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Question about my son deciding between USCG or USN?
8/29/2011 6:57:49 PM
My son just graduated HS and went to the Army recruiter, they will take him but they are only offering him infantry jobs, his ASVAB score is 44 and they have no interest letting him retake it. He went to the USN recruiter and they require a 50 on the ASVAB and have no problem retaking it, he scored a 60 on a practice one they gave him. We contacted the USCG and they require at least a 50 but would like a minimum of 70 the recruiter told us. He has been studying his butt off and I think he can get that 70 pretty easy, his decision is which one would be better for a long term career. Any cons against either when looking for one to join for more than a 4 year enlistment?
Thanks, Bob
Thanks, Bob
8/29/2011 7:21:22 PM
Hard to get into the uscg right now, were full. And the navy is canning 20 thousand jobs.
8/29/2011 7:33:23 PM
Originally Posted By mrhylais:
Hard to get into the uscg right now, were full.
Hard to get into the uscg right now, were full.
I figured that and asked if they were still hiring, the recruiter said yes but basic wouldn't be until Dec or Jan....that is no problem with us.
8/29/2011 9:30:14 PM
Are you sure that your son scored such a low score? Is he not applying himself? Is he bad at taking tests?
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
There are inexpensive study guides with practice tests that can be purchased. Fifty hours of diligent study could improve his score by 25%.
But, to answer your question, with the coming RIF, I would say USCG. It is a smaller force, but not likely to be as cut as much as the Navy. He could do 4 years in the USCG, and when the USN is done cutting (too much), they would be glad to take him 4-5 years from now.
That's the pattern. They cut too much, a generation of angry ex-servicemen are sent home to tell their kid brothers, younger cousins, etc., about going from rapid deployment to unemployment, the economy finally picks up, nobody wants to join, and just as the last RIF victims are getting their separation checks.....there is another shortage of recruits, and they start offering enlistment bonuses and start taking prior service troops.
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
There are inexpensive study guides with practice tests that can be purchased. Fifty hours of diligent study could improve his score by 25%.
But, to answer your question, with the coming RIF, I would say USCG. It is a smaller force, but not likely to be as cut as much as the Navy. He could do 4 years in the USCG, and when the USN is done cutting (too much), they would be glad to take him 4-5 years from now.
That's the pattern. They cut too much, a generation of angry ex-servicemen are sent home to tell their kid brothers, younger cousins, etc., about going from rapid deployment to unemployment, the economy finally picks up, nobody wants to join, and just as the last RIF victims are getting their separation checks.....there is another shortage of recruits, and they start offering enlistment bonuses and start taking prior service troops.
8/29/2011 10:38:48 PM
It's a shame that there are no CG stations in Nevada.
I always encouraged those interested in this career to talk with the folks assigned to stations near them to hear for themselves the nuts and bolts of what goes on to validate what is told to them from Recruiters. Yes. Validate. This was always my goal, whether they enlisted or not. Why? Because chances were very good that I would be stationed at one time or another with some that I enlisted, and I'm damned picky about whom I will entrust my life to.
I, of course have been retired from the Coast Guard for 14 years. However, my daughter has been in for 13 years and has served with several younger members that I was stationed with. She will soon be promoted to Chief and is currently serving in the middle east.
This is not the life for most. But, I loved it - well, not the cold, wet, tired and miserably sea sick part
I would not have changed a bit of it.
I always encouraged those interested in this career to talk with the folks assigned to stations near them to hear for themselves the nuts and bolts of what goes on to validate what is told to them from Recruiters. Yes. Validate. This was always my goal, whether they enlisted or not. Why? Because chances were very good that I would be stationed at one time or another with some that I enlisted, and I'm damned picky about whom I will entrust my life to.
I, of course have been retired from the Coast Guard for 14 years. However, my daughter has been in for 13 years and has served with several younger members that I was stationed with. She will soon be promoted to Chief and is currently serving in the middle east.
This is not the life for most. But, I loved it - well, not the cold, wet, tired and miserably sea sick part
I would not have changed a bit of it.
8/30/2011 3:17:36 PM
Originally Posted By Ret_Puddle_Pirate:
It's a shame that there are no CG stations in Nevada.
