AET vs DV
Avionics Electrical Technician (USCG) vs Diver (USCG)
Two Coasties walk into a station. One's salt-crusted from a cutter. The other's paper-cut from the sector office. Both served today.
"Senator, if I may: the AET experience can be summarized as follows — coast Guard aircraft fly when everyone else is grounded — and they need to work perfectly every time. The DV experience, for the record: the community is small — fewer than 200 active CG divers — and the work is genuinely unique." [Long pause] "And both of these fall under the same recruiting budget?" "Yes, Senator." The recruiter didn't lie about either of these. They just chose every word very, very carefully.
Recruiter vs. Reality
The pitch versus what people who actually did the job report back.
“You'll keep Coast Guard aircraft mission-ready by maintaining the avionics and electrical systems that make search and rescue possible. AETs work on some of the most capable search and rescue aircraft in the world, and the avionics skills transfer directly to civilian aviation.”
You maintain the wiring, instruments, navigation systems, and communication equipment that pilots depend on to fly missions in the worst weather conditions imaginable. Coast Guard aircraft fly when everyone else is grounded — and they need to work perfectly every time. The A-school is at Elizabeth City, NC and the technical training is rigorous. The civilian avionics job market pays well, especially with an A&P license and CG operational experience.
“Coast Guard Divers conduct underwater operations that keep ports safe and ships operational — hull inspections, salvage, underwater welding, and port security diving. It's one of the most physically demanding and specialized ratings in the Coast Guard.”
The dive school pipeline is demanding and the water is rarely warm or clear. You'll inspect hulls in harbors with zero visibility, cut metal underwater, and conduct security swims around high-value vessels. The community is small — fewer than 200 active CG divers — and the work is genuinely unique. Commercial diving and marine construction companies recruit heavily from this rating. The physical demands never stop; your fitness is your qualification.
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