, and search and rescue. You could be at the helm of a ship, flying an aircraft, helping to manage multi-million dollar budgets, or tackling complex engineering challenges. It really depends on where your strengths and interests lie and where the demand is within the Coast Guard at the time you join. That's part of the great appeal of an academy like this - the opportunity to step into a variety of challenging and meaningful roles aimed at protecting America's coasts and waterways.