[Andy A.]

For a long time, I was planning on going to the Coast Guard Academy, and becoming a pilot. On top of going to a top rate engineering school, I would graduate an officer with lots of options for further training and a careerer doing something I would love.

It appealed to me for many reasons The chief being that I like the idea of service but not so much the shooting or being shot at. The Coast Guard struck me as being a way to serve my country while avoiding the very real ethical dilemmas I had with being a part of the other armed forces. It was comforting to me knowing that I would never be called overseas to take part in a war I couldn't support. My job would be to protect the American coast and waterways, and those who used it. Thats a job description I knew I wouldn't ever regret.

By the end of high school, it was obvious that I wouldn't be able to qualify for flight school due to medical reasons. While the academy was still a viable option, being a sailor simply didn't light the same fire in me. I opted instead to go to a normal 4 year tech school.

The Coast Guard is a fantastic service with a huge list of benefits no other branch can offer. If you love the sea and the idea of service with out long deployments, consider it.

-Andy A.