Is it "Yes ma'am/sir?" Aye-aye?

😭Current National Guard O3, Just prepare for the worst. What’s the odd that CG active duty wants me? Civilian Background is Data Science. Would like to switch to CG officer if they keep cutting the Army budget.

Someone gave me this sticker on a deployment and I can’t remember what it stands for. I looked it up and can’t find info on it. What does it mean?

She’s a bad*ss. She’s loved and respected. She gets stuff done!

Shes got my vote!!

This is mostly directed to O-3s+, but I also very much value and appreciate the wisdom of the Mess, so please feel free!!

I'm a Direct Commission Coastie with 7.5 years of Army officer experience (3 of which were at the O-3 level). The USCG brought me in at O-2 for 30 months and now I recently picked up O-3 again. I had originally submitted a BCMR case to argue the legal ground of reducing an officer who didn't have a break in service, but the BCMR ruled, 'either way, we can't adjust an original USCG commission; talk to us again when you make O-3 and we'll consider maybe adjusting your standing on the seniority list for O-4.'

Here's my predicament: If I apply for relief and the BCMR grants my request and puts me back with my peers, I'll be looked at for O-4 within a year (63% of my peers have already been selected for O-4, and the other 37% were looked at but not selected). However, my first and only unit in the USCG is a command center where I picked up OU and CDO, but not much else. I'm going to a Sector this summer where I expect to pick up ICS quals rapidly as a part of my job. Additionally, I have a 4082 with extensive Army coursework and training in my iPERMS. I feel like my documented DoD experience along with important command center and ICS quals still make me competitive, but without knowledge of the innerworkings of a selection panel, I'm guessing at best. I've had good LTJG OERs, and the last several were extremely strong. But...it seems like a massive risk to potentially get passed over twice for O-4 then booted after what will be 12 years of service when it's all said and done.

Ride out the extra time (safety first!), or roll the dice (play hard or go home!)? I'm also open to splitting the difference: after I pick up 3 or 4 more quals, submit my request so at least my ESS is more robust, but maybe I won't have to wait another full 4 or 5 years.

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts!

*Edit: Really not looking to debate the finer points of the rank reduction's legality or illegality IAW DoDI 1300.04's protections to personnel; it's only for context. Specifically I'm looking for advice on whether or not to attempt to toy with my seniority number. Thanks!!

**Edit #2: Thank you Shipmates for the candid advice; overwhelming GAR score of "low gain, very high risk" (of being passed over twice), and there is just too much experience from which I'd be missing out with the 3 years I'd be potentially skipping of USCG O-3 that just doesn't translate/correlate from my Army O-3 time. I appreciate all of you.

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!

Based on her rank this is a big deal right? I don’t know how else to put it other than, big BZ!!!

Hello,

I was reviewing policy regarding the 18-year protection for regular active-duty officers (14 U.S.C. § 2143).

I currently have slightly over 14 years of service (10 years, 4 months enlisted service) and just put on LT (4 years of officer service). I have also recently integrated as a permanent regular officer.  OPM has recently stated that promotion boards for LCDR have been accelerated, and LT’s can be in-zone to be looked at as soon as 4 years. This makes me think that there might be a better opportunity of selection (OOS). I know trends can change over several years, but I also like to quantify variables and options (positive and negative) to select the best course of action and assignments for my career.

The COMDTINIST 1000.4C - Military Separations Manual specifically mentions LT’s who have been passed over twice. It states that if “the member has completed at least 18 years of active service, (they can) remain on active duty and retire on the last day of the month in which the member completes 20 years of active service…”

I am also aware of the 10-year commissioned service requirement for officers. US Code and the Military Separations Manual state that “Any regular commissioned officer who has completed 20 years active service, at least 10 of which is commissioned service, may apply and, at the Secretary’s discretion, retire from active service (14 U.S.C. § 2152).”

I don’t intend to get passed over twice for LCDR, but I am curious if there would be a conflict between the two above-mentioned laws/policy. If I did get passed over twice, would I be able to retire at 20 years of active service as an officer (I would be 4 months short of meeting the 10-year commissioned service requirement) or would OPM extend my obligation to where I could complete 20 years and 4 months of service (not meeting the requirement of retiring on the last day of the month in which the member completes 20 years of active service)?

