Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Howell,

I am currently finishing my junior year in high school, and have my sights
pretty strongly set on attending the Coast Guard Academy in New London. I
was wondering, what is the jrotc? I know its for high school students but not
much more on it. Also, would becoming evolved improve my chances at admission?

ANSWER: Matt,
While there are over 1,000 Army and Air Force Junior ROTC units in high schools across the country, there's only one Coast Guard JROTC unit in the country.  It is located at the MAST Academy in Miami, Florida.  MAST stands for Marine and Science and Technology High School.  Subjects offered in the JROTC course are all related to Coast Guard traditions.  JROTC is considered an alternative to physical education. The course length is four years, from the ninth to the twelfth grade.

Unless you live in Miami, you'd be better off looking for a college or university that offers the Coast Guard's version of  ROTC, which is known as the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) program.  CSPI provides full payment of school tuition, fees, textbooks, salary, medical insurance, and other benefits during a student's junior and senior year of college. The CSPI program's goal is to train future officers for success and prepare them for the rigors of Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Unlike the other service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.  Still, the competition is fierce and each year, the Academy admits about 300 cadets from thousands of applicants.  Tuition, room, and board at the Coast Guard Academy are completely paid, and in exchange a graduate makes a five-year commitment to serve as a commissioned Coast Guard officer

Good luck in whatever you choose,  and thanks for wanting to serve your country in uniform.
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply Colonel.

I had one final question. I am very interested in becoming involved in the Coast Guards aviation program, but know how competitive that is. Do you belive that I would be more likely to get into this program if I went through the Academy, or is there no advantage to this over other ways of becoming an officer. For instance, I know there is some way to become involved after your softmore year of college, or after graduating.

Thanks for your insight!

Answer
Matt,
Being in the Junior ROTC does not really give you an advantage, but being in the CSPI definitely does.  You would need to apply for CSPI in your sophomore year of college.  First, you must make sure the college you're attending has the CSPI program available, because not all of them have it.

To find out the complete and most recent details you'll need to talk to a USCG recruiter for your area.  You can find one by going to:

http://www.gocoastguard.com/get-the-answers/find-a-recruiter

Good luck,
Colonel H