Nice! Don't worry; the Coast Guard hardly has barracks, so you will be released to the economy in no time. Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck with everything!
It’s definitely not a lot. But one thing to add to it, is that you will be using BAH for rent and BAS for your meals. It may end up being the same as your example. Nevertheless the advantage of being released into the economy is that you can find a roommate, pay less for rent and save the rest of the BAH. BTW good video.
Thanks for sharing, was helpful! If youre released to the economy and get say...$2500/month for housing but your cost/expense is only $2000, do you return the remaining $500 or do you pocket it?
You get to keep it. :) If your BAH is 2500, they will direct deposit that money into your account. Whatever you do with it is up to you. As long as you show up to work, you are good 🌟
Is house hacking in the Coast Guard the same as DoD branches? I know the VA home loan is amazing to make money long term but I’m just trying to figure out if it’s any different with the CG
So I’m 34 now. Been thinking about doing Sheriff Academy here in OC, Cali. I believe trainees make 40.22/hr. But have always wanted to do military. I heard of CG reserve. I have a pathologist/ Navy tell me that going reserve May help with promoting on both sides. What would you say would be pros going reserve? I just found your videos. Currently work for County/ Gov.
Hey! I’m 32 also live in SoCal and joining Active in January, I would say military background definitely helps you get promoted. Take the leap and do it, Cali as you know is crazy expensive and although you might technically make less I think it’ll be worth it in the long run
Hey, so sorry for the late response! I know very little about the reserve route I originally was going to go in as a reserve. I had asked like 100 people for their advice, and they told me to go on active duty! Of course, your life is completely different, and you might have other goals. I suggest right now that you are still so young, go active duty, enlist for only 4 years, and see if you like it. I know it might sound crazy, but this one decision might open your eyes to new ideas and goals. The best part is that you lose nothing and gain so much more, including the VA and GI Bill, and don't be scared of the salary I showed. I will make a new video in a few days sharing how much I make now one year in and Rated. I hope my essay helped in one way or another, stay safe and good luck with everything:) 🍀
It can be a pretty quick process, but it really depends on your location where you get stationed. If you are a Non-Rate you might live in an apartment with another Non-Rate as you wait to go to A school. If you are an E-4, you will usually be released to the economy immediately.
It is hard to say because it depends on where you are stationed. Use this Military Calculator to help you out. But you should be okay. You will start receiving BAH from the start because you have dependents and will never have to see a small check. militarypay.defense.gov/Calcu...
I was using the calculator you are using… would it be fair to say to just go based on the “annual basic pay” and not based on the “total regular military compensation” to determine what you are going to see on your checks? Just because that is what it looks like, based on the pay stub you showed.
Hi! Quick question Im 26 , single parent with 2 kids. Took my asvab already and looking into being a health tech as my goal is to be a nurse. Im thinking of doing active duty as in the end I'm thinking of the future for my littles as I live in California where it's expensive ! Do you think making the sacrifice and going active would be worth it? Really looking for an actual coasties advicee! Thank you !
Going on active duty would be perfect for your situation. You are very young and have lots to look forward to. If you sign up for active duty, it will help give your life a buffer, helping you work on your goal to become a nurse without the stress of rent every month. Also, you will have health insurance for you and your kids and many other perks. Even if it's just for 4 years, it will benefit you and your family and give you a great experience as a mother. Lastly, if you join now and did your 20 years with the service, you will be retired with a pension at age 46/47:) If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to let me know, and I'll try to respond as soon as possible. If I don't reply, I am probably drowning in school homework. Good Luck! 🍀
Can you explain how scheduling works I heard it’s mostly two days on two days off is that true ? And also being a 24hr service does times rotate from morning shift to graveyard ext ?
Your schedule would depend on where you are stationed and what missions you are involved with. Also, every command is different, so you have early work days and a later work schedule in some. If you narrow down the question to a specific unit or rate, I can give you a better answer. Some people go on Cutters, Small Boat Stations, and land units, so schedules are unique. Hope this helped.
I’m 20years old making 50k a year right now, I’m leaving for meps in a couple of weeks but do you honestly think it’s worth the sacrifice to my pay, id making like half of what I do in the coastguard then I do now
Yes, it is absolutely worth it! You will only be making less money for a short amount of time. Once you are rated, you will make pretty good money! And everything else you gain for serving, such as tuition assistance, BHA, GI Bill, and health insurance. You are so young that it wouldn't even hurt to serve 4 years and get the experience and benefits, then separate if you don't like it. Hope this helps:)
with the housing allowance/food allowance, does it stack. like if u dont use the allowance for that month or not all of it does it transfer over to the next month. or no
If you are released to the economy, you will get to keep your BAH and BSA. This money will be deposited into your bank account. If you are not released to the economy, they will take it, and you won't see it. But remember, you will have everything you need. This is only temporary till you advance or get released to the economy.