I always encouraged those interested in this career to talk with the folks assigned to stations near them to hear for themselves the nuts and bolts of what goes on to validate what is told to them from Recruiters. Yes. Validate. This was always my goal, whether they enlisted or not. Why? Because chances were very good that I would be stationed at one time or another with some that I enlisted, and I'm damned picky about whom I will entrust my life to.
I, of course have been retired from the Coast Guard for 14 years. However, my daughter has been in for 13 years and has served with several younger members that I was stationed with. She will soon be promoted to Chief and is currently serving in the middle east.
This is not the life for most. But, I loved it - well, not the cold, wet, tired and miserably sea sick part I would not have changed a bit of it.
It's a shame that there are no CG stations in Nevada.
I always encouraged those interested in this career to talk with the folks assigned to stations near them to hear for themselves the nuts and bolts of what goes on to validate what is told to them from Recruiters. Yes. Validate. This was always my goal, whether they enlisted or not. Why? Because chances were very good that I would be stationed at one time or another with some that I enlisted, and I'm damned picky about whom I will entrust my life to.
I, of course have been retired from the Coast Guard for 14 years. However, my daughter has been in for 13 years and has served with several younger members that I was stationed with. She will soon be promoted to Chief and is currently serving in the middle east.
This is not the life for most. But, I loved it - well, not the cold, wet, tired and miserably sea sick part
I would not have changed a bit of it. When I was a kid, there were Coast Guard people at Lake Mead.
8/30/2011 3:18:55 PM
Sorry Dupe.
8/30/2011 3:29:28 PM
Whichever branch he goes to, do not let him be suckered into going in as undesignated. Any rate is better than no rate (except Boatswain's Mate, same shit as undesignated).
8/30/2011 5:12:18 PM
Originally Posted By TXGunnersM8:
Whichever branch he goes to, do not let him be suckered into going in as undesignated. Any rate is better than no rate (except Boatswain's Mate, same shit as undesignated).
Whichever branch he goes to, do not let him be suckered into going in as undesignated. Any rate is better than no rate (except Boatswain's Mate, same shit as undesignated).
What is "undesignated"? Sorry, never was in the military so I have no idea of the terminology.....
8/30/2011 5:51:51 PM
Originally Posted By Wolfpack:
What is "undesignated"? Sorry, never was in the military so I have no idea of the terminology.....
Originally Posted By TXGunnersM8:
Whichever branch he goes to, do not let him be suckered into going in as undesignated. Any rate is better than no rate (except Boatswain's Mate, same shit as undesignated).
Whichever branch he goes to, do not let him be suckered into going in as undesignated. Any rate is better than no rate (except Boatswain's Mate, same shit as undesignated).
What is "undesignated"? Sorry, never was in the military so I have no idea of the terminology.....
Undesignated means to enter without a guaranteed school on enlistment.
I would tend to disagree in this one instance.
Those not very familiar with the Coast Guard tend to think that what works in the larger services should apply equally as well for the Coast Guard. It does not.
An example. In my daughters rate (MK) - Machinery technician. They work on everything from gas powered turbines, to diesels, outboards, pumps, hydraulic systems, refrigeration systems - the whole works.
Navy ratings are more specialized.
I have always been an advocate for getting your feet wet first, figure out what you want to do - and go after it. While you may qualify and enlist with a guaranteed school, what happens when you find out that your designated rating is not what you imagined to to be?
Everyone is going to mess cook, paint, clean.
Anyone who tells you that the "Needs of the Service" does not come first is a bold faced liar.
Edit 1: The fundamentals of the service do not change. My daughter went to school. I struck my rating - as I chose it. I chose to pursue, in addition to my rating, the law enforcement aspect. It greatly assisted me in my second career - as an LEO of 14 years.
8/30/2011 5:55:20 PM
Originally Posted By Guarocuya:
Are you sure that your son scored such a low score? Is he not applying himself? Is he bad at taking tests?
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
There are inexpensive study guides with practice tests that can be purchased. Fifty hours of diligent study could improve his score by 25%.
But, to answer your question, with the coming RIF, I would say USCG. It is a smaller force, but not likely to be as cut as much as the Navy. He could do 4 years in the USCG, and when the USN is done cutting (too much), they would be glad to take him 4-5 years from now.
That's the pattern. They cut too much, a generation of angry ex-servicemen are sent home to tell their kid brothers, younger cousins, etc., about going from rapid deployment to unemployment, the economy finally picks up, nobody wants to join, and just as the last RIF victims are getting their separation checks.....there is another shortage of recruits, and they start offering enlistment bonuses and start taking prior service troops.
