Coast Guard / Navy SEALs

[c/MSgt Dieppa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSaTttT7oQ


The Navy SEALs and the coast guard are now going to be working together.
:MP5:
I think its a great idea but what is everyone elses views on this?

[SlightlyCatholic]

I don't see an issue with it as long as the leadership hierarchy is streamlined. I imagine things could get bogged up if there are complications as to who is actually in charge. The Navy and the CG will have to work out who is exactly in charge of those Coast Guard personnel who choose to go the Naval Special Warfare community.

[PaulR]

The Coast Guard members will be under the control of the Navy while assigned to Spec Op duties.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Here's a good read on the new program:

2 enlisted, 2 officers a year will train as elite commandos
By Amy McCullough - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Aug 12, 2008 6:31:26 EDT

For the first time in the Navy SEALs’ 46-year history, Coast Guardsmen will be allowed to try out for the elite team of special operators.
Coast Guardsmen who make it through the nearly two years of physically and mentally daunting training will be assigned to a SEAL team for five to seven years, although they still officially will be part of the Coast Guard.
But before the SEAL training begins, hopefuls first have to make it through the Coast Guard’s screening process — the service plans to send only four people to the training each year.
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen announced the new program July 31 in a servicewide message.
Those who successfully complete the SEAL training and service commitment are not required to return to the Coast Guard after their assignment is up, but Allen said that is the goal.
“It would bring a tremendous amount of expertise and knowledge [to the Coast Guard], and that would really improve our program,” Allen said. “It really was a win-win for us and the Navy special ops, because they will now have a broader group to draw on.”
Men under the age of 29 may be considered for the program, but they first must meet all the SEALs’ stringent standards. Rear Adm. Tom Atkin, commander of the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group, said Naval Special Warfare Command will be part of the internal solicitation process intended to find the right candidates with the best chance of success. Once the packages are reviewed, Atkin said, the candidates will have to complete a physical fitness test and a medical screening before being selected. It is unlikely any Coast Guardsmen will start training before February, he said.
The Coast Guard expects to send two officers and two enlisted members through the training annually.
Assuming four Coast Guardsmen successfully complete the training each year for seven years, Atkin said there eventually will be 28 Coast Guardsmen highly trained in special operations who can return to leadership positions within the Coast Guard. Historically, fewer than half of those who enter the program become SEALs.
There are about 2,300 SEALs, but the Navy hopes to expand the program to about 2,800 in the next three to four years, Naval Special Warfare Command spokesman Lt. Nathan Potter said.
Since SEALs training is one of the world’s toughest regimens, some may wonder why anyone interested in being part of that team would first join the Coast Guard.
Atkin said a lot of Coast Guardsmen have expressed interest in being a part of both worlds. And though it could be assumed most candidates will come from the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmer program, the most physically challenging in the service, Atkin said the response has come from all across the service.
“It’s not always about what the Coast Guard can get out of it, it’s about what the Coast Guard can do to help the nation,” Atkin said. “It’s a long-term partnership. We still have a lot of stuff to work out, but we have time.”
Potter said the arrangement is the result of the sea services’ National Maritime Strategy, written in part to enhance the teamwork of the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
“They are maritime. They are sailors, too, so I don’t think there is going to be any problem integrating,” Potter said.
Retired Rear Adm. George Worthington, a former commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, said this will be the first time another service will be allowed to train with the SEALs.
“Shoulders are up, from the top down,” Worthington said in a message to Navy Times, adding he doesn’t anticipate any integration problems, noting that some foreign nationals have gone through the training.
At this point, Coast Guardsmen are not eligible to become special warfare combatant-craft crewmen, the sailors who operate boats that transport SEALs, although, Atkin said, “we are working on it.”
“Our engagement with the SEALs is huge, but the Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps partnership, as outlined in the maritime strategy, is really the direction we are going here,” he said.

© 2008, Army Times Publishing Company

http://www.uscg.mil/cgpc/epm/docs/NavyTimesArticle.pdf

[Drill for life]

Man I loved reading that, and was wondereing why this wasn't done before.

[PaulR]

Because there was not a need before. Our mission has changed a lot since becoming a part of the Department of Homeland Security!

[SlightlyCatholic]

I find it interesting that the Coast Guard was initially set up to guard the coasts of the U.S. and now they're going to be pounding the coasts of other nations. It's not a bad thing, but it is interesting how the role of the CG has changed.

[PaulR]

I find it interesting that the Coast Guard was initially set up to guard the coasts of the U.S. and now they're going to be pounding the coasts of other nations. It's not a bad thing, but it is interesting how the role of the CG has changed.

We have always had a combatant role. We have been involved in every foriegn fought war since the "Quasi War" with the French in the 18th century. Our Medal of Honor winner was killed supporting Marines with close support Machinegun fire during the landings at Guadalcanal. We had the highest casualty ratio per member during WW1. The Coast Guard performed river patrols during Viet Nam and Iraqi Freedom(as well as port and asset security in these countries).

Yes... we might often get overlooked but we are always there!

