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Damage Controlman or Boatswain Mate?
I was wondering if anyone could give me some more information on what it's like to work in these rates? Which in your opinion would be better? I'm enlisting in the Coast Guard, but Navy guys please share your input as well!
Thanks
The goal is to enlist for 4-6 years, finish my degree (currently have an Associates) then apply to either USCG OCS or the NOAA CORPS. The idea in my head is that if I take on a rating that's ship oriented like BM or DC, and study something technical, I can make myself look like a much more capable officer candidate compared to the guys fresh out of college with just a degree.
3 Answers
- crndLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
"Better" is a matter of what you'd rather do.
Firefighting, repair, welding.....be a DC.
Small boat driving, maritime boardings, working on the bridge of a cutter.....be a BM.
"Better" is entirely dependent upon personal preference, and the answer is different for different people. The answer for you.....that's one you have to figure out for yourself.
One thing you do have a misconception about......your enlisted rating matters almost not at all regarding USCG OCS chances. While your degree field matters, (you are correct that technical degrees are better), prior enlisted time is all about enlisted performance (and you are also correct that currently enlisted members have a better chance than someone fresh out of college). How strong your marks are, your recommendations from your command, any awards or honors you may have received. Pick what you like. Chances are, you'll do better at whatever it is if you really like it, and doing better is what counts.
See a recruiter to learn more, and good luck!
Source(s): I'm a USCG officer. - 8 years ago
Coast Guard BMs do a lot more Navigation work (the province of QMs in the Navy) than their Naval brethren do.
Given those two choices, I'd go with BM. You're going to be working hard in either one.
Source(s): Active-duty Navy - BaldrickLv 78 years ago
Those are your only options?
........
Well a DC would learn how to weld and do some metal work.........
Source(s): Edit to add: You're not going to have a lot of free time in the Deck Division. You'd be better off doing something on the bridge- Quartermaster, navigator, some kind of ET, radar....
