Coast Guard

[JB]

I was wondering what you LEOs think of the Coast Guard. Do you consider them "real cops" or do you give them some other enlightening name that hasen't been shared yet http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif??
Also, is Coast Guard experience a plus when applying to another agency?

Thanks!



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JB
Romans 13:1-5

[EV]

I had two friends that graduated H.S. with me, that enlisted in the C.G. One was stationed in Galveston,TX. and the other in southern FLA. Both said they had a great time and experience. Both worked L.E. on drug interdiction teams and collected FLOATERS.
The C.G. is a public safety agency under the US DOT, L.E., inspection, regulatory enforcement, fisheries enforcement, and pollution enforcement will help you out when applying for jobs. If applying for L.E. jobs, you should highlite any l.e. or regulatory work that you performed. C.G. time in service counts towards time served in other military branches, rank however, does not transfer easily. Other branches may bust you down to E-4.
As for calling the "toasty coasties" real cops.............I guess one could call them "real" cops pending their duty function.

[GDenman]

Having a son in the Coast Guard, I would like to consider them "real cops" but I still don't. They do perform law enforcement functions with some of those similar in nature but they do a lot of things we don't that is non-law enforcement & we do a lot of law enforcement things that they don't do. He was stationed on a patrol boat out of Florida & they did the usual drug run & searches but mostly they picked up Haitians trying to get into the U.S. They did a several search & rescues. He has had valuable training in police techniques & firearms & was even trained as an armorer. He is interested in getting on with DPS whenever he gets out.

The experience is good for getting on with a law enforcement agency. Agencies like to get that military discipline & (at least under Civil Service) you get the military extra points.

They get more knock from the Navy calling them "puddle jumpers" & such than from law enforcement.

[CustomsCop]

Believe you me, those folks earn their pay! They are definetly LE - more to the point, they are truly "public safety" officers. They patrol, take search and rescue, do regulatory and investigations. It's not the same as working the road as a state trooper, but it IS law enforcement all the same. Most assuredly looks good on the resume. And I always regarded them as the "real sailors" when I was Navy.

[GDenman]

Thanks Custom for the good words coming from a Navy man. They are more "public safety" than "law enforcement" & when I think of the term "real cops" I think of street law enforcement.

But they do perform an outstanding service. They have a huge amount of power. They are not bound by international waters & can board almost any ship at will. I'm very proud of what my son has chosen & how he has done as a Coastie.

[Tprspouse]

Thank You Thank You Thank You! For all the kind words about the Coast Guard. We just came out of active duty two years ago so that my husband could become a state trooper. Let me tell you! HAD HE NOT done LE in the Coast Guard as a boarding officer, ther is NO WAY in heck that he would have been hired as a trooper. Everyone else in his class all had college degrees. The time spent doing law enforcement in the Coast Guard gave him not only the knowledge, but the experience in working with the public and performing law enforcement duties. Not too many people can respect the work that the Coast Guard does and it varies from one area of the country to the next. In Maine, yes, a coastie will probably not do much drug interdiction or LE. Luckily my husband had the opportunity to be stationed in Fort Myers, FL. where he was seizing drugs left and right.

And yes, they don't get paid enough. Lest I forget that important tidbit of information. Can you imagine, as a police officer, being away from your family days at a time playing police officer only on a boat and getting paid a flat rate? Yessem. I think we figured it out to be .30 an hour back when he was a petty officer 3rd class. Heck, now he actually gets paid for putting his life on the line!

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"Awwwwwh Geeeeeez, Stifle...will ya?"--Archie Bunker (My hero)

[Niteshift]

What years were his Ft. Myers posting? I might know him. I worked Ft. MYers Beach for 3 years. Drank a lot of coffee at the Coast Guard Station and would go out on the back bay with them to do boardings.

[Tprspouse]

Ft. Myers 1992-1995

[Niteshift]

1994-1997 here......small world.

