If I join the coast guard will I be able to choose where I go and what I do?

I am scheduled to go to a university for nursing in august but it costs a lot. I am interested in coast guard because of the GI bill. If I were to join the coast guard instead of going away to this university would I still get to learn nursing/ health care? Would I get to choose where I am stationed at? Would I be able to go to college and be in the coast guard at the same time? Will I be stuck on a boat out at sea for months? I am 18 years old and confused. I just don’t know what I want to do, and I don’t want to make a commitment that I will end up hating. There are so many benefits I have heard of but is it worth it?

The Coast Guard is a military service. You will be sent where you are needed – which is frequently not necessarily where you want to go.

If you are considering joining the service for the GI bill then I suggest that you do not join. You join the military to serve your country and things like the GI bill are just an extra.

The US Coast Guard has the motto: “You have to go out – you don’t have to come back.” Think about this. If you are not willing to put aside your personal safety and self interest in order to rescue a total stranger, stay a civilian.

St. Francis Nursing: CARE Clinical Advancement Program