coast guard

[yellowtailslyer]

Any one on here go into the coast guard, i thought i had talked to someone at cp about it. Ive been wanting to go to UTI for schooling in diesel mechanics and i know that the armed forces offer the gi bill. i was thinking of the reserves so i can go to school and they would pay for it. if anyone could give me some info or personal insight on this that would be greatly appreciated. if you were in i would love to know if you liked/dislike it or how you went about getting in.

thanks, bryant

[El Cazador]

Look into the California Maritime Academy. They offer Marine Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering degrees. There are a few Military programs that assist with tuition including the CG.

http://www.csum.edu/web/admissions/military-options

[yeskaa]

Originally Posted by yellowtailslyer

how you went about getting in.

thanks, bryant

has things changed ? you go to recruiting office and tell them you want to join or information . theyll check you out let you know whats up

[Atlantean]

Originally Posted by yeskaa

has things changed ? you go to recruiting office and tell them you want to join or information . theyll check you out let you know whats up

Actually this is pretty accurate. You don't have to sign $hit. Just go and ask questions. Don't be intimidated because they are professional and in uniform. They are just doing their jobs. They are used to guys going in a asking.

You should. Ask about every detail you can. One thing though. Reserves has a different recruiting office than active usually. Find a reserve office if there is one.

Right now the GI bill is awesome. The new one. They pay you E-5 pay plus some housing allowance I think while they also give you money for school and books if you are going full time. You MUST be getting college credits from an accredited school though. Trade schools don't do that often. You need to check into that or the GI bill won't help you.

ALSO......SEE THIS>>>

Many / Most of the services now (currently) pay 100% of school and books while you are serving. Due to the wars going on etc...you can go to school for FREE possibly and THEN save the GI bill for when you get out. Could pay for your masters degree etc...

Find a recruiter. Talk. Ask every question you can think of. You would do yourself a disservice not to. Many of us have experience and can answer many of your questions, however, the recruiters are the ones who know all the current programs going on.

IF you end up going in, DO NOT ... DO NOT go in on a general contract. Get a guaranteed job (specialty). Otherwise you may end up cutting lawns or manning a gate somewhere.

-My advice

[yeskaa]

if you cant think of much questions right now. just go in and here their pitch. then you can go home think it over. they give you broshers and stuff to look over,. you may think of something later you want to ask about. you dont have to join jimmy on the spot.

just my opinion but you should have the mind set your the commodity and they be lucky to have you not the other way.

[FishNFool]

I tried to join the Coasties this last year ...turns out im too old....im 29 and I was 28 when I tried to join...apparently the cut off is 27, unless i wanted to be a cook....LOL ya right.

I woulda tried to retire thru them too.

[byronq]

There are a few coast guard members here, PM sent.

[Lightfoot]

FYI, everyone that I have ever talked to that has gone to UTI has said it was a complete waste of money. I've been a dealer mechanic for over 10 years and went through an appreticeship program at a community college. The cost was minimal and I was in the field right away. The diesel programs may be different but this is what I have experienced. If I were you, I would talk to guys at the shops you would hope to be working at and get your info from them. Don't assume that UTI is necessary for getting a good job. The heavy equipment opperators unions also offer apprenticeship programs for mechanics that are incredible, but some prior mechanic experience may be needed. The military sounds like a great way to get the hands on experience that could get your foot in the door somewhere. Good luck.

[Atlantean]

Originally Posted by FishNFoe

I tried to join the Coasties this last year ...turns out im too old....im 29 and I was 28 when I tried to join...apparently the cut off is 27, unless i wanted to be a cook....LOL ya right.

I woulda tried to retire thru them too.

This is interesting. There are waivers for age etc... you should ask about that.
Sometimes there are ways around it. You may also inquire about the officer or ROTC programs. They are different and have different rules. Since you were thinking retirement I would try those angles also. Officer programs have different recruiters and different rules. ROTC also.

[Bob Ballew]

Whichever route you take, beware of private schools offering government backed loans to pay tuition...they shove them at you, knowing you will exit owing a lot of money you may not be able to pay back...there is no escape from paying the gov back..even bankruptcy cannot erase the loan debt..suggest going into some certified dealer locations such as Catapillar?, Cummins or John Deere and ask their advice on how to become a certified factory trained mechanic or engineer...later perhaps, add a few junior college business classes to it, and you would be good to go...

[divefilm]

LA Trade Tech has a fantastic Diesel Tech program. From what I hear.

[kelpsniper]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

FYI, everyone that I have ever talked to that has gone to UTI has said it was a complete waste of money. I've been a dealer mechanic for over 10 years and went through an appreticeship program at a community college. The cost was minimal and I was in the field right away. The diesel programs may be different but this is what I have experienced. If I were you, I would talk to guys at the shops you would hope to be working at and get your info from them. Don't assume that UTI is necessary for getting a good job. The heavy equipment opperators unions also offer apprenticeship programs for mechanics that are incredible, but some prior mechanic experience may be needed. The military sounds like a great way to get the hands on experience that could get your foot in the door somewhere. Good luck.

UTI is a waste of time and money go with the college......save your money...

[Calif_Diver]

Operating Engineers has an diesel mechanic/heavy equipment apprenticship program that is very good,and you get paid while you train,there is usully a long waiting period to get in the apprenticship program,12 to 18 months is what i have heard,unless you can get a construction company to sponser you right away. I think in So Cal its Operating Engineers Local 12.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by Calif_Diver

Operating Engineers has an diesel mechanic/heavy equipment apprenticship program that is very good,and you get paid while you train,there is usully a long waiting period to get in the apprenticship program,12 to 18 months is what i have heard,unless you can get a construction company to sponser you right away. I think in So Cal its Operating Engineers Local 12.

Bingo. This is it. When I checked into it a few years ago it was something like $18 per hour plus the benefits package for the two years of apprenticeship, then it went up considerably from there. I could have done it, I just couldn't afford the pay cut to start out with. If you're serious, hit up every diesel company, construction company, etc., that you can find and get a sponsor.

[Calif_Diver]

I think that Diesel mechanic apprentise is more like 4 years or a certain amount of hours on the job and your school work,journeymen earn around $45 per/hr plus benifit package.