Are you sure that your son scored such a low score? Is he not applying himself? Is he bad at taking tests?
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
There are inexpensive study guides with practice tests that can be purchased. Fifty hours of diligent study could improve his score by 25%.
But, to answer your question, with the coming RIF, I would say USCG. It is a smaller force, but not likely to be as cut as much as the Navy. He could do 4 years in the USCG, and when the USN is done cutting (too much), they would be glad to take him 4-5 years from now.
That's the pattern. They cut too much, a generation of angry ex-servicemen are sent home to tell their kid brothers, younger cousins, etc., about going from rapid deployment to unemployment, the economy finally picks up, nobody wants to join, and just as the last RIF victims are getting their separation checks.....there is another shortage of recruits, and they start offering enlistment bonuses and start taking prior service troops.
Huh? the highest overall score you can get is 99% meaning he did better than 99% of the people who took the test as he cannot be better than himself. Now if you are talking about line scores thats a different subject. I think the OP was referring to his Overall score.
Now how he scored a 60 on the Navy one and 30 something on the Army one doesnt make sense unless he studied between the tests because the practice tests and the ASVAB is the same no matter which branch you are taking it for. The Army recruiter must be lazy Ive never heard of a recruiter not let a potential recruit retake the test, I think there is like a 30 to 60 day wait in which you have to wait to retake it but sounds to me like a lazy recruiter.
8/30/2011 6:37:04 PM
Originally Posted By ElPresidenteAnRK:
Huh? the highest overall score you can get is 99% meaning he did better than 99% of the people who took the test as he cannot be better than himself. Now if you are talking about line scores thats a different subject. I think the OP was referring to his Overall score.
Now how he scored a 60 on the Navy one and 30 something on the Army one doesnt make sense unless he studied between the tests because the practice tests and the ASVAB is the same no matter which branch you are taking it for. The Army recruiter must be lazy Ive never heard of a recruiter not let a potential recruit retake the test, I think there is like a 30 to 60 day wait in which you have to wait to retake it but sounds to me like a lazy recruiter.
Huh? the highest overall score you can get is 99% meaning he did better than 99% of the people who took the test as he cannot be better than himself. Now if you are talking about line scores thats a different subject. I think the OP was referring to his Overall score.
Now how he scored a 60 on the Navy one and 30 something on the Army one doesnt make sense unless he studied between the tests because the practice tests and the ASVAB is the same no matter which branch you are taking it for. The Army recruiter must be lazy Ive never heard of a recruiter not let a potential recruit retake the test, I think there is like a 30 to 60 day wait in which you have to wait to retake it but sounds to me like a lazy recruiter.
To clarify he got a 44 on the one he took in highschool without studying at all....he took a practice one with the Navy and got a 60 but he has studied his butt off for a while now. The Army recruiter has turned him down repeatedly when he asks to retake it....the Navy won't accept anyone under a 50 so he has to retake it for them and that guy is saying it is no big deal to retake it....
8/30/2011 7:10:19 PM
In the coast guard I was able to make e6 in 4 years as a Boatswains mate. Officer of the deck and conn on a 420' ship as a first. The USCG gives its junior personnel a lot of responsibility as compared to other services. A BM3 can be a federal law enforcement officer conducting le as the senior member of a team. The USCG has been an awesome job.
8/30/2011 7:47:24 PM
Originally Posted By Guarocuya:
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
I think a score of 33 is what we used to call "Category IV" , either a Cat IV-a or a Cat IV-b. Scores in the 80's got recruits steered toward cook and gun tube artillery. OCS or Special Forces? 110 or 115 at the minumum.
This is somewhat incorrect as you are referring to two spearate "scores"
The overall ASVAB scores run from 1-99. Anyone that scores 32 or lower is considered a CAT IV. With very few exceptions they will not be enlisted. At least that is how it was in my day.
33-49 was considered a "bravo" while 50 and above was considered an "alpha" (it may be 33-50 and 51 and above I dont remember exactly).
The services try to maintain a split between the 2 obviously with preference to a higher percentage of "alphas". Just a way of saying we enlist "smarter" kids nowadays. Bonuses and stuff like that are geared towards the alphas.