I've forgotten a lot of the names. I might know him to see him.

[Tprspouse]

Drop by this page on my website and tell me if you've seen him before. http://www.homestead.com/cowcountry/uscoastguard.html

There are a few pics of him in his uniform, perhaps you might recognize him. If you click around there are other pages with him in it.

I bet he knows you!!!! Small world indeed.

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"Awwwwwh Geeeeeez, Stifle...will ya?"--Archie Bunker (My hero)

[Tprspouse]

Nite,

You must not know him, you never answered back. You must have just missed each other. Actually, he only knows of two officers or sherrifs he worked with doing boardings in Fort Myers.

Hey, ever been to The Bridge Restaraunt? YUMMMEEEE! How bout thier fried onion rings on a paper towel dispenser and an extra paper towel dispenser to go with it? If you haven't been there you don't know what you're missing! I miss that place!

Oh and what was the name of that restaraunt heading to the beach on the left hand side? The name escapes me and it's driving me nuts to think of it!

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"Awwwwwh Geeeeeez, Stifle...will ya?"--Archie Bunker (My hero)

[jl23]

Trpspouse,

Would that be the restaraunt on Ft Meyers Beach as you are entering the island from the bridge??

I could be way off but my parents own a time-sharing condo on Estero (sp?) Island/FMB. It's been a while since I've been there but the folks are there for 2 weeks every year!

jl

[Niteshift]

I just checked the link......I don't really recognize him. If he saw me, he'd remember me. I'm a devilishly handsome http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif redhead.

I also looked all around that site..... seems you are camera shy http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif

The only restaurant I can think of on the left going on to the beach is the Bridge. I really only go there on Sunday nights. That regaee night packs the women in. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

How far before you get to the skybridge are you talking about?



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Niteshift-

Perseverate In Pugna

[Tprspouse]

Channel Marker! Yeah I remember it!

Oh and by the way, I am not camera shy! I am just the one taking all the pictures! There's a picture in there of our family. I should be in that one. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"Awwwwwh Geeeeeez, Stifle...will ya?"--Archie Bunker (My hero)

[Niteshift]

Channel Mark....right by the small bridge. I had to work their burglary when their safe got cut open...... why am I telling you this? http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Anthony's was pretty good too, across from the Fire Station.

I looked around the family pics too....I guess I'm just missing them.

[Tprspouse]

http://www.geocities.com/vttrpr67/LISA2.jpg

Ok, is this BIG enough for ya? Search no further! Geeeeeeeeeeez! LOL http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif j/k

I had to work their burglary when their safe got cut open...... why am I telling you this?

Because you think you're awesome. HAHAHA http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif


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"Awwwwwh Geeeeeez, Stifle...will ya?"--Archie Bunker (My hero)



[This message has been edited by Tprspouse (edited 07-17-2000).]

[Niteshift]

I don't think I'm awesome.......I KNOW I'm awesome. http://www.officer.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Damn girl.......Hey guys, go check that pic out http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Niteshift-

Perseverate In Pugna

[kd5hqd]

My dad was in the navy and he hates it when I use this joke.
Whenever someone makes fun of you or your family member for being C.G., just remind them that "all navy personnel are just seamen."Couldn't resist http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Kyle

[This message has been edited by kd5hqd (edited 11-27-2000).]

[Guard Dog]

One of the guys in my command was CG. He is 100% and doesn't miss anything. The things they did in the drug and alien interdiction duty prepared him for this job. Just think about the job they do. Many times the boarding parties are facing armed criminals that have total hate for American laws and will drop a cap on you just for fun. CG is much like LE in that there are rocking chair jobs and kick *** jobs. How many of you would choose to ride into a storm in 20 foot seas to rescue some moron , when anyone else is heading for shore. I understand that US Customs is recruiting CG guys big time upon discharge. I think of the Military services, CG is the closest to LE with the possible exception of the base MP's doing LE work.