[SlightlyCatholic]

We had the highest casualty ratio per member during WW1.

That's very interesting, I never knew that. I wasn't trying to diminish the importance of the Coast Guard, I guess I've just always seen them as a domestic force. I guess I need to dust off the military history books!

[army_grunt_11B]

Same here, I wonder if the CG will step up recruiting efforts after this, in KC MEPS out of 10 days I have been there, I have yet to see any CG applicants.

[PaulR]

For some reason, we are always over strength. Heck... recruiters dont even visit the schools. From what I am told, 99% of the recruits walk in from the street or are forwarded to the regional offices by the recruiting website. It has always been like this.

The SEAL Candidates are E5 and higher, volunteers from within. The first seven to go through the program already have their orders. There are four(or five) enlisted and a couple of O3's.

[Drill for life]

The Coast Guard is like The Marine Corps in a way the Recruiters I have spoken to are very defensive(Like a Dog and a Bone)Both Branches recruiters speak of the Branch like"Why do oyu want to join my Marine Corps/Coast Guard" It may seem easy to some people but what I have heard The Coast Guard is one of the most if not the most Challengeing and Demanding of the five Armed Forces in the U.S. They do have a reputation to keep and uphold.

[SlightlyCatholic]

The Coast Guard is like The Marine Corps in a way the Recruiters I have spoken to are very defensive(Like a Dog and a Bone)

Have you spoken to enough recruiters of both services to make that kind of sweeping judgment about such a large group of people? Just because one recruiter might be defensive doesn't make the entire Coast Guard (or Marine Corps) recruiting force like that. Try not to base sweeping assumptions off of particulars, it usually only causes trouble.

[army_grunt_11B]

I can't speak for the Coast Guard, as well, I have yet, to even meet some one from the Coast Guard, let alone an CG recruiter, But I can say for the Marine Corps, at least here in KS. They are all pretty defensive about people joining, although here lately, I have seen more and more MC recruiters coming and going to work in soft sell (Civi Cloths, most of the time they don't even have anything on them that says MC) but thats time changing for you, most people who are "Old Timers" joined for the uniform, but todays kids, are differnt, so they have had to change thier ways,the MC recruiters at least in the 3 offices here in town, have backed away from being hard chargers, and by that I mean, they aren't at schools, heck at my old high school, the first time a MC recruiter showed up at the school was to proctor the ASVAB being given, and when he found out there were only 40 students, and there was already 2 Army National Guard recruiters there, he stayed for a little bit, shot the sh*t with my Boss and me, then left. *

*Before I get jumped on by any Marines on here about how Soft Sell isn't the uniform they are supposed to be in, and I am in the wrong, or anything like that. My office, and the Marine Corp office are in the same building litterally right next to each other, heck Im looking at a Marine right now who is in Civi cloths talking with an applicant, and they are like that every day, at least for the time I have been here, which is a little over two weeks, Although on Monday, they are in the Uniform, which I appologize for not knowing the name of, with the Tan shirt, and Blue Trousers, and they always change out of after uniform inspection during lunch.

[Drill for life]

Yes thats Delta,s(Bravos with Dress BLue trousers) You are right though I have seen my Recruiters and the recruiters at my local MCRSS(Marine Corps Recruiting Sub-Station) in uniforms rarely, I see them in Civi's alot. When they go anywher though they are always in a Service uniform.

[army_grunt_11B]

Our's aren't, unless they are changing in the G ride when they are on the way to someplace, even when I am at MEPS, the only Marines I have seen in uniform are the ones who work there.

[Armed Drill Addict]

That's interesting beacsue the recruiters in my area are all in uniform unless we are out doing P.T., and they visit the local schools quite frequently. I also talked with a fellow poolee of mine who had considered joining the Coast Guard and he said that he had to call them four times just to get a meeting with a recruiter, and that for the entire state of Louisiana there is only one Coast Guard recruting station.

[Drill for life]

Wow only one, it must be hard to meet the recruiting numbers. My Marine Recruiters wear uniforms every weekday but not on the weeekends they wear civ's then. They never wear MCCU's unlse they go to something outside.

[PaulR]

Wow only one, it must be hard to meet the recruiting numbers.

Actually it is quite the opposite. The recruiters had to boost the minimum ASVAB scores to keep the number of applicants down a little. That is why there is not a need for many recruiters. There is one recruiting office for the entire state of Maine as well...

Getting back to Minimum ASVABs fyi for you all who are getting ready to join:

40- Coast Guard
36- Air Force
32- Marine Corps
31- Navy
31- Army

[army_grunt_11B]

As of 20090101 to get into Army NG you need a min of 50 AFQT

[PaulR]

Which state? I thought that the requirements for the ARNG were the same as the regular Army.

I know that an AFQT of 50 is required to recruits of ANY branch if they apply with a GED instead of a full diploma.

[army_grunt_11B]

I know for sure its KS and MO. I didnt check to see if its other states. Ill check the memo tmw. I know its ks and mo because i work in ks. and i work with ppl in mo.