Currently a city cop with 3 years on. Going on military leave and I didn’t go depot cause I wasn’t going ME. I’m actually 30, going in for the full boot camp experience, I ship dec 3rd 2024! I know as a nonrate it can be hard but is it that much harder being 30yrs old?
Great question! Congratulations on choosing to join. It's funny you ask. My good friend and I joined at a later age, and he turned 30 while he was on the boat. There were times we hated it, but we met some great people and made some great memories. If you are a city cop now, you should do great in boot camp. Start working out early if you need to get back in shape so you are ready to knock it out. Boot camp could be difficult, but it's more mental than anything. Watch my video, where I discuss getting ready for boot camp and go more into it. Also, I work with a friend who is 42 years old and just graduated from camp. Good luck with everything!
Wow thank you for the response! That’s very encouraging! I also was wondering what your thoughts of being OS? I am currently married. And wanted to do it cause of how it’s boot to A. But even besides that and the bonus. It seems to be more involved With what the coast guard is about than the other rate I wanted which was YN. I love the idea of The great QOL, but I feel you miss out on being apart of the true mission
Son will finish boot cam the end of Nov. He went in as E1 and hope to land Seaman rate and get BM A-School as quickly as possible. He talks a lot about having his car and was wondering if there are any scenarios where he's not allowed to have his car? Cutter vs. Small Boat Command/detail vs. Ice Breaker, etc. Thank you.
Congratulations! He will grow so much from this experience and be so grateful he did it in the future. He will be able to have his car anywhere. It doesn't matter where you are stationed:) He cannot have his car only while he is in boot camp and on a Cutter while he is underway. But if he does get a Cutter, he will come home, and his car will be safe on base. The car is the least of his worries.
@@Henry_Fargo thanks for the reply. I understand how a car can be the least of his worries. When he does have liberty it will certainly be more "liberating" to be behind the wheel of his car instead of walking or biking the the nearest entertainment. So the sailors on cutters, there's just a big open gated parking lot where they all park their cars?
@motleypixel Usually, if you are attached to a cutter and aren't married, you will live in some apartment shared with another coastie, so he can park his car where he lives. But when they leave on patrol he can leave his car on base to not worry about it as he focuses on work. But when he is not underway, he can place his car where he feels safe. Not underway, he will have a regular work schedule and will most likely use his car for daily commute
A little older (in my 30s), I'm looking into joining. I'm having trouble deciding between rated and non-rated positions. Do guaranteed districts carry over after "A" school? What are the boot camp to "A" school ratings? Which rates are small boat divisions? I'm considering MST. There are only about three people (outside of Reddit) providing any information. Thanks for the video! I hear underway is good for younger people, so being older, I'm kind of leaning more toward going straight to a rate. Also, there's not a lot of information on port of calls while underway etc .. more info would help in this area. Thanks
I would recommend going the Boot-To-A route if there is a Rate you like that has that option. If the Rate you desire has a waitlist and you have to go the Non-Rate route, that could be hard at first but rewarding with time. Think it through, and if MST is your dream, don't let anything mislead you. There is a saying in the Coast Guard: "Choose your rate, choose your fate." - If you do not want to deal with the young crowd and do not want to wait forever to make decent money, go the Boot-To-A route. - If you have a dream job or specific goal and Non-rate is the option, follow that dream. Hopefully, this helped a bit. Thank you for the feedback. Let me know if you have any other questions.
@Henry_Fargo Thanks for the information. I don't necessarily have a dream job per se, but getting to work and building that experience is my main goal. I prefer small boat/land unit type stations, and I don't want to "wait" a few years to start working, so I'm not sure which rates, in your opinion, have a shorter waitlist. I know I don't want to do any interdiction or carry a banger every day. Outside of that, maybe a somewhat "normal" schedule, home daily or at least 60-70% of the week, would be ideal. I have some flight crew experience in a different field, but I hear that for any aviation route there's a pretty long waitlist, so I'm trying to narrow down the rates with these parameters, to be honest. I don't mind a desk job, but I don't want to get stuck behind a computer all day, lol. CS, OS, didn't sound too appealing, but charting and inspections, some boat driving, and training sounded interesting. I'm looking at Electrician's Mate, but I hear they're on a boat a lot. I do have a ton of college credits, but I don't know how long it would take to go from enlisted to Officer without the degree my recruiter said it'll be tough going to officer training right away. After A school does the guaranteed district carry over or will it be the needs of the USCG at that point thanks I'm in a long term relationship and staying together vs breaking it off hinges on where I'd be based lol On the USCG website, there's no hint about which boot camp to "A" school rates there are. Should I just ask my recruiter? I know I'm long winded but thanks for your responses.
