Herc130AV8R

What are the chances w/ over 10 yrs of service and J-model experience?? That will be my position in a couple yrs.

Hercdriver

Yes, the rank reduction would suck, but overall it is designed to help your promotion health in the long run.

The personnel folks would have the up to date answer on the 10 year deal. All they can say is no. I think it's that way so the CG can get a good amount of time out you since they are inheriting your retirement/benefit package once the 20 year mark is reached.

Deployments are almost strickly counter-narcotic type in South/Central America. However, I was over in SE Asia for a month following the Tsunami.

Every CG aviator does SAR. The mission just isn't as recognized in the fixed wing community because we're not yanking people out of the water in gale force winds and 60' seas. However, we all end up flying in some awefully crappy wx.

After 15.5 yrs I still concur that the CG is an outstanding organization. The fact that my wife and kids feel the same way after all the moves is another key indicator regarding the caliber of the service and it's people.

Falcon20

Obviously Hercdriver has much better knowlege about the 130 community in the Coast Guard than me being a Falcon guy. That being said with the purchase of the CASA there are going to be a lot of fixed wing billets showing up in the next few years. The estimate is that there is going to be a need for approximately 200 CASA duty pilots once the program is fully functional excluding Command and Control types. Right now there are only about 70 or so Falcon drivers that will be the initial pilots into the CASA. These numbers might seem small to other services but this is BIG growth for the Coast Guard.

Falcon20

As for deployments you can expect to remain in the Western Hemisphere for fixed wing aviation. There are exceptions but for the most part you are looking at the Carribean, Northern South America and Central America.

The missions are Counter Drug, Migrant Interdiction, and SAR. The worst location I've been to is GTMO. Other guys went to Columbia and said that it was scary and sucked because you were stuck on a military base for protection.

antares666

I put a package in for the 21 May 07 board. The process for the package was drawn out and annoying. If anyone is thinking about it start early, they basically want you to reproduce everything you have ever done in the military.

I have a couple of falcon pilots in my unit. They have nothing bad to say about the CG. My take was how many of your peers in the AF a fed up with something and get out early (as am I). You almost never here of a Coastie separating before retirement, something must be going right over there.

I was told that the CG is currently around 80 pilots undermanned and by 2011 expects to be 140 behind. Not sure how accurate these numbers are, but I was told by a CG O-6 that they are "critically manned" for fixed wing.

Anyways...Anxiously awaiting the decision board results. If anyone heres any news please post it.

Hercdriver

Good luck with your board. If you want fixed wing try to fight for the Herc transition, because it will keep you in the cockpit longer. The Falcon's are retiring sometime in the near future and the CASA's are not even close to being operational yet.

Falcon20

I would have to agree that with the numbers you posted at least being in the ballpark. "Critically manned" is a fair assessment since we are being told that no leave will be granted over the summer for the guys not PCS'ing. In Mobile and Miami I've heard that if a crew bags out or goes med down they might need the Command and Control types to stand the alert duty.

Granted this is hearsay but the fact that this is even being considered means that the critically manned statement is probably true.

Good luck with the board results and if I see it on the message board I'll try and post it here. But it usually takes about 6 weeks for the results to be released so you should hear by mid-July.

flybynuts

Double check with a recruiter but I was told that with over 10yrs commissioned service, you are no longer able to apply and there is an age limit above 34 years that will keep you out as well. I hear it is a great way of life when coming from the Marine Corps.

SittingDuck

Thanks to all for the good info!

What type of airframes do they favor in the DCA FW boards?

Does it help to have had a company command or is more focused on aviation duties?

I have a few more years active with the Army before I can apply. I have around 700 hours in the RC-12/C-12 and should get a shot at a citation or Dash 7 in the next year.

Hercdriver

I don't think the DCA boards favor any particular FW airframe, unless of course you already have experience in one of our FW aircraft. It's more a needs of the service issue.

Company command leadership would definitely be beneficial in a CG board.