Requirements for Coast Guard Maritime Academy to be an officer?

[tommy]

I saw this on gocoastguard.com. It says that through this program you can be an officer but no have to go to the USCGA for college(but you do have to attend a 4 week program there). What are the requirements for this? I plan on applying to the USCGA but in case I dont make it I am trying to look into as many back-up plans as possible. Thank you.

[jdcavo]

I'm not sure what you're interested in, but I think you may be asking in the wrong forum. The 4-week school at the Coast Guard Academy is officer candidate school (OCS). It's located on the grounds of the academy, but is separate from the 4-year cadet program. It trains people who did not go through the Academy's for the 4-year cadet program to be Coast Guard officers. It does not lead to any qualifications as a merchant marine officer. If you're looking for info on becoming an officer in the Coast Guard, this isn't the best place to ask. I'd try asking through Coast Guard recruiting offices, web sites, etc.

[Robert]

Unless things have changed significantly since my days, OCS is definitely not a 4 week program.

[cappy208]

It appears you may be confusing the normal USCG academy (a 4 year program similar to college) and the USCG OCS. As mentioned earlier, these are TWO separate programs. OCS just piggy backs off some of the classes and is done mostly at other CG sites, and takes both years of time in the CG, and months as a trainee. The OCS program incorporates only 4 weeks of intensive classroom portion at New London. Either way, there is no 'quick way' to become an officer.

The OCS is for USCG members who have been in the CG for years, and have matriculated up as far as they can go as a 'non officer.' Then the OCS is the only way to progress to 'officer status.'

It is funny how the CG can have a 'program' in place to allow and encourage unlicensed CG personnel to work up, and become leaders (at our expense); when it costs thousands for civilians to do this on their own and with more and more rules and regulations. This is being promulgated by the same individuals (in the CG) who get the same education/ training/ and knowledge on our dime while making it harder and harder for the civilians who pay taxes that contribute to this program to be able to actually do these jobs in the Merchant Marine!

[BMCSRetired]

It is funny how the CG can have a 'program' in place to allow and encourage unlicensed CG personnel to work up, and become leaders (at our expense); when it costs thousands for civilians to do this on their own and with more and more rules and regulations. This is being promulgated by the same individuals (in the CG) who get the same education/ training/ and knowledge on our dime while making it harder and harder for the civilians who pay taxes that contribute to this program to be able to actually do these jobs in the Merchant Marine!

Cappy,

1. If you have a college degree already (including from a MMA) you can go to OCS.

2. Trust me on this one, if you are USCG going for a license and not from the Coast Guard Academy, you have to go through most (75%) of the schools that a civilian would because most COAST GUARD SCHOOLS ARE NOT COAST GUARD APPROVED.

I am just going to leave those there. I have been working on an upgrade with everything complete per the CFR for seven months and I would be treated better if I had shot the pope than had any of my seatime in the USCG. The ones that "promulgate" the regulations in most cases were on the water less than two years before they got into inspections instead of working and standing the watch.

[cappy208]

Sorry, that was a typo. i meant to say... 'to allow and encourage enlisted USCG personnel'. That post sort of got away from me. I was referring to USCG personnel, as opposed to civilian mariners. And your last sentence is much clearer and brief than mine. Well put!

My observation was simply that this governmental agency has a way for its members to matriculate 'up.' And IMHO it appears that this same agency is not too user friendly to its civilian counterparts, regarding career movement, progression and answers. At the same time, for the members who are matriculated up through this taxpayer funded program have a license, diploma and experience is totally useless outside the agency that issues it! Sounds like typical government waste and 'efficiency' to me!

You mention that if one has a degree then you can attend OCS. But you can only attend OCS if you are a USCG member, in for a while. It is not for mariners who are looking for a quick way to get a license, or approval to work in the USMM.

[Robert]

OK, first Coast Guard OCS is 17 weeks, not 4. Second, both enlisted personnel and civilians with college degrees attend OCS and graduate with commissions in the USCG.

[BMCSRetired]

At the same time, for the members who are matriculated up through this taxpayer funded program have a license, diploma and experience is totally useless outside the agency that issues it! Sounds like typical government waste and 'efficiency' to me!

You mention that if one has a degree then you can attend OCS. But you can only attend OCS if you are a USCG member, in for a while. It is not for mariners who are looking for a quick way to get a license, or approval to work in the USMM.

1. Not totally useless. While most may not have the shiphandling you and I think are required, they do have skills we do not. In most cases they are better at administrative and paperwork. Additionally there is the "old boy" network which Iam not a fan of.

2. You can apply to OCS and get in and not have spent anytime in IF you have a degree they want. Sometimes that degree is from a Merchant Mariner Academy, sometimes it is not. They fill holes they have through OCS, right time, right place.

3. Efficiency,? The USCG is a government entity. Efficiency, in most cases, and government agency are mutually exclusive terms, IMHO.

[cappy208]

Were talking in circles here. Of course having an education is worthwhile. It taught me how to Speel Propurly! I was referring to the useless (ness) of being trained by the same institution that is in charge of certifying Professional Merchant Mariners, and when you put in your 20 years, you have to come out (this may sound familiar to some) and 're certify,' 're examine,' and 're take' the courses that you had to take to be able to certify civilians (me for example) to be able to do the same job in the USMM. Sounds sort of assanine to me!

The comment about OCS was that it isn't a 4 week classroom time that one can attend, graduate, and get a license and 'go free' into the industry to earn money. That was what was obliquely being asked, referred to by the OP.

[BMCSRetired]

We're talking in circles here.

I apologize Cappy. I see your point now.

I just get frustrated by the way I and others I have been helping have been treated trying to upgrade/renew/etc... by an organization I committed myself to and worked for 24/7 for 22 years just kills me a little inside.