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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

OFFICER PROGRAMS

OFFICER PROGRAMS

 

Enlistee to Officer Programs

 

There are many routes to a commission as an officer in the Coast Guard. At one time, in the not-too-distant past, the vast majority of officers were Coast Guard Academy graduates. Even though there are still more officers who got their commissions at the Academy, the percentages have narrowed. Today, about 42% of Coast Guard officers got their commissions through one of the many programs which lead to OCS or through the warrant officer process.

Before doing anything else, please read the most recent message (ALCGRECRUITING 010/11) outlining the application deadlines and process for all the programs bulleted below except warrant officer.

The links below will tell you about the various programs.

 

College Student Pre-commissioning Initiative (CSPI)

 

CSPI is a college-completion program for college sophomores.  It provides full payment of school tuition, fees, textbooks, a salary, medical insurance, and other benefits during a student's junior and senior year of college. Contrary to popular belief, this program is open to applicants of all races and ethnicities.  However, applicants must complete their college degrees at a school in one of the following categories:

 

The CSPI program guarantees training at Officer Candidate School (OCS) upon successful completion of all program requirements.  These requirements include completion of a degree and all Coast Guard training requirements.  Following the completion of OCS and commission as a Coast Guard officer, each student will be required to serve on active duty (full time) as an officer for 3 years. The application process is involved, but can be completed in a few weeks. The preparation, however, takes time and hard work.

 

Age Criteria for Programs Listed Above

 

In October 2008, age requirements for non-aviation officer accession programs were standardized and published in ALCOAST 485/08.  These and the aviation-program requirements are listed below.  With this ALCOAST the concept of "constructive age" and all age waivers were eliminated for these programs.

Category Minimum age* Maximum age*
DCE 21 40
OCS (temporary commission) 21 34
OCS (Reserve commission) 21 30
PPEP 21 32
AVCAD 21 30
SRDC 21 36
CSPI 19 27
Flight training (where applicant is already commissioned or in OCS) 21 30

* As of 30 September of the FY in which the selection board meets

 

Academy

 

The Coast Guard Academy is still an important source of officers. More than half the Coast Guard's new officers graduate from the Academy.

The course of instruction at the Academy includes both academics and professional training. At the end of four years, eligible cadets earn a bachelor’s degree and a commission as a Coast Guard officer.

All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply if they

Enlisted Coast Guard personnel are encouraged to apply.

 

Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps

 

PHS physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and pharmacists (commissioned officers in the PHS) provide health care services to active duty Coast Guard personnel, their dependents, and retirees.

All U.S. citizens are eligible to apply if they

The PHS Commissioned Corps also has two relatively new programs that allow students to serve their country while completing their education.  These programs are the Junior and Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Programs (JRCOSTEP and SRCOSTEP).

JRCOSTEP provides (essentially) paid externships to students who have completed at least 1 year of study in a master's or doctoral program or at least 2 years of study in a professionally accredited baccalaureate program in specific health disciplines and meet other program requirements.

SRCOSTEP, in return for the student's agreement to work for the Commissioned Corps after graduation, provides financial assistance to individuals who are enrolled as full-time students in certain accredited programs with at least 8 months of educational commitment remaining in the final year and who meet other program requirements.  The student's service obligation is equal to twice the time sponsored; that is, for 9 months of financial support, a SRCOSTEP participant commits to 18 months of employment with the division or organization that provided the support.

The desired disciplines are:

 

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Last Modified 01/18/2012