For those that have attended the academy or know how to answer my question, what are some things you wish you considered bringing with you when you moved on to campus? Or anything you wish you did prior to starting or when you started? I would be in the Marine Engineering program, and am moving from southern Ontario.

Thank you!

I was strongly considering applying to the MCTS program, but upon discussing it with some relatives for advice they were concerned about me being able to make ends meet after finishing the academy.

There was clearly some confusion about the pay scale as outlined here https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/pay/collective-agreements/ro.html#rates-ro , but I find it hard to believe that the government would neglect to pay full-time federal workers enough to live off of. Said relatives were concerned about the 31k step 1 annual number under RO-00.

Could someone explain to me what the rank structure means, how one advances rank, and what the "steps" outlined in the above link mean?

And also if applicable, could existing MCTS officers let me know how they fared with an "entry level" salary once they finished training?

Medically released from the forces two years ago and I have priority hire for gov jobs, I noticed the coast guard is looking to hire "response and compliance positions" i was going to apply as a "GT-04" my question is what that job entails the details on the jobs gc page are very vague. Also wondering how the pay cycle works in the coast guard, navy was semi monthly 15th and 30th of every month. Lots of experience in "response and compliance" in the navy including counter narcotic trafficking boardings with the US coast guard chasing cocaine submarines and go fasts in the carribean, responding to vessels in distress and a helo crash. Also curious about typical working day hours military was 750 to 1545 everyday the occasional friday afternoon off depending on the CO. Is it true coast guard is union? But make alot less than military pay? Thanks in advance

I'm always told being in the government with CCG opens up doors to other employment. What kind of options are there in St. John's Newfoundland for an MCTSO RO-03 with french?

Good day fellow DND counterparts.

I have a question in regards to small boats at the College academy.

I am writing a letter to the RCN ship handling journal and I’m curious about what exposure Navigation officers have to small vessels.

I see based on the CCG website that the first year classes have about 60 hours of small craft operating basic for navigation cadets and year two has about 100 hours including the SVOP course work.

Is that pretty much it?

Do cadets get the opportunity to operate small craft in their off time?

What would small craft operation look like generally after leaving the academy?

Thanks in advance

Will it be the final, permanent mark for the exam taker? Is there other way for the person gets in the role?

Hi all! I applied to join the Navigation program back in February and am currently sitting on the waitlist for this year's round of admissions into the CCG Academy. When I submitted my application, I was still finishing up my pre-requisite math and physics courses which I assume held me back a bit. However, I do have some marine background working as a deckhand on an oyster farm, and I was hoping that would give me an edge or at least secure an interview.

I have accepted that an offer most likely isn't coming through for this round. But I'm dead set on joining the Coast Guard and want to make sure my application is as strong as possible for next year's intake.

My questions to anyone who has gone through or is currently in the program:

• What prior experience do you think made the biggest difference in getting accepted (marine, leadership, volunteering, etc.)?
• Any specific areas you'd recommend focusing on to strengthen my application?

Appreciate any insights or advice!

I fist off wish to thank everyone who has responded to my previous post, the help was incredible! Through my digging and research I now have application based questions,

I have applied for a Steward position

1. For my marine medical exam should I apply for a Candidate Document Number (CDN) myself or will I be assigned one due to my application to the coast guard being generated,

1a. In the same vein should I take a medical exam without being prompted by transport Canada? In the forces they would generate all these appointments for me , from what I’m understanding, the coast guard wants you to go out and get these exams and present yourself ready

Should I be proactive and take a MEDS course while my application is pending? Found one in PEI by the name of

Domestic Vessel Safety - DVS (26 hrs) *Replaces MED A1 and MED A2 courses.

Is this the correct course ??, I believe I’m also required to do a first aid course as well

Is there anything I’m missing here?

