Hi everyone, I'm pondering my post-high school options and I'm interested in knowing more about the Coast Guard. Specifically, is it actually considered a branch of the military? What kind of positions could I potentially have there?
Yes, the United States Coast Guard is indeed considered one of the six branches of the United States military, alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps.
As for the positions you could potentially hold within the Coast Guard, there's quite a broad range. Broadly speaking, roles fall into two categories: enlisted roles and officer roles.
Enlisted roles generally involve more hands-on duties and can range from maritime law enforcement, aviation survival technician, to damage control, while officer roles are leadership positions requiring a four-year degree, and encompass areas such as flight officer, intelligence officer, or law specialists.
There's also the opportunity to specialize in a variety of fields depending on your interests, such as search and rescue, environmental protection, or maritime law enforcement.
Bear in mind the commitment to joining does involve basic training, on-the-job training, and potentially further education, depending on the role. You'd be expected to serve for a minimum period of time, which varies based on the role and the training received.
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