7 Requirements To Join The Coast Guard

Joining the Coast Guard can be a challenging and rewarding career choice, offering a unique opportunity to serve and protect the United States' coastlines and waterways. However, before you can start your journey, you'll need to meet the Coast Guard's basic requirements. In this article, we'll explore the seven key requirements to join the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard is a specialized branch of the US Armed Forces that operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime. Its primary mission is to protect the public, the environment, and the country's economic and security interests in the maritime domain. With a rich history dating back to 1790, the Coast Guard has evolved to meet the changing needs of the nation, and its members are proud to serve as the "Guardians of the Sea."

To become a part of this elite team, you'll need to meet the Coast Guard's stringent requirements, which include physical fitness, educational background, medical standards, and more. In this article, we'll delve into the seven key requirements to join the Coast Guard, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to become a Coast Guardsman.

Requirement 1: Age

The first requirement to join the Coast Guard is to meet the age criteria. The Coast Guard accepts applicants between the ages of 17 and 27, with some exceptions for older candidates who have prior military experience or other qualifying factors. If you're under 18, you'll need to obtain parental consent to join.

Age Exceptions

While the standard age range is 17-27, there are some exceptions for older candidates:

Prior military service: If you have prior military experience, you may be eligible to join the Coast Guard up to age 32.
Coast Guard Reserve: The Coast Guard Reserve has a higher age limit of 40 for prior-service personnel.
Officer Candidate School: If you're applying for Officer Candidate School, the maximum age is 32.

Requirement 2: Citizenship

To join the Coast Guard, you must be a U.S. citizen. If you're not a citizen, you may still be eligible to join if you're a lawful permanent resident or a refugee.

Citizenship Options

If you're not a U.S. citizen, you may still be eligible to join the Coast Guard under certain circumstances:

Lawful permanent resident: If you're a lawful permanent resident, you may be eligible to join the Coast Guard.
Refugee: If you're a refugee, you may be eligible to join the Coast Guard.

Requirement 3: Education

To join the Coast Guard, you'll need to meet the educational requirements. The minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent.

Education Options

If you don't have a high school diploma, you may still be eligible to join the Coast Guard:

General Education Development (GED) certificate: If you have a GED certificate, you may be eligible to join.
Home-schooling: If you were home-schooled, you may be eligible to join.

Requirement 4: Physical Fitness

To join the Coast Guard, you'll need to meet the physical fitness requirements. The Coast Guard uses the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to assess your physical fitness level. The PFT consists of three events: push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5-mile run.

Physical Fitness Standards

To pass the PFT, you'll need to meet the following standards:

Push-ups: 27 push-ups in 1 minute
Sit-ups: 27 sit-ups in 1 minute
1.5-mile run: 12 minutes and 30 seconds

Requirement 5: Medical Standards

To join the Coast Guard, you'll need to meet the medical standards. The Coast Guard has strict medical standards to ensure that you're fit for duty.

Medical Standards

Some medical conditions may disqualify you from joining the Coast Guard:

Vision: You must have correctable vision of 20/20 in each eye.
Hearing: You must have normal hearing in each ear.
Body Mass Index (BMI): You must have a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9.

Requirement 6: Background Check

To join the Coast Guard, you'll need to undergo a background check. The Coast Guard conducts background checks to ensure that you're eligible to join.

Background Check Process

The background check process involves:

Fingerprinting: You'll be fingerprinted as part of the background check process.
Interview: You'll be interviewed by a background investigator.
Records check: Your records will be checked for any past offenses or issues.

Requirement 7: Moral Standards

To join the Coast Guard, you'll need to meet the moral standards. The Coast Guard has strict moral standards to ensure that you're a good fit for the service.

Moral Standards

Some moral issues may disqualify you from joining the Coast Guard:

Felony convictions: If you have a felony conviction, you may be ineligible to join.
Misdemeanor convictions: If you have a misdemeanor conviction, you may be eligible to join, but it will depend on the nature of the offense.
Substance abuse: If you have a history of substance abuse, you may be ineligible to join.

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What is the minimum age to join the Coast Guard?

The minimum age to join the Coast Guard is 17 years old, with some exceptions for older candidates who have prior military experience or other qualifying factors.

What is the maximum age to join the Coast Guard?

The maximum age to join the Coast Guard is 27 years old, with some exceptions for prior-service personnel and those applying for Officer Candidate School.

What is the minimum educational requirement to join the Coast Guard?

The minimum educational requirement to join the Coast Guard is a high school diploma or equivalent.

Now that you've read about the seven requirements to join the Coast Guard, we hope you have a better understanding of what it takes to become a Coast Guardsman. Remember to meet the age, citizenship, education, physical fitness, medical standards, background check, and moral standards requirements to be eligible to join. If you're ready to take the next step, research the Coast Guard's recruitment process and start your journey today!