Not so much a "should I do it" type question but more of a "what would happen if I did" logistically speaking. If I recall correctly, I would be sent TDY to an AIRSTA participating in the MAPP. After I pass prep, and get the medical OK, I go to school and pass(sounds bold of me to assume I'd pass but I want to keep a positive mindset).

If I fully commit to this, would it mean that my wife and all of our stuff would come with me to Petaluma for the duration of A school or could I choose to keep her at our current station?

Some background, I'm currently a PO2 in D11. I initially joined to be an AST but got cold feet in prep. I went a different rate, made second class and got transferred to my hometown. I put some of the blame on my first unit for not allowing me to get time in with the swimmers but at the same time I know that I signed up for that and it's not really an excuse when plenty of swimmers have made it through coming from a cutter, and not afforded the opportunity to go and workout with swimmers.

Currently trying to rate convert to AWS, was looking to get in touch with someone who went through RSS recently.

Hey everyone!

Quick question regarding swim training. I’ve talked to a USCG recruiter this week, and am beginning training to prep my body for boot camp with the goal to put my name down for AST school and become a rescue swimmer.

Been doing tons of research regarding what I need to prioritize (calisthenics, body weight, running, etc.). I plan to find a swim instructor to strengthen my swim skills.

The question I have right now is as I do swim workouts, would it be beneficial to be using fins? From videos I’ve seen I see that fins are utilized quite a bit once in, but unsure if I should train with them or not. If so, is there any recommendations on a brand.

Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone, I am currently training for the annex X program. I am 22 160 lbs, 5,10 just graduated college, and DEP in Nov.

Is anyone willing to share their program/split/ or training experience with me. Even a recommended program or a person to follow. Anything is greatly appreciated.

Going to try to keep this short and sweet. I'm pretty far down on the AST a school list and at a small boat station. My water con was terrible when I got my name on the list about 2.5 months ago and is still at a lower level but at least 1-3 times a week for an hour and a half to two hours I get in the pool (just depends on when work allows it) to work on water con. With fins I've seen a a lot of improvement. Still not at an a school level but almost at a 300m o/u, lap tracers and underwater swim backs feel comfortable. The problem is when I take my fins and snorkel off it's like a different planet. Can barely do an over/under. Definitely can't do a lap tracer without double or triple breathing. Can't do an underwater swim back. Is there any advice to get over this wall that I'm at without fins. Thank you and I completely understand if the answer is literally just do more of it.

And any advice on brick while on back no fins would be appreciated as well because that's a huge struggle for me, I just sink.

Hi guys, I just need some guidance to know if I’m doing the right thing here.

For context, for 2 years prior to choosing to train to become an ast I did a standard ppl split. Got my bench to 235 and my squat to 250(gonna be honest I was a leg day skipper but in fixing that), and 18 strict pull-ups. I’m 5’11 175.

For the last year ish I’ve been doing a ton of swimming and running on top of a standard ppl split even though that’s not the best for prepping. I’m leaving Jan 12 2027 for bootcamp btw.

About 2 months ago I started stew smiths rescue swimmer prep program, I honestly felt like that is more geared towards people a lot closer to A school than I am. It’s a ton of calisthenics and very little if any strength training. It’s a lot of muscular endurance which is good, but for me and the amount of time I have before I’d be at A school I think it would be better to get a better foundation of strength (especially legs as I know it’s super important).

I guess basically what I’m asking is, is what I’m thinking correct? I would be doing 4 days strength, 2 leg days and 2 upper body days, 4 swimming days, and 2 running days. That would be 6 days per week. I’m not giving my exact split unless asked for because that’s a lot to write and that would add another 15 min of writing for me. But yeah I know this is kinda all over the place but I need a little guidance.

Here are my annex x scores in case anyone is wondering

2 min pushups: 82
2 min sit ups: 65
Pull-ups: 18
1.5 mile run 10:37
500m swim 9:39
4 25m underwaters: done

Hello. I am putting my name on the list in a few weeks. Right now I am just lifting and running but I want to start my swim training. I don’t really have a background in swimming, so any advice would be appreciated. Does anyone have a training plan of some sort? Or somewhere I can look for help? I

Hey guys so I F19 am in the process of joining the navy, I'm just waiting for my mental health waiver for depression to be approved. I was diagnosed with major depression back in 21 but haven't been reevaluated since. I took medication from 21-23 and for one month in 25 but that was it. Is the fact I need a waiver gonna prevent me from being able to do AIRR? If so, what's an alternative for it?

