How will the older generation Mazda3 Stack up against the new civic?

Its kind of silly to compare a 14 year old car to a brand new one.  If you like the mazda so much get another one. Or test drive the civic and decide.

Go test drive one.

Check out the new Mazda 3 too - the hatchback especially.

Hello Mark. I have never been in the military, so I cannot give you any first-hand advice. I think you should talk to somebody who either is currently in the Coast Guard or is a veteran. 

Is this your graduation photo?

$1400? The Mazda3 doesn’t fall under the category of a sport/luxury car. It’s just a cheap econo car. Yeah I see, so your saying the wage from what I make during my enlistment is enough, butt with the combined expenses of my debt, it makes it impractical to insure the car? Anonymous About the debt to income ratio, is that suppose to be a contract agreeing that I won’t spend more than say 30% of debt vs what I earn? The coast guard according the most military branches have the strictest policy when it comes to finances and they say my debt to income ratio cannot be more than 30%. What happens if I violate that?

Yeah you are totally right anonymous. I am definitely better off with an electric bicycle. Not work jeopardizing my career over a stupid car. Sorry for the late reply anonymous. So since I’m starting out as an E-2 apprentice, what does it take for me to move up to an E-3? How about an E-4? Anything beyond an E-4 would require that I complete an attendee school of my MOS.  after I do graduate boot camp will I be promoted to an e-3 or will I need to serve more time to love up that rank? 

Anonymous what advice could you give to me as after as keeping and be careful in the coast guard or just transitioning to military like for that matter.

Have you ever heard the phrase “beggars can’t be choosers?”

Those in dire need must be content with whatever they can get. For example, the cheapest model car will have to do—since beggars can't be choosers. This expression was familiar enough to be included in John Heywood's 1546 collection of proverbs.

Having too much debt will mean that you are denied a security clearance in the Coast Guard. If you continue to accumulate debt and are unable to make the monthly payments this will lead to a bad conduct discharge from the military. You can actually get in trouble criminally with the Coast Guard.

You need to read paragraph 71, article 134 of the military code. This law explains what happens when your income to debt ratio exceeds 30%.

The way I see it, with the debt you currently have your income to debt ratio is at least 25% at this time.  So you need to work on paying off your debt, not accumulating even more consumer debt.

Promotion to E3 is pretty much automatic based on time served. But to get promoted to E4, your commanding officer needs to do that after you have had 26 months in service, six months time in grade, and you have provided any necessary security clearances. Your supervisor can also waive the time in grade 3 to as little as three months.

You should make E3 six months after boot camp.  But don’t start spending your money now.