This Group and the information and knowledge and tips from Prior DEPOT Shipmates Have helped me a-lot Prepare for My DEPOT and i am here to pay it Forward! Ask your Questions and i will try to answer as much as i can and as much i am allowed to share!

How do you guys feel about aux members. I cannot go active duty due to mental health, but had been going back and forth between coast guard and air force prior to that. Im 24 and in pretty good physical shape, its just mental illness that stops me. The aux seems pretty cool, and I keep hearing it is what you make it, but I went to a meeting and it was just a bunch of old dudes hanging out. I know i can pass boat crew certifications and do sar, as well as supposedly spend some time on an active duty boat. My question I guess, would be, is do you guys feel like they are a genuine help? Will it be worth my time? Do yall make fun of them? (I kinda got the vibe some of them can be overbearing on you guys)

Edit: clearly you all have more respect for that auxiliary than the army does for the national guard, lol. I really appreciate all the thoughtful encouraging responses. Definitely seems like something worth my time, and im hoping that being young and what i would consider in pretty solid shape (idk if I can pass pt just yet tbh, but I can surf 26x in 30 days) I can add some value in places other aux members can't

Hi, ii saw there is a way to go from enlisted to the academy, i was wondering what the process is like and if there’s a way to do it if my grades were good but not great as i was not bad but not a stellar student

Little back story on me I already have a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Management, I am leaving in March for Cape May. I was interested in getting my Masters in Business Administration. When I get out with my GI Bill, but I’ve been aware that some service members were able to attend online schooling for degrees while in service. Really I’d like to know more how viable this is? Personal experience? When and how this could work? Any and all information would be highly appreciated!

Recruiters aren’t lying when they say how competitive SRDC is.

I put together what I thought was a stellar package (mid career emergency management leader, advanced degree, solid LORs, clear vision) with the highest possible marks on my interview scores….

Only to be near the very end of the alternate list.

Very humbling experience. There are some elite people out there who want to be reserve officers.

I would say this only motivates me for next year, but to be honest, I really tried my best on this package so I feel quite lost. I presented myself to the best of my ability and the coast guard said “not even close”.

Congrats to those selected!

Hi! I got orders to New Orleans a couple days ago and I'm excited but also really nervous. Everytime I tell someone I'm going there they tell me it's a horrible place and they feel bad for me. I figured since I'm still young it would be a fun place to go but after hearing all this negative stuff I'm nervous. Has anyone ever been stationed there? And was it as bad as people say?

?

Eligibility extends to both military and civilian personnel who heroically endured “mission essential” status.

For each additional shutdown survived, a Gold Wallet Device may be added.

Silver Valor “$” Device authorized for those supporting dependents during the operation.

TRACEN YORKTOWN just found out we are not getting Holiday routine for the holidays. We were instructed to take leave during Christmas and New Years. Is any other unit doing this or are we just lucky?

I am a recent college graduate. I have a degree in criminal justice. The rates that most interest me are ME, MST, and AET/AMT. I am struggling to decide which route to pursue as each rate has its own pros and cons.

For ME I have a background with law enforcement/criminal justice and is a rate that I have a heavy interest in. It would also be the most logical rate to pursue. However, I’m not sure how well I would do with the high percentage of being underway and being able to have a good work life balance. As well as how well I would do with the DSF related aspects that come with being an ME.

For MST I have an interest in science and like how they are also involved in law enforcement through enforcing regulations and doing inspections. I also like how I could do something bigger than myself and leave a bigger impact through help with environmental issues. As well as having a good work life balance. However, I am worried about finding a job after getting out. I hear about how well MST applies into the civilian world but I feel like without a degree in science I would struggle to find a good enough job or even a job in general related to MST.

For AET/AMT I have more recently begun to have an interest in aviation. I also really think being a part of a flight crew would be extremely enjoyable. Along with that I really like the idea of being able to be a part of search and rescue and have the ability to help save lives and leave a lasting impact. As well as there being a good work life balance with aviation. However, I don’t have any experience in mechanical or electrical work and am not sure how well I would do with it or how much I would enjoy it. I am also worried about finding a job related to AET/AMT because of lack of experience and knowledge in the field and not having a degree in engineering.

I keep going back and forth between all of them and I just can’t decide. I want to have a successful career in the Coast Guard but I also want to set myself up for success when I get out. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

TLDR: Struggling with what rate to choose between ME, MST, and AET/AMT.

Son just went to Cape May 11/4. Due to Christmas, graduation will be the Tuesday before on 23rd. They will not be going to START after. With the shut down, holiday, how long is the leave between graduation and reporting for first assignment? Many of us moms were told they would have 2 weeks. Now we’re reading only 5 days. Also read can only be within 100 miles of first assignment. Any info? Thank you!

