19 Pros and Cons of Joining the Coast Guard

The United States Revenue Cutter Services was founded in August 1790 to help serve the Department of the Treasury for the young nation. This branch of the military was merged with the Life-Saving Service in 1915, giving it an official status as part of the country’s armed forces. The U.S. Lighthouse Service was merged into the Coast Guard in 1939, which was then moved to the Department of Transportation 1967 for funding and oversight.

In February 2003, it would be transferred once again to be supervised by the Department of Homeland Security. Under its current structure thanks to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, it operates as a service in the Department of the Navy upon the declaration of war, Presidential direction, or an act of Congress.

Although this branch of the military got its start through revenue-creating services, it would become a significant factor for homeland defense during World War II. Guardsmen were responsible for patrolling the shores of the U.S. during the war. In 1942, a seaman patrolling the beach in New York discovered German saboteurs landing in Operation Pastorius, which led to the capture of the team.

At this current time, the Coast Guard has seen a reduction in its fleet due to the cost of maintaining icebreakers and budget sequestration. As with any form of service, there are some specific pros and cons to consider before deciding to join this branch of the U.S. armed forces.

List of the Pros of Joining the Coast Guard

1. You will have access to 20 different enlisted jobs (ratings), divided into 4 categories.
When you decide to join the Coast Guard, then your skills and education will help to determine your ratings. The four categories which are available include deck and ordinance, hull and engineering, aviation, and administrative/scientific. Although patrolling the shores of the United States are part of the mission of this branch of the military, it is also responsible for protecting American ships that are working at sea during all times of the year. That is why you see stations near important strategic points in the country and where the heaviest shipping lands tend to be.

2. There are specialized training units in the Coast Guard.
Some of the ratings that are available in this branch of the military require highly specialized training and testing for you to maintain your position. The most famous of these jobs is the Helicopter Rescue Specialist, who serves as a search-and-rescue swimmer. You must pass more grueling tests to qualify for this job, such as meeting a specific number of pullups, successfully completing buddy tows, and having the ability to swim for 500 meters or more.

There is also a MSRT position (Maritime Security Response Team) that functions much like SWAT does for local law enforcement. This unit is the only one in this branch of the military that is trained for counterterrorism missions. The test standards for this position are much steeper as well.

3. You will have access to free medical and dental care.
The benefits of joining the Coast Guard are definitely worth considering, even if the overall pay structure is somewhat low compared to the other branches of the military. All members are entitled to receive free medical and dental care as part of their service. You will also have access to tuition assistance and a vacation allowance which starts at 30 days per year. When you do get paid, it is only the base salary that is subject to income tax. The other financial benefits help to cover the costs of your service.

4. Almost everyone in the Coast Guard is stationed domestically.
You may not have any control over where you are stationed after enlisting in the Coast Guard, but there is a very strong chance that your post will not be in a foreign country. Most members never have a military-grade weapon deployed against them while serving on active duty because of the nature of the job. That’s not to say that you won’t encounter danger, but the action that you see has a much lower risk of being a life-threatening issue.

After putting in some time at a post that is remote, cold, or both, you may have enough seniority to request a transfer to a station that is in a more comfortable climate as well. Many of the ships and bases that are tied to this branch of the military are in remote areas.

5. You will have access to the GI Bill with your service.
Thanks to the post 9-11 GI Bill, the Coast Guard will help you in a number of ways just like it does for every other branch of the military. If you leave the service after January 1, 2013, then there is no time limit on using these benefits as well. The payments are not taxable when you receive them, and you can stop or start using them whenever you may need them. One of the best options to consider is the 36 months of education benefits. There are also options to help you secure a mortgage and other financial considerations, some of which can even transfer to your spouse or dependents.

6. There is a comprehensive life insurance policy available to you.
When you are an active-duty member of the Coast Guard, then you have the option to select a life insurance policy in increments of $50,000 that go to a maximum amount of $400,000. You also have the option to elect into the family life policies so that your dependents receive coverage as well. The cost of this benefit is exceptionally competitive, which includes up to 120 days of free coverage after separation. Current premiums are still at 2014 rates, which means it is $0.07 per $1,000 of insurance.

7. You get to be in control of your rating when you enlist in the Coast Guard.
For some who enlist, the chance to choose your job when you join the military is a privilege that isn’t always experienced outside of the Coast Guard. Although you must meet the physical demands of the job that you want, qualify for any security clearances needed, and have the aptitude to do the work, there is nothing standing in your way of the success that you want to achieve except yourself. That is one of the reasons why the camaraderie in this branch of the U.S. armed forces is often higher than what you will find in other services. You will be securing and protecting the nation’s waters.

8. Living stipends through the GI Bill can be earned fairly quickly.
When you enlist in the Coast Guard, then your contracted time is often the length of service that is necessary to earn a living stipend through the GI Bill. You can take advantage of this option to push for an apprenticeship, transition your military experience into law enforcement, or even have a large enough stipend that you can potentially retire without serving nearly as long as someone in a civilian position. The strength of these advantages is largely dependent on your rating and the reason for discharge.

9. Serving in the Coast Guard gives you the option for a no money down mortgage.
When you join the Coast Guard, then you are creating a home-buying opportunity for your family thanks to your eligibility for a VA loan. As with the other branches of service, you can qualify through an approved lender for this benefit based on your service status. Depending on where you are stationed or the location you wish to live after discharge, you may qualify for a 100%-funded mortgage of over $450,000 based on 2019 rates so that you can buy the property of your dreams.