The other score you are talking about is the GT score. This is a composite based off of several categories on the test such as math, etc... Supposed to be your overall ability to learn something new (or something to that effect). The lower the GT score the less technical the job they qualify for.
8/30/2011 9:51:02 PM
Originally Posted By Wolfpack:
To clarify he got a 44 on the one he took in highschool without studying at all....he took a practice one with the Navy and got a 60 but he has studied his butt off for a while now. The Army recruiter has turned him down repeatedly when he asks to retake it....the Navy won't accept anyone under a 50 so he has to retake it for them and that guy is saying it is no big deal to retake it....
Originally Posted By ElPresidenteAnRK:
Huh? the highest overall score you can get is 99% meaning he did better than 99% of the people who took the test as he cannot be better than himself. Now if you are talking about line scores thats a different subject. I think the OP was referring to his Overall score.
Now how he scored a 60 on the Navy one and 30 something on the Army one doesnt make sense unless he studied between the tests because the practice tests and the ASVAB is the same no matter which branch you are taking it for. The Army recruiter must be lazy Ive never heard of a recruiter not let a potential recruit retake the test, I think there is like a 30 to 60 day wait in which you have to wait to retake it but sounds to me like a lazy recruiter.
Huh? the highest overall score you can get is 99% meaning he did better than 99% of the people who took the test as he cannot be better than himself. Now if you are talking about line scores thats a different subject. I think the OP was referring to his Overall score.
Now how he scored a 60 on the Navy one and 30 something on the Army one doesnt make sense unless he studied between the tests because the practice tests and the ASVAB is the same no matter which branch you are taking it for. The Army recruiter must be lazy Ive never heard of a recruiter not let a potential recruit retake the test, I think there is like a 30 to 60 day wait in which you have to wait to retake it but sounds to me like a lazy recruiter.
To clarify he got a 44 on the one he took in highschool without studying at all....he took a practice one with the Navy and got a 60 but he has studied his butt off for a while now. The Army recruiter has turned him down repeatedly when he asks to retake it....the Navy won't accept anyone under a 50 so he has to retake it for them and that guy is saying it is no big deal to retake it....
Hmm the minimum of 50 sounds fishy, I thought only the USAF required a 50 to join?
Navy
ASVAB Score - Navy recruits must score at least 35 on the AFQT. The Navy raised this requirement from 31 in 2003 for active duty accessions. Reserve enlistment programs still only require a score of 31.
Education - Like the Air Force, the Navy accepts very, very few recruits who don't have a high school diploma. To be considered for enlistment with a GED, you must score a minimum of 50 on the AFQT. You must also have no drug use, and at least three references from influential members of the community (police, fire, judge, teacher, ect.). Any police involvement, other than minor traffic offenses will also disqualify a GED applicant
Quoted from http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/asvabminimum.htm If you check out this site it helped me a lot when I was doing my enlistment process for the Marines.
8/31/2011 8:50:37 AM
With the Air Force and Navy cutting back, they can afford to be more selective by mandating a minimum score of 50. I imagine towards the end of the month if they are hurting then you could get in with less than a 50.
Hell, when I was on the street I saw the Army enlist kids with a 27.
Hell, when I was on the street I saw the Army enlist kids with a 27.
8/31/2011 7:29:57 PM
Good luck on your sons ASVAB. I'm on my 23rd year in the CG and my daughter is going on her third. She pinned on E-5 June first and we are very proud of her.
I'd do it all over again if I could. (they'll be dragging me out the door at 30 years)
I'd do it all over again if I could. (they'll be dragging me out the door at 30 years)
9/1/2011 2:19:14 AM
So, Wolfpack? Has your son told you what his goals are? What does he want to do?
Where does he think he will fit in. Air, sub, surface?
Where does he think he will fit in. Air, sub, surface?
9/2/2011 6:42:38 PM
Go Aviation, its technical and he wont have to MEss, cook or clean past A school. lots of civilian jobs on the outside and lets face it jets are cool as fuck. I love flying for the Navy, been doing it for 10 years now.
9/6/2011 11:32:06 AM
I'd steer people to the coast guard for a couple reasons- since they are still technically a armed service but also considered part of dhs (homeland security)if you get out at some point you have fed le experience which should halp with civilian job applications. there are opportunities for overseas deployments but nearly all duty assignments are in the US other wise. small service which as menitoned above gives its junior members a lot of responsibility
