Expert: Rod Powers - 7/29/2006

Question
Mr. Powers,

I really appreciate the quick response to my question and have been reading all of your articles about life in the military.  As I look back, I really wish that I considered Annapolis a little more during Junior year of High School.  With that being said, I really think that the Coast Guard would be the right fit for me currently.  I have two followup questions if it is alright with you.

My first question is whether or not it is possible to transfer a commission from the Navy to the Coast Guard once your service is up.  For example, could I become commissioned in the Navy (because it is apparently less competitive than the Coastguard) and then after the 3-4 years are up, transfer with the same rank to the Coast Guard?

My second followup question is with regard to the time frame of applying for a commission in the Coast Guard.  Like I said earlier, I will be finishing up my Master's degree next year.  Because of that, I was planning on applying after I received the degree.  With hearing the acceptance rate, would you suggest to get started on the process (assuming that I would not get in the first few times I applied)or wait until I have the degree?  Just a little background, I graduated college with a little over a 3.8 and currently hold a 3.93 along with my MBA.  Will those relatively high GPA's make me competitive in the selection process or does the board not really take that into much consideration?

Once again, thank you for all of your time and patience with these questions!  
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Followup To

Question -
Mr. Powers,

I have a few questions regarding OCS.  I am currently working in the corporate world with a bachelor's degree and half way finished my Master's degree.  I am 24 years old and I have realized that stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are not the career that I am looking for.  I have been doing some research on the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard OCS.  I was wondering which have the most competitive selection process and which one is the most conducive to a family?  I do not have any children and I am not married, but I do foresee that in my future someday.  Based on my finance background, I would probably be most interested in some type of supply corp. career.

Thanks in advance for all of your advice!!

Blake Smith

Answer -
Hi Blake,

You may wish to read my article, "What the Recruiter Never Told You," at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm.

While primarily focussed on enlistment, it does contain information about which services are (in general) more "family orientaged," and such.

In general, the Air Force has the reputation of being more family orientated.  That's the good news. The bad news is that the Air Force and Coast Guard are the most competitive of services, whether you are enlisting, or seeking a commission.  In fact, the Air Force is getting ready to cut about 8,000 commissioned officer slots in the latter half of this year, and next year (see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/a/forceshaping07.htm.

As it stands right now, unless you are trying to become a pilot/navigator, and have an extremely high college GPA and an extremely high score on the Pilot/Navigator sections of the AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test), the chances of becomming an Air Force commissioned officer through AFOTS (The Air Force's version of OCS), are very slim, unless you have a "scientific" degree, such as physics, computer science, aerospace science, engineering, etc.

The Coast Guard is almost as competitive (if not more so).  Keep in mind that the Coast Guard is the smallest of the military services, and only commissions about 300 - 400 new commissioned officers per year, through their OCS program, yet they get about 7,000 applicants each year (you do the math).

The Navy also has more officer applicants than they are allowed to accept each year, but not to the extent of the Air Force and Coast Guard.  Having credits toward a graduate degree could really help, especially if your GPA is above 3.1 (or so).

However, the Navy is all about serving on ships, for almost every job.  That's why they exist.  That means (for most jobs), you'll spend about 3 out of every 6 years assigned to a ship.  During those three years, you'll likely go on several one week to one month training missions, followed by a sea deployment that can last between 6 months to 12 months.

At this time, the Army and Marine Corps are seeking the most new recruits, including new officer candidates.  However, of all the services (for both officer and enlisted), they have the highest deployment rates to combat areas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

One final point.  For any of the services, if you apply for OCS/OTS, you don't get a guarantee of job.  At most, you can give your preferences, but -- assuming you are accepted for OTS/OCS, the primary job assignment is made based on the "needs of the service."

The Army is currently running a test program which allows OCS graduates a guarantee of branch (job) or a guarantee of first duty assignment, in exchange for an additional three years of obligated active duty service (so, a total of 6 years of active duty for most officer jobs).  But, none of the other services are doing this, to my knowledge.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my military information website at:  http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


Answer
Hi Blake,

You won't be able to "transfer" a commission (this is only authorized under very limited circumstances, such as doctors and lawyers who have specific skills that the other service needs badly).

You would have to first entirely separate from the Navy, and then re-apply, through a Coast Guard Recruiter for a vacant commissioned officer slot for your rank, time-in-service, and particular job qualifications.

The chances of acceptance are slim.  Why?  Because those already in the Coast Guard in a particular rank and job get priority to stay in, vs. those from the outside, wishing to join as prior service members.  

The Coast Guard isn't having any problems, currently in maintaining their officer levels (everyone wants to stay in).  They get first option, so your chances of joining are slim, especially for a service like the Coast Guard, which doesn't have all that many commissioned officer slots in the first place.

The fact that you have an extremely high GPA and are working on an advanced degree is a bonus, for both the Navy and the Coast Guard.  You would be competing against others with a 3.0 to 3.4 GPA, with a bachelor's degree only.  This makes you very competitive for either service.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com