Important News for AST Wannabes- The "Preferred Unit" Process

BIG NEWS FOR AST RECRUITS!

The AST rate (job) has become critically understaffed at the E-4 position and in order to boost those numbers up the Coast Guard has implemented a plan to offer a "Preferred Unit" to recruits who qualify. The process looks like this:

1. PM me for an official referral form to hand carry to your recruiter. It won't guarantee you anything, but it will let the recruiter know that your were referred by an AST, and hey, every little thing helps right?! It'll look really good walking in there with a reference saying you've been in contact with an AST.
   1. Express the interest in going to AST school to your recruiter. Don't have a recruiter?! PM me- I'll put you in touch with one!
2. You will be observed at the recruiter office completing the following PT screen: 50 PERFECT FORM Push-Ups in 2 min. 60 PERFECT FORM Sit-Ups in 2 min. 1.5 Mile Run in under 12 min. and provide a VIDEO from a swim coach, lifeguard WSI, etc. verifying that you can complete a 500yd front crawl (freestyle) swim in under 12 min. *your recruiter cannot and will not be able to put you in a pool to verify this portion of the screen. You MUST arrange this yourself.

Once this is done, and all of your other recruitment prerequisites are satisfied, you will ship to Training Center Cape May for Recruit Basic Training. There, you will be required on Friday of week 1 to perform a PT test consisting of the following AST PT Screen Exam: a) 40 perfect form push-ups in 2 minutes without stopping, followed by a 2 minute rest, then b) 50 perfect form sit-ups in 2 minutes without stopping, followed by a 2 minute rest, then c) 3 perfect form pull-ups without stopping, followed by d) 3 perfect form chin-ups without stopping, followed by e) a 1.5 run under 12 minutes, followed by f) a 500 yard swim (the only authorized stroke is the front crawl) under 12 minutes, followed by g) four 25-yard under water swims, with a 90-second rest period in between each under water swim lap. Upon completion of Basic Training, you will be directly assigned to a Preferred Unit to train under an AST Mentor. These units can be operational Air Stations, Training Center Cape May, or other units that have an AST Mentor available to give you advice on how to succeed at AST A-School. The amount of attention you receive will vary from unit to unit, but the point of the program is to provide you with the information and preparation you will need to graduate from A-School.

Of course, there are more details. This program is balanced upon your PT test completions and the CONTINUAL assessment at Basic Training for the attributes to qualify for this program. The AST Rating Force Master Chief (Head Honcho of the whole rate) stresses that if you lose or drop your involvement in the program through lack of performance or interest, you WILL be transferred to a local unit (Ship/Station, etc.) to open up your preferred unit billet for another candidate. Talk to your recruiter for the most up-to-date information. This means it is up to you to work hard and embody the CG Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty so that you can earn this privilege!

Guys, this is big news for our rate, and great news for all of you that are aspiring to join the ranks of the greatest rescuers of all time (I'm a little partial, of course!)! Let me know if you have questions! Good Luck and NEVER EVER QUIT. -Graham