I started this blog when I initially started my application to the Canadian Coast Guard College (that was in 2012!). Unfortunately, last year I did not succeed. This year, however, I’m trying again.

There are a few things I should note. This isn’t a guide or a how-to. It’s a place for me to put my thoughts. I had not intended this to be popular, or even show up on search results. When I initially started researching a career in the Canadian Coast Guard, there wasn’t much information out there not created by the Government. I was hoping that I could let others who were searching find this and just know that other people are applying and waiting too.

I’ll be updating a few things as I go, some stuff may get deleted. Here’s what I wrote the first time around.

I am applying to the Canadian Coast Guard College for the 2013 intake of the Officer Training Program, Marine Navigation. There are a couple of reasons why I am documenting this:

I can’t sleep at night. My brain is too active and I’m hoping, that by writing my thoughts down, I’ll be able to calm it somewhat so that I can sleep. The more I search for information about the college, the application process or anything else, the less I seem to be able to find. This could help anybody else that’s going through what I’m going through now, or in the future. This will be fun.

I am not a professional writer; therefore, my writing style is organic. At least, what I think comes out through my finger tips, if something doesn’t make sense, welcome to my mind. At the top of the page there are various pages that I’ve put together. They are not static. I will be changing them and updating them as I get more information. The posts will be structured so as to tell a story. Every once in a while, there will be a short… rant. Well, it’ll be more of a brief moment of frustration or a revelation that I need to get off my chest.

A quick about me section: I have always lived within about a 1 minute drive of the ocean. I grew up and currently reside in Victoria, British Columbia. My first summer job (volunteer) was as a Sailing Instructor at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association and soon after that I was a CYA certified Sailing Instructor teaching with my coach at the Disabled Sailing Association. I taught there for 2 years, while upgrading my certificates to an advanced sailing instructor, until I took over for my boss, mentor and coach, to become the Program Manager. As the Program Manger, I was responsible for training the staff and volunteers on how to maintain the fleet, and how to properly operate the safety boat. I was the emergency coordinator whenever it came down to a situation where I felt my instructors needed assistance on the water and I implemented a renewed emergency action plan that incorporated: search and rescue, earthquake and tsunami procedures as well as on the water medical emergencies. After that I took a year off (while working at the local boating supplies store Bosun’s Locker) and then returned after completing my Professional Photography Diploma. When I returned, one of my staff was the Program Manager and I came in as an assistant instructor once again. I was involved in racing, but after my trip to Australia, I drifted (no pun intended) away from sailing. Fast forward to a August 2012 and I started to get more interested in sailing again and have now joined with the Oak Bay Sea Rescue (RCMSAR #33) to provide on the water assistance and get a taste of what the Coast Guard may be like.

Sorry, that wasn’t quick at all.