Rossi Rifleman

Hello all. So some of you may know I was active duty Navy from 2005-2009 from which I separated as an AM2, that is, an Aviation Hydraulic and Structural Mechanic Second Class at the age of 23. Leaving was a bad choice, and one I regret, and one the Navy hasn't made easy to correct

Fast forward to today and I am now in the pipe to ship out in September for the Coast Guard where I will have to do an abbreviated 3 week basic training and then out to the fleet for 4+ months before I am able to request an A-School (pick my job essentially). Im hoping for Gunner's Mate, but we'll cross that bridge then

I am equal parts eager and apprehensive. Eager because I haven't adjusted well to civilian life. Ive been around the military all my life first as a Navy brat, and the thought of returning to the fraternity, to the community is one I relish. Im apprehensive because I cant help but feel its not the right service. The thought of wearing another uniform, or of not being able to wear that 'Dixie cup and cracker jacks' again is unsettling, of learning a new service song and relegating Anchors Aweigh! to just a memory, to reciting the Coast Guard Ethos and not my Sailor's Creed which I could spit out in my sleep, and on and on

I know the Coast Guard is the 'smart' choice as a 31 year old man with a wife and two children aged 9 and 6. Ive been in talks with a Prior-Service-Navy recruiter and its one of those might/maybe/perhaps/could-be thing to return to the blue-and-gold but I know I cant make that choice again. Ive a bird in the hand with the Coast Guard, and deploying for less time and being there for my kids is the right thing to do but I cannot lie and say theres a large part of me that knows that if I were single and without children id be back in a heartbeat. I dunno, Im rambling.

to get serious for a moment with you all if I may, to the wiser and experienced among you out there. how do you reconcile the two? How do you make the choice you know in your mind to be right but that causes you no end of heartache? How do you 'get there'? How do you become okay with the letting go of those hopes and aspirations of your youth and moving on?

GRV01 wrote:how do you reconcile the two? How do you make the choice you know in your mind to be right but that causes you no end of heartache? How do you 'get there'? How do you become okay with the letting go of those hopes and aspirations of your youth and moving on?

Wow, what a heartfelt post and question. I think you have answered your question as your wife and children must come first. You become okay with it because it is the right thing to do. Many men nowadays seem to loose sight of that. Hell, I'd salute you whether you wear a uniform or not as you are standing tall in my eyes!

I'm a US Army guy and very proud of my service. I'm proud of the fact that I served when it was unpopular to go and that I went without being asked when many who were did everything they could to get out of going. That said, the only other service I would have considered joining would have been the US Coast Guard. I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and have seen what they do and don't see this as a second choice. Who wouldn't want to be a part of this?

to get serious for a moment with you all if I may, to the wiser and experienced among you out there.

I don't know if I fit the "wiser and experienced" part of this but I do know that after near 63 years in the school of hard knocks that there is no doubt that the Lord works in mysterious ways. What if this is where you have been meant to be the whole time, and what if you are struggling now because you are not there? I'd say give this opportunity a chance, throw everything you have into this Service and give it with the joy of knowing that you are making a difference.

I'm not as old and nearly not as wise as many here but what I do know is you can't ask anybody but yourself what is right for you. Of course your wife is number one on the list of priorities and her opinion matters but it's your choice.

Out of High School I had some quick learning life experiences that changed my path from scholarship engineering student to working in a car dealer. I stayed with that never returning to school. I have a good job but obviously life is different. Would I still be married and have my four kids if I stayed in school and went who knows where to work for my sponser (Motorola)?

Who knows. I'm happy.

Don't look back.

My personal experience, I put God and family first, then everything else falls into place.
I was in Airborne Infantry, stationed at FT Bragg, from 1980 to 1984.
Was in Grenada Invasion in 1983 as a Rifle squad leader.
They gave me a long Christmas leave when I got back From Grenada in November/December 1983.
While home I was talking with some Veterans Officers in Downtown Columbus Ohio.
They asked me if I was interested in a position as a Deputy U.S. Marshall, and began arranging a lunch meeting with a young congressman named John Kasich.
then they told me about the job, I would not have a home to speak of.
I would be living out of a carry on suitcase, traveling around the world, doing Federal Prisoner escort.
As much as I wanted to be a U.S. Deputy Marshall, I had to turn it down.
I knew i had to chose between starting a family or staying in the military or Government position that required lots of travel.
I got a 9 to 5 job and went to school at night.
After years of schooling, saving my money, staying home with my family, I made the right decision.
I have friends that started there own businesses, making good money but working all the time.
So I asked them, any regrets, they said if they had to do it over again they would get a job working 9 to 5 and spend more time with family, because children grow so fast, and when you miss that time, you dont get it back.
But this is a personal decision and this is just my experience.
But when doing whats best for the wife and children, you cant go wrong, God will bless that decision.

I thank you all for your service,and to that note. Sir look into the mirror. As a drill Sargent would yell what do you see yourself as! You must be able to see it in your future if you cannot visualize it. Then coast guard may not fit. I know a few retired navy that wanted to get active again but refused to be puddle pirates I'm near great lakes. I know 2 that did join coast guard and love it. You only need to be able to see it in your future to know it's right. If you cannot see the pot of gold through that door then close it and bang on other doors until. The gold (your happiness and we'll being) is obvious in that path.

I think if you liked the navy your gonna like the C.G. just as much.
it might be slightly different.... but it might also be the better fit to you and your personality.
I have switched company's and kept the same job [3 times] and have liked working for one set of structure better than the other.
but it wasn't like I hated any of them I just found a different way to do things my way each time.
I put in the effort, done the right things, kept my head down, and things just come around.

you have a leg up on the other guy's just joining up, you have a pretty good idea of what and when to do things to make a smoother transition.

I have to agree with RD, go for it !

The CG today is a far cry from what it was during my tour, 1952 / 1956 and
the opportunities more varied. It was than a fast rising rating wise and I
believe it still is. With your background I can't imagine you not succeeding.

Semper Paratus.

Jim. EM2, Ninth Coast Guard Distict
Buoy Tender
Lifeboat Station
Lighthouse

Life is sorta short to dwell upon regrets. That's looking backward, when your path is out front. If you prefer the military career, short or long, over pounding it out as a civvie, and you have a good opportunity before you, then take the path. There is some uncertainty in any life path, so it's all an adventure. Sounds like a good move being handed to you - and you are on the water again. I say, embrace it, and look to a new outcome.

Buddy of mine has a BIL who recently retired after 30 in the CG.
He loved it.

Life can be a fruitful journey if each step is made with moral and noble considerations. In hindsight, those life choices that many would call mistakes are better thought of as just ruling out possibilities.

Go for it.



jd