Any Coast Guard pilots here?

[ASpilot2be]

If so I curious how hard it is to get a pilot slot flying the C-130? I would love to serve my country, and the Coast Guard looks like a fun way to do it.

[E6BAV8R]

I actually thought about this as well but when I looked at the requirements I saw, from the university that you attend, there has to be a certain "enrolled racial difference" requirement by the Coast Guard to have the chance to be a pilot in the USCG, which my college doesn't seem to have - or from what I had percieved.

Any advice or ways around this? I'm also interested in this.

[deskjockey]

The majority of the Coast Guard pilots I've flown with or gone through training with were graduates of the USCG Academy and had done a prior 2 year tour on some kind of CG ship. They all seemed to be real happy with the Coast Guard - lots of good flying opportunities in helos, Falcons, and C-130's. I have a feeling the C-130's has the smallest group of planes and pilots though.

[CGFlyer]

I currently fly C-130s for the Coast Guard.

Aside from the Blue 21 program, pilot slots are not guaranteed before you attend OCS (officer candidate school). However, once you get accepted and attend OCS you can apply for flight school.

I don't have much info on the Blue 21 program but on the CG webpage they list all the requirements. I think you have to attend certain schools with demographic requirements and have some aviation experience etc.

As far as going the OCS route, they usually have about 5 or so pilot slots for the whole OCS class which ranges from 60-80 people. Out of those 60-80 folks there will be anywhere from 20-30 people who are competitive for a slot. Usually what makes you competitive for a slot is passing the medical and the ASTB test (Navy flight test).

For those folks that don't get selected right out of OCS you can always apply afterwards and 9 out 10 of those folks will eventually get picked up. Out of my class all the people that wanted flight school and were medically qual'd have subsequently been picked up.

As far as attending the Coast Guard Academy, until recently you had to go to a ship for a couple years after graduation. But now I think they are giving about 5 flight slots or so to Academy grads right after graduation.

One great thing about the CG is most of the pilots want to fly helos. So as a flight student when you check in for training they will ask you do you want to fly fixed or rotary wing? Thus you pretty much know right when you start which path you’re taking.

Hope this info helps,

FLY COAST GUARD!

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by CGFlyer

I currently fly C-130s for the Coast Guard.

Aside from the Blue 21 program, pilot slots are not guaranteed before you attend OCS (officer candidate school). However, once you get accepted and attend OCS you can apply for flight school.

I don't have much info on the Blue 21 program but on the CG webpage they list all the requirements. I think you have to attend certain schools with demographic requirements and have some aviation experience etc.

As far as going the OCS route, they usually have about 5 or so pilot slots for the whole OCS class which ranges from 60-80 people. Out of those 60-80 folks there will be anywhere from 20-30 people who are competitive for a slot. Usually what makes you competitive for a slot is passing the medical and the ASTB test (Navy flight test).

For those folks that don't get selected right out of OCS you can always apply afterwards and 9 out 10 of those folks will eventually get picked up. Out of my class all the people that wanted flight school and were medically qual'd have subsequently been picked up.

As far as attending the Coast Guard Academy, until recently you had to go to a ship for a couple years after graduation. But now I think they are giving about 5 flight slots or so to Academy grads right after graduation.

One great thing about the CG is most of the pilots want to fly helos. So as a flight student when you check in for training they will ask you do you want to fly fixed or rotary wing? Thus you pretty much know right when you start which path you’re taking.

Hope this info helps,

FLY COAST GUARD!

Welcome to JC!

Is the CG req for prior service transfers still 31? Because I'd transfer over to the CG in a heartbeat if they could waive that dang requirement.

[CGFlyer]

I think that they still have the 31 requirement for DCAs but don't quote me on that.

I'll have to ask some of the prior service guys if they offer waivers etc.

[ASpilot2be]

Welcome That dream kind of got thrown out the window due to the fact that I have metal pins in my feet .

[Greg_D]

On the rotary wing side of the house, about half of the CG's aviators are prior service. Most from the Army, followed by the Marine Corps. Fixed wing is pretty much CG Academy and OCS grads.