Coast Guarding?

[DoubleHelix]

I've done a bit of research on it but the info isn't all that great especially compared to the USA. Does anyone know how hard it is to get on with coast guard in Canada? It's definetly something im interested in but don't want to go to school again for something other than Fire so I was just wondering if anyone had any experience or info on it. Thanks

[five_alarm]

How do I apply for a job with the Coast Guard?

The Canadian Coast Guard is a civilian marine organization within the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. As such all non-professional categories are hired through your local Human Resources Development Canada HRDC (http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/common/home.shtml) Centres.

Professional categories, Navigators, Engineers, Pilots and Logistics Officers are normally recruited and trained at the Canadian Coast Guard College (http://www.cgc.gc.ca/) in Sydney Nova Scotia.

You can obtain more information on the CCG Officer Training Program from this address:

The Registrar
Canadian Coast Guard College
P.O. Box 3000
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6K7

Telephone: (902) 567-3208
Facsimile: (902) 567-3233
E-mail: registrar@cgc.ns.ca (registrar@cgc.ns.ca)

Canadian Coast Guard FAQ's (http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/faq_e.htm)

How can I become a SAR technician? (http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/sar/faqs_e.htm)

[DoubleHelix]

Thanks false alarm. Thats awesome.

[Red_Devil]

Well DH, the canadian guard is how can you say.......not as great as the American coast guard, to put it nicely. I too found information on joining the canadian coast guard pretty rare. What i do know is that it is unlike the American counterpart...as in military terms. To join the US Coast gaurd you enlist just like you do in the army or the marines or airforce, the american coast guard does fall under the armed services. The canadian coast guard does not fall under the military umbrella in canada, it is actually under the department of transportation i think. So to join you either have to be hired by the Department of transportation, which means you most likely need some sort of sea-men experience, or you go to officer school which is out in Nova Scotia i think....What you might want to consider is the American Coast Guard, even though your a Canadian citizen....enlistment in the coast guard is way behind the 3 other armed forces....I looked into joining the American Coast Guard back when i was in my early 20's....I went down to the recruit office in St Petersburgh Florida and they were willing to sponsor me under a work visa because coast guard positions were low at the time, there was some kinda visa program where if there was jobs available for immigrants then the employer could sponsor the worker for a working visa. Hope this info helps

[five_alarm]

Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans

;)

[DoubleHelix]

Thanks RD. I didn't want to say anything because didn't know how patriotic people are on these forums but ive also been looking at that. I've been speaking with some people about it but I think its a little harder nowadays to get visa's and stuff. One recruiter told me id have to live in the US and then get my own green card which is pretty damn hard so im not prepared to do that. But i'll continue pursuing it I guess.

The way I see it is im 20 years old and after my term would be done id still only be like 23 so thats still even young to get on a department so I think it would be a great idea. Not to mention the life experience and awesome training you would receive.

After looking at the Coast Guard college's site it seems to be alot to do with alot more knowledge and less of the fun stuff but to each's own.

[Red_Devil]

another little bit of info for ya DH, why not look into the US Coast Guard College, A recruiter had mentioned to me that its another way for a foreigner to get in, you see the military school accepts international students, so you do your 2 year program of study, then you have an obligation to do 3 years service in the coast guard as a officer cause the school is an officer school too, so there it is you get your 3 years in the coast guard, you earn a college degree and you have officer training, not to bad eh

[DoubleHelix]

Do you have to pay for it? Or do you get paid for it? Definetly a interesting idea.

[DoubleHelix]

I checked the coast guard college and you have to be a US citizen so im going to call tomorrow but things don't look good from that angle.

[Red_Devil]

inquire about international students...i know they did except them at one time, then again this was before 9/11

[DFCSmash]

Well RD as long as we're plying grammer cop... Accept is to let in
Except is to disallow.:D Just had to.