Go Boot-to-A brother! We’re too old to be messing around with the kids as non-rates. I’m going boot-to-A, leave in January. I’ve heard of Coasties that join as one rate and end up being something completely different years later, not ideal or common but not impossible obviously. I didn’t want to get stuck waiting for months or years for A-school. There’s definitely pros and cons to either decision but make one and stick with it, I’m sure you will make the right choice for yourself.
I’m actually currently a cop. Going on military leave for 4 years, I’m 30, I’m going in as a nonrate. I ship December 3rd 2024! Wish I could have done boot to A but it didn’t workout really that way for me
The rank bay is the same, but the Basic Housing Allowance will differ depending on your location. Please don't let this discourage you from exploring the option of joining; you get so many benefits it's unbelievable! And your pay rises with time in and as you rank up.
Goal is to pay most of my debt before I go. 😅
I should be shipping out in January!! I’m going in as a nonrate
Nice! Don't worry; the Coast Guard hardly has barracks, so you will be released to the economy in no time. Let me know if you have any questions, and good luck with everything!
I love your videos!!!!
It’s definitely not a lot. But one thing to add to it, is that you will be using BAH for rent and BAS for your meals. It may end up being the same as your example. Nevertheless the advantage of being released into the economy is that you can find a roommate, pay less for rent and save the rest of the BAH. BTW good video.
Thank you!
Great info 👍
Thanks for sharing, was helpful! If youre released to the economy and get say...$2500/month for housing but your cost/expense is only $2000, do you return the remaining $500 or do you pocket it?
You get to keep it. :) If your BAH is 2500, they will direct deposit that money into your account. Whatever you do with it is up to you. As long as you show up to work, you are good 🌟
Can u talk more about coast guard cms pay?. It’s a technology job.
Is house hacking in the Coast Guard the same as DoD branches? I know the VA home loan is amazing to make money long term but I’m just trying to figure out if it’s any different with the CG
Absolutely, if not better, due to the limited on-base housing options.
So I’m 34 now. Been thinking about doing Sheriff Academy here in OC, Cali. I believe trainees make 40.22/hr. But have always wanted to do military. I heard of CG reserve. I have a pathologist/ Navy tell me that going reserve May help with promoting on both sides. What would you say would be pros going reserve? I just found your videos. Currently work for County/ Gov.
Hey! I’m 32 also live in SoCal and joining Active in January, I would say military background definitely helps you get promoted. Take the leap and do it, Cali as you know is crazy expensive and although you might technically make less I think it’ll be worth it in the long run
@@rickygarcia0611 might just do it but have to complete a surrogacy commitment which will have me out for the next 11-12 months. Good luck in January!
@@HemiChick300 Oh wow! That’s admirable, take care of yourself. 👏
Hey, so sorry for the late response! I know very little about the reserve route I originally was going to go in as a reserve. I had asked like 100 people for their advice, and they told me to go on active duty! Of course, your life is completely different, and you might have other goals. I suggest right now that you are still so young, go active duty, enlist for only 4 years, and see if you like it. I know it might sound crazy, but this one decision might open your eyes to new ideas and goals. The best part is that you lose nothing and gain so much more, including the VA and GI Bill, and don't be scared of the salary I showed. I will make a new video in a few days sharing how much I make now one year in and Rated. I hope my essay helped in one way or another, stay safe and good luck with everything:) 🍀
How common is it to be released into the economy?
It can be a pretty quick process, but it really depends on your location where you get stationed. If you are a Non-Rate you might live in an apartment with another Non-Rate as you wait to go to A school. If you are an E-4, you will usually be released to the economy immediately.
What do you think a pay stub will look like after sk or bm A school with a wife and kid that’s too dependent plus BAH
It is hard to say because it depends on where you are stationed. Use this Military Calculator to help you out. But you should be okay. You will start receiving BAH from the start because you have dependents and will never have to see a small check.
militarypay.defense.gov/Calcu...
