u/Matt_S_Fox30

Is it true that a bachelors degree qualifies you for E-4 when enlisting? I’m currently between enlisting with the Coast Guard and going MST or Air Force and going Emergency Management (3E9X1)

Also curious about that AFSC and the kinds of training/opportunities it offers. I know MSTs include Federal On-Scene Response Coordinator as one of their quals as well as other ICS kind of stuff which I’m hoping to learn as I’m coming from a firefighting background

Recently been considering pursuing an MBA before service and came for some questions. I don’t really know much about how ROTC works other than hearing about people doing it in college, but I’ve already been to MEPS for the Coast guard (march 2026), taken the ASVAB (95), and passed background and security clearance checks.

So if anyone can share some basic information on benefits, applying, etc that would be great! Looking into UC Davis, UC San Diego, and Arizona State.

I’m especially curious about the difference between doing it as an MBA rather than undergrad. From what I can gather, it seems it’s possible but most people stretch the 2 year program into 3 by pursuing some kind of other certificate with their MBA? How and if that works is my main question

I was hoping to commission through OCS with the Coast Guard, but I need a civil waiver and they are currently not accepting waivers of any type for officer applicants.

I’m currently on a fire assignment so my ability to call recruiting offices is limited for about 10 more days, and I have some questions:

-Will my MEPS physical transfer over to an Air Force OTS application, or would I have to go to MEPS again?

-Is a civil waiver a possibility?

-How competitive is helicopter pilot trainee selection right now?

Side note, I’m also really interested in Emergency Management and have a lot of relevant professional experience, however online it says you need a degree in that field and mine is not in that field. Are there other similar officer positions that relate to this field?

I have a non-stem bachelors degree, 3.62 GPA, 95 AFQT and lots of leadership experience in mountain operations and fire.

Looking for some real perspective from people who have served here. Basically, I was hoping to commission with the USCG, but I need a civil waiver and they are not accepting any waivers for officer candidates currently. My recruiter, Yeoman, recruiter in charge have all confirmed that a waiver to enlist would be easy and then I can apply during or after my first tour.

Definitely frustrating bc I put together an awesome packet and crushed the interview but now I’m at an important decision point. So many people I know who have or are serving, including both of my parents, say that there is no way I should be enlisting with a college degree, my professional experience, and that I should look at other branches, like the Air Force or Navy.

It seems like a simple answer since my heart is really with the Coast Guard and its mission, but originally I was thinking about being a helicopter pilot (not the plan if I were to go Coast Guard) and I’m thinking I could try for that in the Navy or Air Force or Army.

But what I’m really looking for is some advice at this crossroads I’m on. I know that if I enlist in the CG, OCS is never guaranteed. Currently I’m a wildland firefighter and mountain operations team leader and recently I’ve been experiencing a lot of frustration in fire with being led by people who lack real leadership skills, emotional intelligence, etc. and that is my main concern about enlisting.

I’m considering getting my girlfriend one of the Byrna Non-lethal products for her birthday. Reason being is that we move a lot and that can get complicated with traditional methods. I also don’t think she’d be able to use a real one if she needed to.

Does anyone have any experience with these products? Is it a viable self-defense tool?

I’m getting conflicting information on how to adjust my W4 so I don’t have an absurdly large withholding.

I made about $13k gross, $9k net, until I quit my job and started wildland firefighting in May. Since then, I’ve made $5,600 gross, and $4,700 net.

BUT, my next check is going to be about $7,900 gross, and I’m told the UKG payroll software is going to tax me as if I make that much annually. One AI software is saying to put $4,400 under dependent or $15k for deductions, and then the other is saying to put $150k in deductions.

I don’t want to be way over-taxed and have to wait until next year to get that money back, but i definitely don’t want to owe a ton next year. Any experience or advice regarding this?

Alright so I officially got barred from commissioning over some bs so I’m going to enlist with the hopes of commissioning later in my career and am looking for any and all advice.

I’m thinking enlisting with guaranteed district Northwest, leaning that way over Northeast currently but one of those two, and waiting it out for MST. Long term, I’m hoping to commission and get into Response Incident and/or Emergency Management. I’ll be going in as an E3 and was a mountain operations supervisor in the ski industry and FFT2 for 4 years with a bachelors. Thinking about getting my EMT while in as a nonrate and then an MBA while in too.

Essentially any and all advice is helpful but really looking for internal insight on how I can achieve these goals. I’m leaning PNW btw because I am passionate about the outdoors, snowboarding, and have heard that there is great SAR and surf potential in this district as well as general CG presence

What role, if any, would or is the USCG playing in the Channel Islands wildfire? Asking bc I’m an officer applicant and FFT2. I imagine NPS is playing a big role too but would they be doing IC stuff? helo ops? Anything?