[colin911]

I'll play spelling cop ... DFC are you "plying" grammer cop? What does the verb "to ply" mean? :p

[DFCSmash]

Originally posted by colin911
I'll play spelling cop ... DFC are you "plying" grammer cop? What does the verb "to ply" mean? :p

To ply is to engage in as "to ply one's trade" Any further questions?

[Red_Devil]

hahahaha DFC you got caught too lol, I think you meant to type PLAY instead of PLY, nice cover up though ;)

[DFCSmash]

Well hey, ya gotta admit, it wasn't a bad save. My fingers are just way too fast for my keyboard.;) And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.:D

[web-chief]

Hi All.

FYI I have two friends that have worked for the Canadian Coast Guard. One still does. Getting on there was different for each of them the one who still works there was a licensed mechanic with really zero sea experience he got on as a oilier and has a pretty cush job. The other had 15 years of sea experience he got on as a deck hand a much harder job. Both of them have told me that the schooling is a better way to go as you get a higher position from the start. On the debate of USA vs. Canadian Coast Guard, they really are as different as night and day. USA is an armed force the Canadian is not.

Here is an interesting article from SFU that discusses a Canadian American Strategic Review - Canadian Defence Policy, Foreign Policy, & Canada-US Relations

http://www.sfu.ca/casr/ft-senate2.htm

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by DoubleHelix
I've done a bit of research on it but the info isn't all that great especially compared to the USA. Does anyone know how hard it is to get on with coast guard in Canada? It's definetly something im interested in but don't want to go to school again for something other than Fire so I was just wondering if anyone had any experience or info on it. Thanks



I have done some work for the CCG and you want the honest to god truth. It will take a act of god to get a full time and even a part time spot with the. They are constently laying up ships and all.

[bcfire]

There is money in the budget "over 5 years"(laughter) to beef up but I doubt that the agencies that need it will ever see it. It will undoubtedly end up in some crooked politician's ass pocket.
Cynical but true. BCFIRE

[DoubleHelix]

I'm looking into the US Navy now too. The opportunity would just be too good to pass up if I can get the right paper work to get residency in the states. I'm going to the embassy tomorrow to check some things out.

[Red_Devil]

let me know how it goes DH

[dentedhead]

DH,interesting career change/interest.I think you would find the CCG a little more laid back than the military end of things,remember your time won't be your own for the length of your enlistment. I think either route would be a great way to gain some skills and experience,not to mention some travel and adventure.I was going to go into te Canadian navy but by the time the trade I was waiting for came up I had already started college. I waited for over a year before they called me to swear in.

As far as the U.S military is concerned,I know from experience that it has since 1976 (what a coincidence) been contrary To the U.S immigration act to enlist in any branch of the U.S armed services as a foriegn national, without landed immigrant status(greencard)and/or the appropriate work visas.It is also not an accepted practice to enlist with the purpose of obtaining LI status or to become a citizen of the United States.I learned this first hand, I woke up one morning and had this strange urge to join the USMC,dont know why, I just did.I drove down to Buffalo and started the enlistment process when I was asked where I was born and what my current citizenship was, it all came to a screeching halt.The recruiting sargeant then informed of what I just relayed to you.

It is still definatly worth checking out I think it would be a great way to spend a few years.Sorry about the long post.

Dentedhead

P.S how did you make out with KW/Waterloo etc?

[DoubleHelix]

Thanks for the info. The thing is I have a US citizen that will sponsor me but I have no idea how that works so really my knowledge is pretty weak in those areas. But soon I will find out I guess.

The Joint recruitment test went alright. I found it a little harder than mississauga and my mark was like 2 points under so not a big deal. I'm not expecting anything from that recruitment though because its so over filled with candidates.

[dentedhead]

Congrats on the test.I do know from my source in Kitchener that it was a 50/50 split on pass fail marks.

Its good that you have a sponsor,now the bad news unless you have a corporation opening doors for you it is a fairly long process. If you do it by the book,(think you can claim refugee status?...no okay), then it could take as long as two years to get all the paper work done.