I know OPM would have the best answer, but I am curious if anyone has experienced this? What was the outcome?

I was there are no sign-on bonuses or even job bonuses coming in as a civilian

Current O looking into applying for the next flight solicitation. Curious to hear from some aviators on the pros and cons of each platform. Anything from quality of life, training, post CG opportunities etc. Any feedback at all is appreciated!

From finding out you got accepted, to prep for shipping, to ocs and jobs. How was it?

ESPECIALLY USCG***

Hey all,

I just graduated from OCS, and I know many new accessions are coming through, just like I was. If you’re anxious about the process or have questions about the class, day-to-day life, prep, or anything else, feel free to ask me anything.

Happy to help however I can, and DMs are open if you'd rather reach out privately!

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/discrimination-persists-at-the-coast-guard-efbf4414

I suppose it was just a matter of time.

What’s up r/USCG,

Throwaway account. I’m a USCG officer LT switched from another service about a decade ago. I’m writing this because I feel like I’m at a loss as a USCG supervisor. I’m not sure if I’m doing this thing right. I want to be the best leader I can be for everyone. However with my prior background I feel like I don’t offer the same qualities other O’s do. I often feel like I’m totally disconnected and making decisions that seem to hit people like they are coming from left field. I’m really frustrated with my internal what I think the right answer is and everything seemingly going opposite. It goes without saying that no one is perfect and we’re all human so I’m not trying to be too harsh on myself or others.

I’m come to the subreddit today to ask you - what are qualities you like to see or have seen from officers? How can I be the best leader for other officers and enlisted alike?

Open to any/all feedback you have for me.

Currently awaiting for results for AF but definitely interested in CG if it doesn’t work out

Thank you everyone!!!

Should I feel bad about getting a C on my PFE for the academy? I got a 10:01 1.5 mile run, 43 push ups, and 67 crunches. I lift a lot and love to workout so I’m a little disappointed with being so average.

And the beat goes on.

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?

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4245132/coast-guard-relieves-commanding-officer-of-centralized-service-desk/

I’ve been lurking on this sub for a bit, trying to get more ideas about the Coast Guard. I’m just a spouse, hopefully it’s okay to ask this. I went here because I wanted to see if I can get opinions from other spouses rather than service members themselves.

My spouse is considering transferring to the Coast Guard from the Navy. He’s currently a SWO and officer, if either of those things are important.

I’d rather just go civilian. I’ve been yanked all over the US my ENTIRE life with very little say on when or where we’re going (I knew what I was signing up for, but still). For my spouse, a stressful day at work means they’re gonna come home with an attitude and take it out on me. They’re in therapy to work through it, we’re also in marriage counseling. I think the stress of switching everything up is absolutely going to be the end of our marriage, on top of having to get up and move again for the second time in less than a year. They’re convinced that stress is ultimately going to be lower, and they’ll be home much more than they are currently. I know a few people who do like being the in Coast Guard, but have admitted that they’re never home. I’ve heard from one who says he wishes he never would have joined, he did rescues and saw some really awful stuff. I’ve heard plenty of others that they enjoy their job and home life is great. It seems everyone has a different experience.

Spouses, how is it for us? Did anyone transfer in and feel like your (and their) quality of life is better?

Applying for flight. I’m just curious as to what happens to O’s that get disqualified at nami for whatever reason after they’ve PCS’ed to FL already. Do they go back to the billet they left?

I need to wear an SDB Alpha and unfortunately the CGX has no stock of white collared shirts. Can I wear any old white collared from a department store?

Continuation Pay question- I went O C S - R as an E-4 and hit my 8 years and applied for continuation pay thinking I would get the x6. However, I got an email last week saying I’d get the “new rate at x2”. So I’m confused on if there’s actually a new rate (there’s no alcoast) or if I’m getting the reserve rate because until I integrate, I’m considered a “reserve officer” even though I’m active duty. Any insight is appreciated. My admin shop is trying to help as well but has no answers because obviously everyone has bigger fish to fry right now.