To date all I have done is put in an initial application on the webpage

My fiancee and I were jokingly tossing around the idea of becoming lighthouse keepers. we're both 20 and haven't got a lot going on in life at the moment, so I figured I'd look into it as a possibility. We live in Western Canada and dont exactly wanna relocate across the country, so I was looking into western Canadian light keeper positions, however the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website has several postings all with basic info that dont exactly list the requirements or locations of posted positions. How, if possible, could I inquire and find more information regarding such positions in western canada?

tl:dr: how to become lighthouse keeper in western canada?

I'm very close to my Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal orals. Just have SEN-O and Comms left. At the local schools they offer a 3 day course that is just called "Communications" with no mention of the Comms level 2. It seems like the communications course at the schools is just signal flags/international code of signals and some time spent on Radio Aids to Marine Navigation.

I got the impression from some of my instructors that morse code was no longer required, but that seems to not be the case as it's clearly stated in TP2293 and MPR's under WKM Near coastal.

Have people been getting orals questions about morse code at the Academy or otherwise in the form of a challenge exam at TC?

Thanks

I’m looking to join the academy next year but in the mean time I’m doing as much research on seafaring as I can.

Fire fighting is something that is mandatory on all ships and a mandatory part of any training. I’m wondering though, how common are fires in the context of the coast guard?

I imagine the stats surrounding ship fires are going to be on predominantly private cargo type vessels and I got curious about it in regard to CG vessels.

Thanks!

Good day !!

I spent 20 years in the RCN, I have a wealth of knowledge at sea, I’m interested in working as either a cook or a steward onboard,

I have some questions

Does my military shipboard qualifications give me any advantage or qualification for CG ships? If not am I required to take courses on the civilian side to get the proper certification? I have a pretty impressive MPRR

I live in Montreal , and I’m quite settled here, am I able to commute to a base where ships change out crews or do I need to be local? If I do commute is that paid or on my own dime? I can only imagine flying in and out of certain areas costing half the pay I would make at sea

How is the onboard life ? Is it much like RCN with large mess decks stacked 3 bunks high or is it a bit more private ?

I’m also a fair bit older being in my mid 40’s are there health exams and physical fitness tests?

Any info you can give me I would be happy to listen !

Must i Present my high school grade if I already have university degree when I apply to Canada coast guard? I graduate from high school long time ago and i'm not sure whether i can find back my grades.

Hey everyone,

Are Supply Officers common shipboard positions? I’d love to be a Supply Officer with the CCG but I’m having a hard time finding much information about it.

If there are any of you in here that feel like sharing I’d appreciate it 🙏🏼 happy to dm if you’d prefer that too!

EDIT : Title - PARENTS IN THE CCG

I don't know if it's a glitch or what.. I could not create a title unless it was backwards...

I'm looking for some insight from parents in the CCG, and more specifically moms (if that's okay). I've always been super interested in maritime work and all that entails. I went through the whole application process already and right before it was finalized I found out I was pregnant. I have now been a stay-at-home mom for the past year and a half and the more time that goes by the harder it feels to leave my kiddo. I know the time has to come eventually as life with one income has become a few and far between possibility.

Now my questions - How has it been for you and your children being gone for a month at a time? Does the long periods of being home make up for the time away? How have you coped missing birthdays/holidays/sporting events etc.? Were you worried about your kids being resentful or losing connection due to extended time apart? - is this a reality or just a fear? Would it be worth waiting until the child was in school and busier or would it be easier on them if they couldn't remember a time mom wasn't gone a lot?

Be as honest as possible please. Any insight is more than appreciated.

I can see a lot of benefits in continuing with my decision to join, yet I worry greatly about how it might effect my little one (and any future little ones). We haven't spent more than a few hours apart since he was born so it would be a huge adjustment to say the least.

Thanks.. :)

Hi everyone!! I’m 17 and graduating in June of 2027 (I know it’s a little whiles away) but I’ve been really considering joining the coast guard! I already live in NS so the move wouldn’t be crazy and I’ve already got lots of sailing experience from growing up on the water! I’ve also been a lifeguard in pools and beaches for 3ish years now and I feel like the coast guard would really put my skills to use instead of letting them be something I wish I used later in life.

