Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/coast guard

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 1/5/2010


Question
I hear thats it's really hard to join the coast Guard b/c they have such high standards. So how hard is it going to be for me,  I was in the DEP for the Marine Corps and decided in the end that branch of service wasn't right for me. So do you think they'd even consider me since i was in the DEP for another branch?

Answer
Ashley,
You shouldn't have much of a problem if you present yourself well.  If you give the USCG a good reason for quitting the USMC they won't hold it against you.  You need a good reason.  One that I've seen work well in the past is, "I believe I'd be better at SAVING lives rather than TAKING lives.  I'm glad I realized it before it was too late."

It's hard to argue with logic because that's the USCG mission, saving lives.

Good luck Coastie.

Colonel Howell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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