Career as a Coast Guard

COAST GUARD

POST 26/11 THE FUNCTIONS AND THE POWERS VESTED WITH THE INDIAN COAST GUARD HAVE GAINED A GREAT DEAL OF PROMINENCE.

The Indian Coast Guard, the fourth wing of the Armed Forces of the Union, operates under the Ministry of Defense. It plays a non-military maritime role in protecting the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering an area of 2.02 million square kilometers.

This paramilitary force comes into action not only during war, but also during peace times. It assists the Indian Customs Department in anti-smuggling and poaching operations, protects national interests in high-risk areas and carries out SAR, anti-pollution and search and rescue operations. While the Indian Navy protects the high seas, the Indian Coast Guard oversees the area between 10 and 30 nautical miles from the shore.

SCOPE:
You can join as a Navnik, a Yantrik or as an Assistant Commandant. There are two branches - General Duty and Technical. The former is the operational division while the latter manages the equipments. Officers in Technical Branch have ample opportunity to keep themselves informed about developments in the engineering world through frequent technical training.

This may come as a surprise but the Indian Coast Guard is also a viable option if you want to soar high in the skies. As a pilot/navigator of the General Duty Branch, you can embark a ship as well as work in the Shore Air-Stations and operate fixed wing aircraft for surveillance of the EEZ or fly helicopters for local surveillance or for search and rescue operations.

ELIGIBILITY:
"It is not the fancy designations or the pay which matters in the paramilitary forces. It is the call of duty to serve the nation"

For each level there is educational and physical specifications depending on the duties the recruit has to perform. As in all defense services, physical fitness is vital- optimum height, weight proportionate to height, eyesight, etc. Even the length of legs matter for some of the profiles! Age as on 1st July of the year of recruitment is also a determining factor.

Salunke draws attention to the fact that "most youngsters are unaware of the entry route after class 10 assuming that NDA is the only way to join."

SELECTION PROCESS:
Coast Guard officers are recruited twice a year depending on the commencement dates of basic training at the Naval Academy. Applications are invited through advertisements in English and Hindi national dailies, the employment exchange and the Indian Coast Guard Website (http://www.indiancoastguard.nic.in/).

The comprehensive selection process may comprise of all or any of the following:

• Selection test

• Mental ability test

• Entrance test

• Interview

Qualified candidates need to undergo a medical examination. Only those who clear the medical examination are selected. The selection is based on merit and the number of vacancies available.

TRAINING:
The Indian Navy takes care of the training requirements of the Indian Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers are trained along with naval officers at various naval training establishments. On the completion of a 72-week basic training at a naval training establishment/ship, these officers are given Coast Guard specific training for eight weeks at the Coast Guard Training Centre at Kochi. Assistant Commandant Officers, however, are also given a ten-day short course on personality development before their basic training at the Naval Academy.

BEYOND BASICS:
Further, specialized training is performance-based. Advanced training is given in Navigation and Direction, Communication, Gunnery, Logistic, Metrology and Information Technology. Technical entry officers, after finishing a specialized training in electrical and mechanical branches, are selected for advanced training at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Armament Technology, Pune. Deserving officers are also given specialized training abroad with reputed organizations such as the US Coast Guard, in fields like Marine Pollution Control, Search and Rescue, and Crisis Management. Coast Guard officers are also trained in inter-service training establishments such as the Defense Services Staff College, College of Defense Management and National Defense College.

Officers of the aviation arm of the Indian Coast Guard are trained by the Indian Air Force. Coast Guard pilots undergo training along with the Indian Air Force at the Basic Flying Training School at Allahabad. Advanced training such as the QFI course is given at the Air Force Station Tambaram, Chennai.

So, if you have a patriotic streak and are looking for a fair dose of excitement and adventure the Indian Coast Guard is one of the best options.
For more details, visit http://www.indiancoastguard.nic.in/