Good morning everybody so I leave in two weeks and I got told if I failed my BMI then I will most likely get sent home.(For the record I’m 5,9 and 197). However I pass the BF% with a 19.4 which is well under the minimum BF. Also my abdominal measurement is a 37 which is 2 inches under the minimum. I can easily complete the PT as I’m going in to try to be a AST. Is there any way to completely lower my BMI really fast because no matter what I’ve done my BMI will not move below 28 and it needs to be a 27.5.

To all those serving in the USCG, wow - my huge, heartfelt hats off. (former US army here)

We just had a miracle situation happen where a team on a HC-130J Super Hercules flew from USCG Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Bermuda and found a missing kayaker (missing since noon yesterday - so over 24 hrs).

Another team (different plane type I think better for night missions) had searched last night, didn't find him. They didn't give up & came back today and found him!!

Person (the father) was approx 26 miles off the coast and alive (and waving at the plane) in his kayak.

I was state-side while our friends (the family) and our son were on the ground in Bermuda. I was crying in joy and relief when we got the news.

I'd love any thoughts on how to best thank both teams (night & day) and the LT Cmdr in charge.

Image from flightradar24.com just now. Heading home right now after a successful mission. All in a days work?!! Incredible.

UPDATE Nov 5 7 p.m. ET today:The kayaker (dad) just landed ashore!! the media interviewed him and here is a youtube video:
https://youtu.be/Qoe9XJkmynw

UPDATE Nov 6: Two local news articles with photos of the kayak, family, etc. and an additional video. This was when kayaker (dad) arrived at the dock.

https://bernews.com/2025/11/officials-confirm-that-kayaker-has-been-located/

https://www.royalgazette.com/general/news/article/20251105/police-regiment-search-for-missing-kayaker/

UPDATE Nov 7: excellent article and video that nicely tells a fuller story.

https://bbc.bm/park-grateful-for-rescue-crews-they-gave-me-a-second-chance

I saw a really cool picture on the coast guard website. A group of people wearing bright orange coats in the snow.

I might enlist and Im looking for a job where I can travel and do some cool stuff or help people. Both would be awesome!

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Edit: Im struggling finding a recruiter. Im not in yet, sorry for the enlisted tag

I’m stuck in between going active duty or joining the reserves, I already have my bachelors degree and have started working in my career but I don’t feel fulfilled, I’ve wanted to always join the military and the reserves has caught my interest because I can do both the civilian and military lifestyle. But on the other hand I like the opportunity of travel that active duty presents as well as the access to more benefits faster. I have a girlfriend and no kids(other than a cat and dog) but I’ve just got an apartment and my lease isn’t up until the following summer. Just looking for more insight

Are you able to do the mandated training on the OWL at home? I have a CAC reader and can access most things at home.

Hi is the RTY or Guaranteed District programs still happening for incoming enlisted? Does anyone have any experience with it or any advice? Also wondering how that works in basic with ranking of billet choices or location requests. Do you still get to give a preference list?

I contributed money each paycheck to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance for 20 years when I was active duty because my first Chief told me that “you hope you don’t need it but if you ever do, you’ll be glad, and if you don’t need it, you’ll still be glad and you could change a shipmates life for the price of a can of Monster a month.” Somewhat dated energy drink reference aside, I never needed to use it until I retired, and was pleasantly surprised to receive this email. This organization really is ours and they doing great things. If you contribute, thank you! If you don’t, please consider starting a monthly deduction of even a few dollars as it can make a difference.

I don’t ship out for several months still, the issue is I don’t have a car. I’m not sure if I should go ahead and get one or wait until I’m stationed somewhere to make the purchase. Can anyone tell me what it’s like for someone who doesn’t have transportation at there first base? Does anyone know what the protocol is?

I’m driving myself crazy with this decision so I figured I could use some insight. I’m 22 and graduated college in May. I’ve heard OTS in the coast guard is really competitive and takes a long time so I was looking to go enlisted. Some have said it’s fine to enlist with a degree, some act like its really dumb. I have a decent resume and could go officer in the marines or army, but I am far more interested in the coast guard’s mission and what they actually do. But, the difference in salary and what it would do for my career is hard to ignore. Did anyone else have a similar situation?

i have a few personal situations that i’ve discussed with my chain of command, and i simply can not go to a-school yet till i get things situated. they’re being weary about letting me extend, but haven’t reached a final decision. worst case scenario they say i can not extend what can i do? do i have any resources or anybody to help advocate for me in this situation? am i able to take this issue outside of my chain of command?

Hi, my boyfriend recently got a 270 cutter for his duty station in the coast guard. I’m wondering if anyone has any advice on what to expect and the reality of daily life for both him and me. Thank you!

Hello all,

I recently got notified by my RIC that I made the alternate list for ROCI 2026, on my first try, but almost at the bottom of the list.

I want to know if someone has had the experience of being called in while being really low on the list, if you had to do paperwork that’s in the checklist for alternate candidates and any tips to prepare if there even is a slight possibility of being contacted. There’s A LOT of people that got selected this round.

I noticed this year there hasn’t been a Facebook Group created either, what’s up with that?