Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have recently graduate with an Associate's degree in Computer Information Technology from Craven Community College, and plan to enroll at East Carolina University. However, I know that ECU doesn't have a minority population of 25%(about 23%) does this eliminates me from applying to this program?
Also, if I enlist in the USCG will I be forced to serve on active duty and go to school, or will I be given time to complete school and then serve?
Finally with my associate degree what rank would I be if I enlist?


ANSWER: Sean,
Since ECU doesn't have a CSPI program then you cannot apply.  If you enlist first, then yes, you will be forced to serve on active duty and go to school in your off-duty time (usually nights and weekends).
With an Associates Degree you may enlist as a Seaman (paygrade E-3, @ $1650 per month) instead of a Seaman Recruit (paygrade E-1, @ $1400 per month).
Colonel H

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

QUESTION: Thank you for clearing that up for me. ECU also has the option of completing my degree online so that would help out somewhat if I enlisted, but I heard that if your courses are online you receive less money for school from tuition assistance is this true?
Also, I have read some of your other reply's to questions, and I wanted to know is it really hard to go from enlisted to officer in the coast guard. Do you think I would be better off completing school first then applying for OCS.

ANSWER: Sean,
Yes, yes, and yes.

Yes, an on-line course receives less assistance $.  That's because it doesn't prove the dedication a person has to attend regular classroom classes.  Also, from your home computer you could actually have outside assistance with homework that you wouldn't normally have in a classroom.  (In other words, I could be sitting at your computer doing your homework.)

It is hard, but not impossible, to transition from enlisted.  In fact it's becoming more commonplace.  There's even a program for folks like you that aren't far away from a Bachelor's degree.  It's called Pre-Commissioning Program for Enlisted Personnel (PPEP).

Check it out at:
http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-fit/officer-opportunities/programs/pre-com

PPEP may be right up your alley.
Good luck,
Colonel H


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

QUESTION: Do you know of any sites where I can take a practice ASVAB test? Will it be hard scoring an 109 on the test?  What is the difference between tuition assistance and the G.I. Bill?

Thanks for all of your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer
Sean,
Why do you need 109 on the ASVAB?  That's very high, but possible.  A few years ago my commanding general had all his colonels take the ASVAB just to keep us in touch with what our young troops are experiencing nowadays.  I scored 110.  But you have to remember it's not a pass/fail test or a test that shows how smart you are.

It's sometimes called an aptitude test, but the real reason it's called a "battery" and not a "test" is because it's impossible to pass it or fail it.  It's not a test like you take in school where 70% is passing, etc.  It's just a group of questions arranged together that help an expert determine what kind of work you're most likely qualified for.  The ASVAB is the most widely used aptitude evaluation in the world. It is designed to ASVAB measure your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success.  The ASVAB provides you with career information for various occupations and is an indicator for success.   To find the jobs you qualify for, the military breaks down your ASVAB subtest scores into groups known as "qualification areas."

The ASVAB subtests are: General Science (GS); Arithmetic Reasoning (AR); Word Knowledge (WK); Paragraph Comprehension (PC); Numerical Operations (NO); Coding Speed (CS); Auto and Shop Information (AS); Mathematics Knowledge (MK); Mechanical Comprehension (MC); Electronics Information (EI); and Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension (VE).

What's the hardest subject on the ASVAB?  That depends on what is your weakness.  That's what the ASVAB is designed to show.  For example, if you scored very high in AS and MC and poorly in CS and NO, that's a good indication that you'd do better as a mechanic than you would as a computer programmer.  Everybody is good at something, the ASVAB just helps determine what it is you'll probably do best.  Nothing is more miserable than being stuck in a job that you can't do, or hate.  They don't want to make you a cop when you'd really be happier and more productive being a jet engine mechanic.  A higher resulting score just means you do indeed have some ability and the military would like to hire you.  If you actually ended up with a score of 12 or 15, it probably means you have no useful ability other than begging for change on a street corner.

So the bottom line is, don't fear the ASVAB.  There's no way you can really study for it. The ASVAB is multiple choice, with four possible answers to every question.  Here is a web site that lets you take a "practice" ASVAB so you can see what it's like and know what to expect:  http://www.military.com/ASVAB/0,,ASVAB_MOS.html

Good luck and thanks for considering the USCG.
Colonel H