For any officers or anyone that has experience working at C5I or other relevant units.

I have a Bachelor's degree in computer science and I am actively applying to earn a Master's degree.

I am a 2nd Class putting together a package for Direct Commission in engineering.

What could I study for my Master's degree to give me the most competitive edge?

The worst part about coming back from leave (apart from leaving all my loved ones that I haven’t seen in a year) is having to shave my leave beard😔

Does anyone know if the Polartec Microfleece watch cap is authorized and can PT Sweatshirts be worn in civies? I know I have seen people wear their PT Sweatshirt in civies but idk if I'll get crap for it. Last thing, does anyone know the status of the CGU III?

Thx folks!

"Choose your rate, choose your fate."

This is apart of a greater thread, designed to be a one-stop resource for MSTs to share their experiences and help Non-Rates understand what it's like to work as an MST.

If you're an MST and can spare a few moments to answer the questions below, your insights would be a huge help to those exploring this career path. Pleases write a response to these questions before reading others. This will allow for more candid responses.

1. How long have you been in?
2. What units/assets have you been on? What qualification do you have/had?
3. What is your life like? (This is meant to be an open ended question.)
4. What do you believe are Pros and Cons to your job/rate?

Go Coast Guard definition - MSTs are specialists who enforce laws related to safety, security, and environmental protection. You'll board vessels, inspect commercial waterfront facilities, and respond to disasters that affect the environment or operation of a port. You may search containers or oversee handling of hazardous cargo to prevent disruptions to critical maritime commerce infrastructure. MSTs are typically assigned to shoreside sectors and specialized units.

What do you think the markup is on these? 300% after labor and materials???

Hello everyone! I need to write a statement explaining why I want to join the Coast Guard for a waiver. I have four dependents, which is why I'm requesting the waiver. Has anyone here been through this process before? Do you have any tips on how to write it? Also, has anyone faced a similar situation and been approved? Thank you!

Howdy,

I’m just wrapping up with MEPS, and with the upcoming 8 weeks I would like some clarification for chow. I’ve heard around that if I bring a bow tie as a personal item, I’d be allowed liberty to go to Chilis on my first week to have dinner with the CC’s and have them meet my parents! Again these are just rumors I’ve heard and want to know do I have to bring bow ties for the CC’s as well or do they have them already. Also do they pay for me since they get a great discount?! I would LOVE to have a couple margaritas with them before we get on with the rest of the weeks!

In all seriousness I’m about to join and I’ve been nervous about the lifestyle but if some people in the CG have this humor I’m sure I can find someone to get along with if I make it in. Thank you chilis man.

(P.S. if being an ET sucks tell me now or I’m cooked in a week when I sign those papers)

I was at work all day thinking about this, I know where the meme comes from. But if there's any place the CG is like. It's an Olive Garden, the ambience is meh at best. There's some kids throwing pasta around like it's baseball practice for the sector. And everything is trying to be nice, but it's all done very cheaply.

What the fuck is happening in here.

Last night, because my own car was in the shop, my neighbor let me borrow his '75 Buick Electra 225.

Let me tell you, this thing is huge! So, I awkwardly parked it in front of the Chili's, backing and filling until I got it right, and got out. As I was looking across the top of the car, I saw a guy wearing a Coast Guard uniform with a freaking bow tie come out of the front door. He had a look on his face as if something unpleasant had just happened to him in that fine establishment.

My girlfriend got out of the car, and slammed the heavy door. She looked across the top of the car at me, and said: "Damn! That is one boat of a car!"

The Coasty, who had already had about a quarter of an unhinged look about him, said: "Boat?!? Hold on there!" And then he stepped right up to us.

"I'm going to need to check you for the proper fire extinguisher. And where do you keep your life jackets?" I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

As he stepped around toward the trunk of the car, muttering something about 'the SOLAS Convention,' myself and my girlfriend inched backwards toward the front door of the restaurant. As soon as I had the handle in hand, we fled inside.

That was an unnerving experience!

r/uscgchilis

It's the Chili's. When and where can I RSVP?

Why are the mods locking any post that involves chilli's? Are we not allowed to have morale on this sub. Are posts only allowed if it involves boot camp questions or if they are from another branch and thinking about switching to blue. Lighten up ffs.

Can we take a second and let’s just talk about how useful and awesome MSRT DAS operators are?

"Choose your rate, choose your fate."

This is apart of a greater thread, designed to be a one-stop resource for MKs to share their experiences and help Non-Rates understand what it's like to work as an MK.

If you're an MK and can spare a few moments to answer the questions below, your insights would be a huge help to those exploring this career path. Pleases write a response to these questions before reading others. This will allow for more candid responses.

1. How long have you been in?
2. What units/assets have you been on? What qualification do you have/had?
3. What is your life like? (This is meant to be an open ended question.)
4. What do you believe are Pros and Cons to your job/rate?