There are very few mortgage options available today that do not require any money down. Serving in the Coast Guard even gives you the option to refinance into a VA loan to save money sometimes too.

10. It will give your job applications a boost.
The training and experience that you collect after enlisting in the Coast Guard can help you to establish a beneficial career in almost any field or industry later in life. You also have the option of making military service become a long-term opportunity as well. If you are a prospective officer, then you can enter the service through the officer candidate school. This 17-week instructional course prepares you for service, shows you the military lifestyle, and offers a wide range of technical information that can lead to your success.

Instead of being in an enlisted pay grade if you can use this option, you’re assigned the rank of ensign upon graduation, which comes with the O-1 designation. Your monthly pay would then be $3,188 per month plus any other benefits or allowances for which you qualify.

List of the Cons of Joining the Coast Guard

1. You should know how to swim proficiently before joining the Coast Guard.
Although it is not mandatory to know how to swim before joining this branch of the military, it is a necessary skill to pass your basic training. All personnel enrolled in the Coast Guard must have the capability of jumping off of a five-foot platform into a pool, be able to swim for at least 100 meters, and then tread water for a minimum of five minutes.

2. There is no choice as to where you will be stationed.
If you join the Coast Guard Reserves, then you can choose where you will be stationed. That is not the case if you decide to enlist in this branch of the military. That means you will go where your rating is most required. That can lead to serving in northern Alaska during the winter, being on a cramped ship with numerous roommates in your living quarters, or being on patrol duty for weeks at a time.

3. You will be exposed to potential dangers and hazards in your job.
The Coast Guard does not actively deploy in the same way that the other four branches serve around the world. That is because the key mission for those who serve is to protect the shores of the homeland. You will still encounter dangerous situations in the line of duty, but you will find that they appear in a different way. Your job is to stop drug trafficking activities, prevent illegal immigration, and even protect against a possible threat of terrorism. Because you may encounter a violent response to your interdiction, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong.

4. The base pay upon enlistment is rather low in the Coast Guard.
When you become an active-duty enlisted member of the Coast Guard, then you are going to start out making about $20,000 per year. Although this is only structured as base pay, you may not be entitled to other allowances. It all depends on what your status happens to be. You could qualify for housing, clothing, and family separation bonuses, along with hazardous-duty pay and sea pay. You’ll earn more as you receive promotions or spend more time in service, but there is an excellent chance that you could earn more in a private-sector job during the first couple of years of service.

5. It is a highly selective branch of the military to join.
Although the Marines are usually the most difficult branch of the military to join because of their high requirements, the Coast Guard comes in a close second. There are only a few spots reserved for each new incoming class of recruits, which means that you will want to exceed your physical standards as much as possible before enlisting. The boot camp is also one of the more demanding training exercises that is required by the U.S. military from a psychological standpoint, so it may not be suitable for everyone.

6. You are required to complete a longer commitment of service.
When you successfully enlist as a member of the Coast Guard, then you are given a contract for 8 years in most situations. This structure includes four years of active duty, and then the other time is served as an inactive reserve member. Depending on the rating that you hold, you might be given an active duty contract of up to 6 years. That means the average enlistee in this branch of the military is serving for a longer time when compared to the other options which are available.

7. The pay structure in the Coast Guard is different from a budgetary standpoint.
During any given time, there are 42,000 members actively serving in the Coast Guard. During the times when the government endures a partial shutdown, they are the only military branch that does not receive pay. That fact does not change the fact that they are still expected to fulfill their duties, even though a check isn’t coming their way. Unless Congress passes emergency funding legislation to ensure the wages keep coming, it could mean that you may find yourself going without or tapping into your savings to make ends meet. This disadvantage occurs because the Coast Guard is in the Department of Homeland Security instead of the Department of Defense.

8. The Coast Guard fleet is aging quickly.
When the earthquake occurred in Haiti in 2010, there were 19 cutters sent by the Coast Guard to provide assistance. Out of those vessels, a dozen of them required emergency repairs to fulfill the obligation of their mission. Another 2 of them were recalled because drydock maintenance was necessary to restore the ship to active duty. Whereas the Navy continues to see new equipment and vessels as their fleet modernizes, the Coast Guard does not since it is not a DoD budget line. This disadvantage could have a significant effect on your working life when joining this branch of the military.

9. The command hierarchy in the Coast Guard is traditional.
If you enlist in the Coast Guard, then you will discover that the hierarchy of command is similar to what was present in the 1940s instead of its modern application. Not only will you be overlooked as being an integral part of the military, but you will also find that your leadership is often isolated from the operational issues that occur all around you. Because there are non-military responsibilities assigned to this branch of service (maintaining buoys, measuring fish, rescuing drunk boaters), it isn’t always taken as seriously as it should be.

The pros and cons of joining the Coast Guard involve more than the financial benefits that come with military service. You are also placing yourself into a rating where you can serve and protect the way of life that you love. It is a way to give back to your community, provide for your family, and grow personally in ways that you may have never thought were possible. You will be challenged if you decide to enlist, but it is a choice that will often bring positive results into your life.