They do occasionally have" lotteries" but Canada is usually only included every other time.I remember working in T.O and driving behind the embassy the lineups would often be 3-4 blocks long by 07:00.Most of them looked like refugee claiments though.

I wouldnt let that discourage you,you seem like a pretty motivated guy so keep at it.Good luck

Dentedhead

[DoubleHelix]

The thing is though if its gonna take 2 years to get in the Navy then thats a ship im not willing to sail.

I'm pretty confident if I keep on taking courses with DART and others once a month or so and get my work experience up to PAR then I think I could get hired before then. The whole point of the Navy for me is to open up options in Canada and the US, Travel, Get life experience and to be able to get on with a department right away and be able to have better choice as to where I spend my career.

[iamvff]

DH...do what you need to do to realize your dreams...I didn't act soon enough and regret it!!! Your young and have lots of time...do it man...do it!!Even if it means a couple of years in school.

Be safe
iamvff

[Red_Devil]

I think your on the right track DH, you have got pre service school under your belt as well as some great courses and volunteer experience i think you said as well, Alls you need is some life experience and I think your good to go for a career in the fire service. Like you said your young so that kinda puts a mark against you when it comes to the hiring process, get some life experience either in the military even if its just the reservesor what ever. Yes your right..you are young, so live your life a little and get some real life experience..You still have a few years until they really start looking at ya so live a little and say in 2yrs when you get in for an interview HR is gonna sit back and say wow look at this guy, hes still young and look what hes done!

[five_alarm]

VANCOUVER, BC - When you think of the coast guard, it’s search-and-rescue operations and police actions at sea that come to mind. Those are dramatic events, but they’re also fairly rare, a small part of the guard’s mandate to keep an eye on the coastal waters.

For the bigger picture, I went over to the guard’s marine communications and traffic services offices (MCTS), in the aptly named Harbour Centre tower, where one of B.C.’s five federally defined “areas of responsibility” is set up to monitor traffic in Canada’s busiest port. It’s done in large part through radar.

straight.com (http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=8441)

[dentedhead]

Doublehelix,the other day we were out at a local hotel doing a pre plan,a guy comes out of a meeting room I notice a shoulder flash....Canadian coast guard I stopped him and asked a few questions. He was an auxillary guy but seemed to be up on what was involved in getting in full time.You can go to their college in Nova Scotia it is any where from 2-4 years depending on your trade choice or you can apply for a job when they become available by applying to either transport Canada or the ministry of oceans and fisheries.He wasnt sure about how many or how often they take on at a time,he said to check out the website,Im sure you already have though.He also said if you have a diploma/degree in a skill they require you can be taken on in Jr.officer rank or "civillian specialist" without going to the CCG college.

You should also seriously consider an apprenticeship in a desirable trade for FF such as electrician or plumber etc. about 3 years, decent cash and a ready made days off gig for when you do get on an F.D

Hope that helps you some more.

Dentedhead

[DoubleHelix]

Thanks for the info and advice.

I have lots of options and im trying not to rush into anything but im not the most patient person so its hard. My buddy went down to the embassy yesterday and he emailed me and told me he got some info and stuf but hasn't called me back yet but I imagine he got some relatively decent news so we'll see.

[five_alarm]

CANADA - We have almost 250,000 km of coast, some 11 million sq. km of ocean territory -- and a defence capability that offers little comfort to its closest neighbour and ally.

Reversing this perception has become a belated federal priority, which may explain why a binational flotilla of ships with big guns churned the waters off the West Coast the very February day federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale boosted defence spending in the Liberal government's budget.

The potential influx of illegal migrants, smugglers and extremists is not just a domestic concern. Since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, no one cares as passionately about the defence of Canada as does the United States of America.

Source: Macleans.ca (http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/canada/article.jsp?content=20050314_101706_101706)