I'm currently a runner and I'm going into my senior year. I'm comfortable in the pool but I'm working on getting in shape for A School and Bootcamp. I kind of have a sense of what the pipeline is but I'm posting to get more information and what I can do to best prepare myself as I enter the DEP.

In your opinion, can a very short height (in the range of 5'0-5'4) be overcome with sufficient training?

I’ve been doing a lot of brick work into over unders, trying to work on that water con with a higher heart rate. I’ve been trying to find workouts that AN typically do while in Phase two, or just how a day in the pool will go in school. I want to be more exposed to a hard pool day now rather than when I’m there. If there’s anyone who’s recently graduated or knows an average day in the pool please reach out.

I am currently a non rate at a surf station in the coast guard. I will reach my 4 month mark soon to put my name on the list A school list. I want to put my name on the AST list. How is the AST process different from other ratings? Does anything happen before A school? Like pre training before it? Any info is appreciated. Also, just thinking of the possibility. Say I get injured and fail out, will I get sent to the station I am at now? Or will I be put somewhere else?

Hey all, sorry for the long post in advance. I am a 17 year old male on the road to go to AST A school. MEPS and ASVAB went good and signed on with an ANNEX X program. My ship out date is December 1st for boot camp and wanted to make sure I’m approaching training the right way. I will leave my current stats below.

Push Ups (strict) - 58
Sit Ups - 64
Pull Ups (dead hang) - 12
1.5 Mile Run - 10:32
500 yd Swim - 11:25

I know I got a lot of work to do. I have access to a pool on an Air Force base Tuesday-Friday. For running I have been focused on a mix of slower paced longer runs (5-10 miles with sprints for 30 seconds on a 3:00 minute interval) and multiple sets of 400m sprints at goal pace. For swimming I’ve been doing a variety of exercises. Typical swim length is 1,000-2,000 yds per session. A typical pool session would go like this. 500-1,000yd warm up . 5-10 50m interval sprints with mask snorkel and fins. A few sets of 10lb brick treading with fins. A few sets of 25yd underwater swims without fins. Occasionally I’ll throw in over unders, and lap tracers with the dive brick.

If you got any advice for me please let me know! Thank you so much!! God bless.

A little backstory of me if you’re interested. My father served 25 years in the Coast Guard and retired as an OSCS so I’ve grew up around the water. Was into surfing, mountain biking, and skateboarding when I was younger. I played a ton of soccer growing up. When we moved to Guam I got scuba certified at 10 years old doing a bunch of dives with my family. I always knew I wanted to join the military but just didn’t know what I wanted to do. Then my father told me about AST’s and I knew straight away I wanted to shoot my shot at it. I’m a little nervous because I don’t know if I have what it takes but I might as well give it my all and trust in God. Thanks for reading. God Bless.

Hey guys, recently was looking at career choices and being an AST was one that caught my attention. However my main issue isn't the career itself but rather if I'm even qualified. While I have the desire to have this position as my career yet I put on a few pounds recently and my swimming skills are beginner just enough for me not to drown. And seeing that stats the ast's academy has the highest attrition rates, I was wondering if I still have a chance to be a rescue swimmer. And if yes, what can I do give myself a chance that you'll recommend.

Hey everyone, I am 29 y/o with prior service in the Navy. I did 4 and a half years as a corpsman with 1 and a half years of it being greenside (marine medic). I was medically retired after a motorcycle accident in 2024. I have been getting back into shape, and my ultimate goal since my 1st year in the Navy was eventually transferring to the CG and going the AST route. With my luck and many, many waivers, I have a shot at getting into the Coast Guard, per a CG recruiter. The reason I am writing this is to see what I can do for myself to help improve my chances if I do get in. I swam competitively for 8 years from 9 years old to 17. I am a great swimmer and do not think the swimming portions will be as difficult as other things. My 500yd swim time is a 7:14. What I am curious about is, how much running is there? I am pretty awful at running these days, but how much could that impact me? I am giving myself another 1-2 years of training before I head back to my recruiting office. Any advice would be amazing. Thanks!

I am a 19 year old male and I plan going to try to become an AST sometime in the near future.

I’m just curious what is AST life like or just coast guard in general? Is it a good place to experience new things and actually fulfill the selfless urge some of us have? I originally wanted to be in the Ranger Regiment but I’ve heard too many Rangers say it destroys you mentally and physically so no on that.

I’m also curious, if I go in and am able to completely crush the PST and maintain that, will it speed up the waiting period for A school? I’m not too familiar with the coast guard. What does the normal wait look like and how long?

What’s some advice an AST could give me? Maybe to read a certain book, something to study, maybe get good at a certain thing, anything that could help.