I was using the calculator you are using… would it be fair to say to just go based on the “annual basic pay” and not based on the “total regular military compensation” to determine what you are going to see on your checks? Just because that is what it looks like, based on the pay stub you showed.
Exactly 💥
Hi! Quick question Im 26 , single parent with 2 kids. Took my asvab already and looking into being a health tech as my goal is to be a nurse. Im thinking of doing active duty as in the end I'm thinking of the future for my littles as I live in California where it's expensive ! Do you think making the sacrifice and going active would be worth it? Really looking for an actual coasties advicee! Thank you !
Going on active duty would be perfect for your situation. You are very young and have lots to look forward to. If you sign up for active duty, it will help give your life a buffer, helping you work on your goal to become a nurse without the stress of rent every month. Also, you will have health insurance for you and your kids and many other perks. Even if it's just for 4 years, it will benefit you and your family and give you a great experience as a mother. Lastly, if you join now and did your 20 years with the service, you will be retired with a pension at age 46/47:)
If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to let me know, and I'll try to respond as soon as possible.
If I don't reply, I am probably drowning in school homework. Good Luck! 🍀
Can you explain how scheduling works I heard it’s mostly two days on two days off is that true ? And also being a 24hr service does times rotate from morning shift to graveyard ext ?
Your schedule would depend on where you are stationed and what missions you are involved with. Also, every command is different, so you have early work days and a later work schedule in some. If you narrow down the question to a specific unit or rate, I can give you a better answer. Some people go on Cutters, Small Boat Stations, and land units, so schedules are unique. Hope this helped.
@@Henry_Fargo appreciate it to narrow it down I’m considering BM rate and I’d be fine with either cutter or small boat
I’m 20years old making 50k a year right now, I’m leaving for meps in a couple of weeks but do you honestly think it’s worth the sacrifice to my pay, id making like half of what I do in the coastguard then I do now
Yes, it is absolutely worth it! You will only be making less money for a short amount of time. Once you are rated, you will make pretty good money! And everything else you gain for serving, such as tuition assistance, BHA, GI Bill, and health insurance. You are so young that it wouldn't even hurt to serve 4 years and get the experience and benefits, then separate if you don't like it. Hope this helps:)
@@Henry_FargoThankyou I needed to hear that. Keep doing what you do your great man
with the housing allowance/food allowance, does it stack. like if u dont use the allowance for that month or not all of it does it transfer over to the next month. or no
If you are released to the economy, you will get to keep your BAH and BSA. This money will be deposited into your bank account. If you are not released to the economy, they will take it, and you won't see it. But remember, you will have everything you need. This is only temporary till you advance or get released to the economy.
@@Henry_Fargowhen do you get released to the economy like how long after basic just curious i know it probably depends on the situation but yea
Currently a city cop with 3 years on. Going on military leave and I didn’t go depot cause I wasn’t going ME. I’m actually 30, going in for the full boot camp experience, I ship dec 3rd 2024! I know as a nonrate it can be hard but is it that much harder being 30yrs old?
Great question! Congratulations on choosing to join. It's funny you ask. My good friend and I joined at a later age, and he turned 30 while he was on the boat. There were times we hated it, but we met some great people and made some great memories.
If you are a city cop now, you should do great in boot camp. Start working out early if you need to get back in shape so you are ready to knock it out. Boot camp could be difficult, but it's more mental than anything. Watch my video, where I discuss getting ready for boot camp and go more into it. Also, I work with a friend who is 42 years old and just graduated from camp. Good luck with everything!
Wow thank you for the response! That’s very encouraging! I also was wondering what your thoughts of being OS? I am currently married. And wanted to do it cause of how it’s boot to A. But even besides that and the bonus. It seems to be more involved With what the coast guard is about than the other rate I wanted which was YN. I love the idea of The great QOL, but I feel you miss out on being apart of the true mission
Son will finish boot cam the end of Nov. He went in as E1 and hope to land Seaman rate and get BM A-School as quickly as possible. He talks a lot about having his car and was wondering if there are any scenarios where he's not allowed to have his car? Cutter vs. Small Boat Command/detail vs. Ice Breaker, etc. Thank you.
Congratulations! He will grow so much from this experience and be so grateful he did it in the future. He will be able to have his car anywhere. It doesn't matter where you are stationed:) He cannot have his car only while he is in boot camp and on a Cutter while he is underway. But if he does get a Cutter, he will come home, and his car will be safe on base. The car is the least of his worries.