Go Coast Guard definition - MKs are responsible for systems, including internal combustion engines, heating and ventilation, hydraulics, and basic electricity. With their intimate knowledge of ships systems, many MKs train to conduct law enforcement boardings. At smaller units, an MK is often the Engineering Petty Officer, who is responsible for the engineering department and equipment. MKs can be found at nearly every unit.

if the likelihood of crossing over is good, am i allowed to keep my same rate and rank ? would i have to go back to bootcamp ?

is there any body with cross branching experience that would like to chime in to give some advice?

If you could pick, what station would you pick for being able to snowboard on the weekend?

i only have mirrored shades and was tryna see how much trouble id likely get in for wearing them

Hello all,

I wanted the community and in particular the mods to pay extra attention during this whole chili's uniform thing. As is very evident in this sub and as I have pointed out before chinese nationals/agents are present here. We've all seen the posts asking about sensitive data/locations/procedures. This is no joke and I believe they will use this time to gather even more Intel and conduct more surveillance on us government subreddits. Thanks.

I've seen different answers (both on this subreddit and online) as to the actual length of OS A school. I have heard anwhere from 9 weeks to 13 weeks. Can anyone confirm as to the most up-to-date A school length for OS?

Thank you.

When I was in the Army, two separate times I had someone tell me that the USCG doesn’t use safeties on their weapons. Pretty much insinuating how bad ass the branch is. I found it odd because the two people that told me had no connection to each other but deep down inside I thought it was a rumor. Can anyone clarify if this is true or not? And if it’s not true, any idea where that thought came from?

I’ve seen different answers (both in this subgroup and online) as to the length of OS A school. I’ve heard it is 9 weeks, 13 weeks. Can anyone confirm the length? Thank you.

So, we’ve got this guy. Coast Guard uniform. Full regalia. Medals gleaming. And he’s not just stopping by for a quiet Presidente Margarita after a tough day rescuing drowning jet skiers. Oh no. He’s making an entrance. Picture this: the doors swing open, and there he is, silhouetted against the neon glow of the Chili’s sign, like some kind of maritime Batman. Every head in the restaurant swivels. The fajita sizzle stops. Even the little chili-shaped light fixtures seem to flicker.

He strides in like he’s responding to an urgent queso emergency. Sunglasses come off in slow motion. He surveys the room with a level of intensity that makes me think he’s calculating the nautical distance between Table 7 and the bar. And then—of course—he chooses the most central, visible table, the one right under the big poster that says “Chili’s: Pepper in Some Fun!” And you know what he does? He sits there and looms. Like, looms.

The man orders the smallest thing possible—usually a single Bud Light or a cup of Southwest Chicken Soup—and then doesn’t touch it. He just exists in a way that feels like we’re all about to be debriefed after a secret mission. Customers are freaked. One lady whispered to me, “Is this about the fajitas? Are they illegal now?” Another guy asked if the Coast Guard had jurisdiction over Chili’s, like we were smuggling contraband enchiladas. I don’t know, Carl, but I’ll Google it later.

Last Friday, it got even weirder. He brought a clipboard. A clipboard, you guys. He was jotting things down while watching a bachelorette party attempt to split a Chocolate Lava Cake. The bride straight-up asked me, “Is this man auditing my margarita consumption?” Lady, I have no idea, but I’d keep it under five, just in case.

And the vibe! The whole restaurant feels like it’s under surveillance. Families are avoiding him like he’s a sentient “We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service” sign. I overheard one kid ask his mom, “Is Chili’s going to jail?” Like, kid, I don’t think so, but honestly, who knows anymore?

Look, I respect the Coast Guard. I respect uniforms. But this is Chili’s, not the Pentagon. You don’t see Army generals interrogating the Loaded Boneless Wings or Navy SEALs rappelling into the salad bar. Sir, please. Order the full-size Cajun Chicken Pasta, relax, and stop treating this place like the set of NCIS: Appetizer Division.

Am I crazy, or is this guy turning Chili’s into a top-secret government ops site? And how do I approach this? Do I salute him? Do I ask for his clearance level before offering him dessert? Help me, Reddit. My customers just want to enjoy their 2-for-1 Happy Hour drinks without wondering if they’re part of a covert sting operation.

Last night, my wife and I went to Chili’s for a casual dinner, and things got weird. A drunk guy in a Coast Guard uniform came in, loud and sloppy, and started hitting on my wife. At first, it was so over-the-top that we both laughed it off—stuff like, “You ever been on a real rescue mission?” But as the guy kept going, I noticed my wife laughing more than usual, almost like she was enjoying the attention. I tried to brush it off and even made some jokes to shift the vibe, but she didn’t seem bothered by him at all. Eventually, he got kicked out for being too drunk, and we finished our meal, but the whole thing left me unsettled.

She says it was harmless and that I’m overthinking it, but something about the way she responded didn’t sit right with me. I trust her, but I also can’t shake this feeling that I was invisible for a moment. Am I making a big deal out of nothing, or is this worth addressing? I’d really appreciate some outside perspective.