Getting a Pilot Slot With the Coast Guard

[Addison7087]

Hi all, I'm interested in trying to become a search and rescue pilot in the coast guard, but am having some difficulty figuring out what the best route to getting there is. I understand that getting a spot in flight school is extremely competitive and a lot of things have to fall into place to get one. That being said I want to make sure I set myself up for the best possible chance at acheiving my goal. I'm 22 and just graduated from SDSU with a BA in poli sci and a BA in communications. I took the ASVAB and Qualified for everything and was thinking about enlisting as an Avionics Electronics Technitian and using that to get an associates degree in an aviation feild. As I understand it, and my recruiter has explained to me, the associates degree in conjunction with my bachelors degree would make me eligible for the blue 21 flight initiative (OCS with Guaranteed flight school). I thought enlisting and gaining experience on rescue missions would not only help me stay on track to getting my associates but also might look favorable when my app is reviewed. I was wondering if this is the case, if im going about this the wrong way, and if anyone had any insight or advice as to what the best route would be to becoming a pilot in the coast guard is. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

-Addison-