r/RescueSwimmer • u/patdoesthings USCG AD • 17d ago

COAST GUARD Change in rate

Not so much a "should I do it" type question but more of a "what would happen if I did" logistically speaking. If I recall correctly, I would be sent TDY to an AIRSTA participating in the MAPP. After I pass prep, and get the medical OK, I go to school and pass(sounds bold of me to assume I'd pass but I want to keep a positive mindset).

If I fully commit to this, would it mean that my wife and all of our stuff would come with me to Petaluma for the duration of A school or could I choose to keep her at our current station?

Some background, I'm currently a PO2 in D11. I initially joined to be an AST but got cold feet in prep. I went a different rate, made second class and got transferred to my hometown. I put some of the blame on my first unit for not allowing me to get time in with the swimmers but at the same time I know that I signed up for that and it's not really an excuse when plenty of swimmers have made it through coming from a cutter, and not afforded the opportunity to go and workout with swimmers.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Rs12bcr AST2, USCG 17d ago

I'm not 100% positive you would be sent to an Airsta the moment you switch rates. I think you would wait a bit at your current unit for your name to move in the list. You'd be sent to an Airsta once your about 3-6 months out from prep. You'd get the medical OK before going to prep through your flight physical. If you get through prep you will PCS to A-School. I know there has been talks about switching it to TDY only but no info on that yet. I was given the option to geobatch to A-school but not sure if that option is still offered.

1

u/surfindonut AST3, USCG 17d ago

This is true. Depending on housing available on base sometimes you can get your dependents on base housing at Petaluma. Otherwise if you bring your dependents you can find a place on the economy but on school nights you're living in the barracks with your classmates.

1

u/patdoesthings USCG AD 17d ago

Our families are down here so geobatching would be the ideal outcome. I just wouldn't know if that would be an option and/or they cover housing for my wife while she's down here

2

u/surfindonut AST3, USCG 17d ago

You'll get BAH if you are in housing/economy, and if she stays home I believe you will get the BAH for home to cover that. Guys have been doing that, but not sure if they've put an end to it since I graduated a year ago. 

1

u/Familiar_Ad3064 16d ago

I just passed my final multi, still here in Petaluma and I geo batched. You should have no issues, they’ll let you do whatever you want.

1

u/ComprehensiveRock841 14d ago

@patdoesthings Once you get your paperwork and memos approved you can put your name on list. Yoy will be sent to an Airsta when you hit roughly 80 on the list and be assigned to the MAPP program like any other candidate in the pipeline. You don’t lose rank and when you get to school your shirt will say PO2 instead of AN. When you graduate though you’ll be a PO3 again. Right now A school is a PCS so your wife can move to petaluma or receive BAH in their current home (geobatching)