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but here's the deal with coast guard. because it really throws everyone off and kinda gets a bad wrap for the whole "dot" thing. Yeah, their budget is funneled through the DOT, but that's for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is that they have equally as much of a mandate during "peace time" as they have during "war time". That is to say, that the bulk of their peace time activities isn't taken up by preparing for war. Their scope extends FAR beyond a battle zone. Actually, very little of their charter/mandated relates directly to war. they do assist the navy with boardings and other maritime activities where their law enforcement training and skill will be valuable. but since they have such a scope, it's funded from other budgets.

Having said that, I can tell you that all other military policies apply. rank/rate apply. (they mirror the navy very closely, for those that don't know) They utilize the same benefit structure, the same dependent policies, etc. it's simply the $$ that's not military. BUT... when military $$ is changed by the boyz on capital hill, the CG is affected equally. It's just coming from a different checking account, if you will.

If I had it to do again, I'd go Air Force. They have the cushiest EVERYTHING (with the possible exception of the Coast Guard, but CG isn't "real" military, since it's DOT; no offense to Chris, Debbi). And drill instructor is appropriate for any branch. Drill sergeant is USUALLY reserved for the Army, though I believe the Marines may use it interchangeably (Debbi would probably know for sure here).