Follow Your Passion to Service

Through Orange Coast College’s partnership with the U. S. Coast Guard, our graduates and certificate earners from the Professional Mariner and Culinary Arts academic programs are eligible for Direct Enlistment and Lateral Entry into the Coast Guard.

Students who hold certificates or an associate degree can enlist with a guaranteed specialty, at a higher starting level of pay and responsibility at the E-4 or E-5 level.

Those who take advantage of this opportunity will leverage their skills and knowledge while starting Coast Guard service as mid-level leaders.

Make the World a Better Place

Follow your passion to a maritime career with the Coast Guard. While this opportunity is not for everyone, it does offer many career advantages. Coast Guard service includes great benefits, training and education, tuition assistance, and the G.I. Bill.

If you join the U.S. Coast Guard, you’ll work with passionate individuals who share your drive to save lives, serve others, protect the sea, and shield our nation from trans-national threats. If you have a sincere desire to make the world a better place while setting yourself up for a bright future, Coast Guard service is for you.  

Earn Your Specialty with Orange Coast College

Graduates of the Professional Mariner Academic Program will have a guaranteed specialty of the Boatswain's Mate rating and graduates of the Culinary Arts Program will have a guaranteed specialty of the Culinary Specialist rating entering the U.S. Coast Guard through this partnership.

This partnership includes the opportunity for OCC students to engage with Coast Guard people who are serving now. By expressing your interest, we will notify you of planned events where you can spend time with Boatswain’s Mates and Culinary Specialists who are serving in our local area.  

Explore How To Serve

What is a Boatswain's Mate?

Boatswain's Mates are experts at navigating vessels and have the most command leadership opportunities of any rating. When operating a boat as coxswain, you'll be in charge of executing the mission and be responsible for the safety of your crew members. You'll also have a chance to train as a law enforcement officer who conducts maritime boardings. Boatswain's Mates can be found at nearly every operational unit.

Learn more: Boatswain’s Mate | United States Coast Guard

What is a Culinary Specialist?

Culinary Specialists keep Coast Guard crews fed by preparing meals to the highest standards of nutrition, taste, and food safety. Before the food even hits the pan, you'll be responsible for the intricate details of logistics, accounting, menu planning, and inventory management to keep pantries well stocked. You'll be trained in a variety of culinary arts to keep the menu fresh and morale high. Culinary Specialists are typically assigned to galleys afloat and ashore.

Learn more: Culinary Specialist | United States Coast Guard

FAQs

What are the opportunities unique to graduates and certificate holders from designated academic programs of study?

Graduates and certificate holders from approved programs will enter the Coast Guard at an E-4 or E-5 pay grade. Also, instead of completing a full boot camp they will enter a truncated version of a boot camp to learn Coast Guard policy, traditions, protocols, systems, etc. All other benefits included with military service apply.

Do the opportunities include active and reserve options?

Yes, both an active and reserve component opportunity is available to graduates.

What are the benefits of entering the service with a guaranteed specialty?

A guaranteed specialty ensures that you can follow your passion and do the type of work that you prefer to do. But, the Coast Guard consists of small teams who work together to accomplish all kinds of tasks.

What are the benefits of starting as an E4 or E5, through this program, as opposed to E2 or E3?

Graduates get the opportunity to showcase what they have learned along with taking on additional responsibilities as a Petty Officer. Specifically, it is a direct opportunity to develop their leadership skills further.

Will this program accelerate access to an officer accession path?

Officer career paths are available to enlisted personnel upon completion of various entry requirements, including college education and time in service. Entering the service with an academic degree is a valuable step towards eligibility for officer accession programs.

Could a student finish under-graduate studies while serving in the Coast Guard?

Yes, Active Duty can continue to pursue training and education through tuition assistance and the G.I. Bill. Members of the Coast Guard Reserve have opportunities to continue under-graduate studies as well.

Will tuition assistance be available once the student enlists?

Yes, there are service requirements for TA. 2 years active duty and 4 years reserve.

Tips For Success

Declare Your Program of Study

Take advantage of this partnership by declaring your program of study in a designated program below:

Then, meet with your academic counselor and faculty to let them know you intend to earn certificates and/or a degree in order to accelerate your Coast Guard career.

Develop a Student Education Plan

A Student Education Plan (SEP) is a collaborative roadmap with a timeline of courses that match your academic and career goals. All students are encouraged to complete an SEP—even if they are undecided on a major. Though SEPs are not required to register in general, having a SEP is strongly recommended as a key to success.

Learn more on the Future Pirates page. 

Develop a Fitness Lifestyle

Maintaining your physical fitness is an important part of achieving your goals. The Coast Guard recommends standards of physical fitness and offers a way to stay on track with their Personal Fitness Plan form. See these Fitness Assessment Protocols and Procedures to understand the requirements.

Increase your chances to succeed by choosing a mentor or accountability partner to help you stay on track with academic and fitness goals.

Interested?

Complete the contact form and we will contact you to provide more information about our United States Coast Guard partnership.