@@Henry_Fargo thanks for the reply. I understand how a car can be the least of his worries. When he does have liberty it will certainly be more "liberating" to be behind the wheel of his car instead of walking or biking the the nearest entertainment. So the sailors on cutters, there's just a big open gated parking lot where they all park their cars?
@motleypixel Usually, if you are attached to a cutter and aren't married, you will live in some apartment shared with another coastie, so he can park his car where he lives. But when they leave on patrol he can leave his car on base to not worry about it as he focuses on work.
But when he is not underway, he can place his car where he feels safe. Not underway, he will have a regular work schedule and will most likely use his car for daily commute
@@Henry_Fargo thank you. So even the most junior of sailors on a cutter don't physically live (24/7/365) on the cutter?
@@motleypixel Exactly. Only while underway do they live on the boat 24/7 for about a month or two.
A little older (in my 30s), I'm looking into joining. I'm having trouble deciding between rated and non-rated positions. Do guaranteed districts carry over after "A" school? What are the boot camp to "A" school ratings? Which rates are small boat divisions? I'm considering MST. There are only about three people (outside of Reddit) providing any information. Thanks for the video! I hear underway is good for younger people, so being older, I'm kind of leaning more toward going straight to a rate. Also, there's not a lot of information on port of calls while underway etc .. more info would help in this area.
Thanks
I would recommend going the Boot-To-A route if there is a Rate you like that has that option. If the Rate you desire has a waitlist and you have to go the Non-Rate route, that could be hard at first but rewarding with time. Think it through, and if MST is your dream, don't let anything mislead you.
There is a saying in the Coast Guard: "Choose your rate, choose your fate."
- If you do not want to deal with the young crowd and do not want to wait forever to make decent money, go the Boot-To-A route.
- If you have a dream job or specific goal and Non-rate is the option, follow that dream.
Hopefully, this helped a bit. Thank you for the feedback. Let me know if you have any other questions.
@Henry_Fargo Thanks for the information. I don't necessarily have a dream job per se, but getting to work and building that experience is my main goal. I prefer small boat/land unit type stations, and I don't want to "wait" a few years to start working, so I'm not sure which rates, in your opinion, have a shorter waitlist. I know I don't want to do any interdiction or carry a banger every day. Outside of that, maybe a somewhat "normal" schedule, home daily or at least 60-70% of the week, would be ideal. I have some flight crew experience in a different field, but I hear that for any aviation route there's a pretty long waitlist, so I'm trying to narrow down the rates with these parameters, to be honest. I don't mind a desk job, but I don't want to get stuck behind a computer all day, lol. CS, OS, didn't sound too appealing, but charting and inspections, some boat driving, and training sounded interesting. I'm looking at Electrician's Mate, but I hear they're on a boat a lot. I do have a ton of college credits, but I don't know how long it would take to go from enlisted to Officer without the degree my recruiter said it'll be tough going to officer training right away.
After A school does the guaranteed district carry over or will it be the needs of the USCG at that point thanks I'm in a long term relationship and staying together vs breaking it off hinges on where I'd be based lol
On the USCG website, there's no hint about which boot camp to "A" school rates there are. Should I just ask my recruiter?
I know I'm long winded but thanks for your responses.
Go Boot-to-A brother! We’re too old to be messing around with the kids as non-rates. I’m going boot-to-A, leave in January. I’ve heard of Coasties that join as one rate and end up being something completely different years later, not ideal or common but not impossible obviously. I didn’t want to get stuck waiting for months or years for A-school. There’s definitely pros and cons to either decision but make one and stick with it, I’m sure you will make the right choice for yourself.
I’m actually currently a cop. Going on military leave for 4 years, I’m 30, I’m going in as a nonrate. I ship December 3rd 2024! Wish I could have done boot to A but it didn’t workout really that way for me
@@mattadam-l9s best of luck man! See you there maybe, I leave January 7th so you’ll be on the tail end of training.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I’m making 22 an hour and married I’m considering going to the coast guard should I go ?
It would be a life-changing decision that would benefit you only. If you have nothing else going on, do it!
Is this for all jobs?.
The rank bay is the same, but the Basic Housing Allowance will differ depending on your location. Please don't let this discourage you from exploring the option of joining; you get so many benefits it's unbelievable! And your pay rises with time in and as you rank up.
@@Henry_Fargo do you know a way to find the locations that certain jobs are at?. I would love to know more!. I’m excited to go into coast guard .
Are you an SK?
No, but I have worked them them.
The more and more I debate on joining it seems more and more like a big joke