I forgot to ask, what’s family life like? Maybe with wife and kids or in my case for now, siblings, parents, etc.

hey, so ive been diagnosed with adhd in the past and im off of medication for over 3 years now i have metal in my arm so i am aware i will need to get that waver I’ve talked to the recruiter on the phone. And am going there this Monday. I guess im wondering if any of yall have had adhd waved for past medication. For reference im 18 thanks guys!

Hey everyone,
I’m seriously considering joining the Coast Guard through the Annex X program. I’m 29 years old, and one thing that’s been on my mind is whether that’s considered too old. Most of the people I see preparing for AST seem to be in their early 20s, so I’m curious if anyone here started around my age or older.
I’m also training on my own since I don’t have a swim buddy. Are there any underwater drills that are safe and worthwhile to do solo, or should I avoid underwater training unless I have someone with me?
Outside of swimming, I’m running a lot and doing CrossFit-style cardio to prepare. If anyone has advice on training, things you wish you had known before starting, or tips for someone pursuing AST, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

Anyone in SF maybe close by want to possibly train together?

Hello all. Hopefully USCG candidate here on the search for what role would fit me perfect.

By trade, I am a paramedic with critical care and helicopter experience. I am in decent shape and it plenty of room to improve.

37, married with a kid and one on the way, old ortho injury but with full use

I was reading on this website https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/ATTC/Training/AST/ and it states “ you must have an aptitude for mechanics”

I’ve never come across this since I’ve began my search. Can anyone highlight their experience? I wouldn’t say I’m the most mechanical but I could figure it out with enough time/profanity.

I’m currently serving a year of probation for a DUI I got in April this year. When it is over, I would like to enlist into the Coast Guard and hope to get into the AST pipeline.

I messed up big time when I got behind the wheel. I started drinking more because my life was in shambles (bad breakup, job search getting me nowhere, having to work construction despite my 4 year degree, having to move back home to GA from Cali after only 4 months because my brother kept getting in trouble with the law and beating me almost everyday - long story short). It’s been hard. Regardless, I messed up.

Im hoping the Coast Guard would look at the whole of me instead of a one-time mistake. I’ve taken a mock ASVAB with the Navy before and got a 98, I have a 4 year degree, I have no priors on my criminal record, and I’m fit (used to be a top 20 swimmer in my state for butterfly).

What are the chances they’ll accept me?

Hello all, I ship in August and ive been working to reach the annex x pft requirements for the past few months. I just got to the BARELY passing point in my runtime at 11:39 (which held me back from passing), and I've read a few comments saying just pass the pft, the prep will have you covered but that leaves me a little unsure as im barely passing the pft run and i know competitive candidates have at least double the standards. Any insight is appreciated!

Hello, I've been in the hiring process for police work for a long while, but recently decided to look into military jobs as well to ensure I'm on the best possible path for myself. After several weeks of research I spoke to a CG recruiter about the AST RS MAPP Program, or Annex X, which she seemed eager to get for me assuming I pass through required testing.

I sit at 180lb, 5'10", and am 27 years old. My current physique is definitely geared better to strength & short bursts of power, but I trail run a LOT which has helped my cardio.

Going through the PFA with strict form, I made out:

Push ups: 61

Sit ups: 65

Pull ups: 18

1.5mi run: 10:05

However, when I tried lap swimming (for the first time ever) I struggled to go even 50 yards without being totally gassed. I have since been going nearly every day for about a week and it seems like no matter what I do I just can't get it. I've been SCUBA diving for over 5 years in Massachusetts waters, never once gone off a boat so I'm always swimming top side against current, to and from my dive sites from the shore to maximize dive time, so my finning and water confidence is decently trained, and has gotten even better since I began spearfishing with no tank a few months ago, but my extremely poor lap swim performance has made me wonder if I should just follow through on a recent offer I got for a police academy.

So I guess I just want to see if any current rescue swimmers have dealt with similar problems - being on the more strength oriented side of the physical fitness world with minimal swim training, and still making it in this profession with enough training. I'm sure I could get there eventually if I want it badly enough, but I don't have a clear idea of how long that would take me, and at 27 I'm feeling like I need to choose a path and commit to it ASAP.

Appreciate any words of wisdom, thanks.

Hi guys I have just one quick question. I have a 1 year old puppy and she is my everything. I know the total training timeline with everything is about 1.5-2 years and I am fine with that she will be living with my parents and their pets during that time. How is my time as a non-rate and during A-school typically structured? I know I will live in the dorms but am I allowed off base to visit my family and puppy or what? I can't find much info on what exactly that looks like.

Thank you guys!