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Coast Guard MST rating?
I've been reading up on Coast Guard ratings, and Marine Science Technician seems most interesting. However, I have a few questions:
1) Overall, is it harder to get in than most CG ratings?
2) If you had a degree in environmental sciences, oceanography, biology, or related fields, would it help you in becoming an MST or help you get promoted faster?
3) Are there a lot of billets open, and if so, is there a lot of competition?
4) Is boot camp more challenging than other CG rating boot camps, and if so, is it harder mentally or physically?
I know the Coast Guard is harder to get in than most (if not all) military branches, and that it is usually the most challenging branch to get into mentally, so please don't tell me that.
3 Answers
- crndLv 77 years agoFavorite Answer
1. Coast Guard rating specialties are nothing you can sign up for in advance as with DoD services. The way it works, you join the Coast Guard. After you've been at your first unit a few months and are recommended, you can put your name on the list for any rating specialty that you qualify for. MST is marginally harder to qualify for (requires higher ASVAB) than some ratings, but the reality is that almost everyone who a recruiter even accepts at all has the scores for any rating. The big thing is the wait once your name is on the list. MST is longer than most, currently listed at "more than 36 months". You can review the currently projected waits for all USCG "A" schools at the official list here:
http://www.uscg.mil/psc/epm/docs/A-SchoolList.pdf
2. Not particularly. Bachelor's degrees amongst MSTs aren't even particularly rare. It's a pretty well educated rate.
3. Again, it's about the "A" school wait. The wait is driven by how many people they need (the billets that are open) and how many people want to do it. If you wait your turn for "A" school and graduate, you get an MST billet.
4. Varying opinions on which boot camp is "harder", and different people have different opinions. Keep in mind that none of the opinions are all that informed, as I know of no one who has personally completed all 5 boot camps. Bottom line though is that all of them are military boot camp, and in the case of the CG, only lasts 8 weeks. It's not worth worrying about which may be marginally harder or easier for something that's over in 8 weeks. It's meant to be challenging, but not impossible. Best advice is to focus on what comes after.
See a recruiter to learn more, and good luck!
Source(s): I'm a USCG officer, have worked with lots of MSTs (and recommended a few for OCS!) - 7 years ago
The only thing I can say is that boot for all ratings is the same. You will go to MST with other Coast Guard recruits from all walks of life going into different ratings. It is the technical training afterwards that differs and distinguishes Coastguardsmen.
Source(s): US Navy Future Sailor - Sweetdaddy RexLv 77 years ago
First of all, sounds like you're looking for an easy way out; Doesn't work that way ! Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for that field'. "Boot Camp, is Boot Camp; No big deal; Just do it ! Big difference in being stationed in Miami, than Kodiak ! I know, I did 24 mos. on Kodiak ! Play-time is over !