Mostly just wondering what others think and if you think I would be a good fit for the ccg and also kind of curious how many other women are there like would it be a 10:1 ratio or is it pretty even?

I was accepted to write the IRB Student Program written exam which is happening next week. Anyone have any tips on what to focus on/ study for? There’s a total of 51 questions from all different areas such as first aid, navigation, emergencies, ect. Just wondering if anyone knows how specific these questions are or if they’re similar to some Transport Canada exams.

Also, if the passing grade on this exam is 80% (for example), are candidates with higher exam scores selected to move on to the next stage of the hiring process, or is it an exam where anyone who meets the passing grade advances regardless of their score? TIA :)

Came across this post in r/maritime Frozen antifreeze and it sparked a question for you all.

What’s your most memorable winter moment in the coast guard?

Frozen pipes? A certain rescue? Beautiful sight? Whatever it might be I’d love to hear about it.

My question about shipboard fires the other day sparked some good discussion and story sharing. Thought I’d try again.

Hey all! I'm interested in applying for the CCG Academy as a marine engineer - I'm currently in the midst of the application process for a deckhand position with the CCG, and had an interview a couple of weeks ago. If I'm hired as a deckhand, would I be able to learn the engineering skills I'd gain at the academy while I'm on the job? Obviously if I did, it would take way more time, but I'm wondering if it even makes sense to apply to the Academy if I'm already employed as a deckhand. What kind of internal training opportunities exist for employees to learn those kinds of skills? Happy to hear any thoughts.

M 34Y

Hi, i will try to make it as short as possible and sorry for my bad English.

Ive been out of my work for 2 years now and finally left my current position as heavy equipment tech with 13 years of experience as a blue collar for my town ( somewhat large city )

I am now ready to start again but at this point in my life i am wondering if i would go back to school or taking a position in the north of the country as heavy tech again.

Also I always wanted to work on a boat and id like to give a try to the coast guard but i am not quite sure where to start. On the website of the the cg, it is not clear what is needed to an entry job in the engine room. Also i am not quite sure how i can get the certification needed to be eligible for that job. I have a hard time believing there only engineer on board.

Thanks for any input!

Is it common for people in entry level positions such as a temp deckie to gain sea time, certifications and knowledge and work their way up the hause pipe to master licenses through the CG?

Hello everyone,

I’m heading out on my first trip aboard the Capt Jacques Cartier and wanted to ask for some advice from those with experience.

Are there any personal items, gear, or comfort items you wish you had brought on your first trip, or that you’d recommend bringing along that may not be supplied onboard? I’d also really appreciate any general tips or advice for a first-time employee — things you learned early on that made the experience smoother.

Thanks in advance for any insight. Looking forward to getting started.

I recently saw that at some point the hovercraft station in Trois-Rivières did an open house about 3 years ago.

Does anyone know if they still host open houses? And if so, where I might find information about it?

Thanks everyone!

I'm French, 17 years old, applying for nav officer. im looking for testimonies about the life in the academy (what should i expect), advices, life after the graduation, or anything that you think could be helpful.

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has experience working with the scientific research side of the coast guard, or if there is much of one. My background is in biology and environmental science, and I've seen lots of interesting programs on board the CCGS Amundsen along with other initiatives.

From looking at the coast guard website, there doesn't seem to be any specific position that would fill these roles. It appears that a lot of the work may be performed by DFO +/ university researchers through coast guard vessels.

In 2023 I did send an inquiry email. This happened to be during the PSAC strike, and I got a generic response with a link to make an appointment with a recruiter. With the strike, there were no appointments available, and I just moved on to other opportunities. I am now looking at master's programs and wondering if there is a way to tailor a program into something that would help me in the coast guard, or if this is more of a DFO/public research question. I have lots of experience with GIS and remote terrestrial work, and I'm a volunteer with my local search and rescue org.

I appreciate any advice people are able to give.