Heated mattress pads can be considered a must because the value of sleep is highly needed by anyone to live healthy. People needs at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep at night and this can only be achieved with the use of heated mattress pads. Unlike an electric blanket wherein it is placed on top of you as you sleep, heated mattress pad is comfortably fitted below you. There is a healthier advantage when heat comes from below than when heat drapes above you. There is a tendency of cold seeping at your back, or sometimes perspiration is imminent so the bed becomes humid and these instances are risks to becoming sick.

Heated mattress pads come in different sizes; and you can find the most popular ones as heated mattress pad single, twin, full, queen, king and California king. They are also fitted with a wide range of materials to keep it safe but comfortable and stay heated when used. These materials are suited to be used as fillers like cotton, down and feather fill, polyester, and synthetic to wool or wool blend.

These heated mattress pads can be costly for most people, but considering the many advantages it affords the consumer, the amount of money shelled out in its purchase can still be considered a good investment. With the acquisition of one, you can save on buying a lot of mattress pads that are easily damaged and fluff down. Cost of electricity is also cut up because it is considered energy-saving since the unit can automatically be turned off when it gets too hot. It is even cheaper owning one than having the whole house heated with the use of furnace, the traditional unsafe way of making the house warm when the weather gets cold.

Reflecting on the many advantages even a heated mattress pad single offers to the health and general well-being of the family, there’s no more room for second thoughts. There are several of these available in the market; and it only takes a bit of patience for you to consider buying one especially when there are a lot offered that gives the most benefit for the whole family.

A career as a Coast Guard officer in the U.S. demands a conscientious and dedicated approach to the duties and responsibilities that accompany the job profile. There are a number of options open for people that want to pursue this career path. The job not only gives you a chance to serve a humane purpose but also gives you the opportunity to stretch your physical and mental capabilities beyond the ordinary.

The department was founded in 1790 as the United States Coast Guard or USCG, as part of the Department of Treasury. Initially, the job involved countering smuggling off the U.S. coastline. However, todaythe Coast Guard is responsible for the promotion of peace and rescue operations.

Basic Requirements

The following are some of the requirements for becoming a Coast Guard officer:

-You should be a citizen of the U.S. or a resident alien.
-You should be between 17 to 27 years of age to qualify for active service.
-You should be a high school graduate.
-You should have cleared the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test or ASVAB.
-You should have passed a military entrance exam.

Benefits Of Becoming A Coast Guard Officer

-Steady Income: You are paid twice a month, depending on the specified pay grade at the time of recruitment.
-Chances Of Promotion: Your work is periodically appraised on the basis of performance, time served in a particular pay grade and service requirements.
-Paid Vacation: You are eligible for paid leave, comprising of 30 days in a year.
-Health Care: You are eligible for complete medical and dental health care, absolutely free.
-Life Insurance: You are covered under a $400,000 life insurance plan.

Training

The training for a Coast Guard officer involves training at a boot camp at Cape May, New Jersey. The training lasts for 8 weeks and is mentally and physically challenging. Water survival techniques are taught hands on. The physical fitness regime adopted differs for the male and female recruits. Candidates are grouped to instill teamwork and co-ordination from the very start. The ability to swim is not a prerequisite forthe Coast Guard. The selected candidates are given lessons in swimming and basic water rescue operations.

The Coast Guard Academy

The academy is one of the five federal military service academies in the U.S. Candidates are not charged a tuition fee and the academy offers various options to recruits. Some of them are:

-Civil Engineering.
-Mechanical Engineering.
-Naval Architecture.
-Marine Engineering.
-Operations Research and Computer Analysis.

All the options within the job profile of a Coast Guard involve rigorous training and detailed, specific education with regards to the department chosen.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted online, with the deadline being March 1st of each year. All inquires can be made directly to:

The Director of Admissions
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
15, Mohegan Avenue
New London
CT-06320 9807

Other Options

The U.S. Coast Guard Reserves offers part-time recruitment also. It is the perfect way for those in college or already working to gain experience withthe Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard also welcomes the services of physicians, dentists and pharmacists.
The job involves rescue operations, aircraft missions, interception of illegal migrants and port safety checks. The diversity of activity handled bythe Coast Guard is attractive and a planned approach to becoming a part of the United States Coast Guard is not difficult at all.

The United States Coast Guard Academy is situated in New London, Connecticut. Not many institutions can boast of the rigor of learning and experience the development of leaders among its student cadets and junior officers. Another unique thing about this Service Academy is the fact that it is one of the world's few, well-recognized and respected humanitarian academies – They are probably the oldest life-saving service renders in the world. A commissioned office at the Coast Guard Academy literally spends a thank-full career entirely at serving the community, fellow citizens and the country.

A cadet at The Coast Guard Academy, among hundreds of other young men and women, lives in a communally charged atmosphere, competing with the rest to lay a strong ethical and moral foundation to their careers, while the corps of the cadets is run by the cadets themselves, the community is rather diverse with cadets belonging to the U.S, Europe and the Caribbean.

A rather unique feature of the Coast Guard Academy, as already mentioned, is that the corps is run by the cadets themselves the Seniors ( 1st Class Student Cadets ), take up the Onus of running it actively assisted by their 2nd class Juniors and the rest of the regiment. The development of each and every cadet is progressive by ensuring that they are capable of taking responsibility and the skill levels to be had if he had to move one class upwards.

The United States Coast Guard Academy is most known for bringing out world-class leaders with an attitude only to serve the country to the best of their abilities. They do this by successfully taking up responsibility at a very early stage in their tenure at the academy. Honor, Loyalty and Obedience a few of the tenets which ought to be ingrained in every cadet coming out of the academy, usually turn out to be ladies and gentlemen of stout souls, noble souls with a firm resolve to serve the country and humanity.

The Academy offers a 4 – year degree program studded with subjects mainly pertaining to maths, engineering and sciences. The cadets are conferred a Bachelor of Science degree and the cadets receive full scholarship, unlike other service academies and have to go on to serve in the Military for at least 5 years.

Candidates Interested in getting into The United States Coast Guard Academy have to keep in mind that they ought to know if it is the right place for them to join and similarly, the Academy reserves the right to know the candidate better.

The United States Coast Guard Academy is one of the elite undergraduate institutions and hence also has exacting admission standards. Apparently, it is also one of the toughest institutions to get into. Out of thousands of the cadets, only a few of them crack it, owing to the highly selective admission processes. Proud of the legendry selection process, the cadets are put to trying physical, mental and professional experiences to be able to emerge as exemplary leaders tomorrow.

A few of the mandatory requirements for admission into The United States Coastal Academy?

- A proven and satisfactory mastery of a few critical subjects like Mathematics and Sciences and a few other engineering studies along with a high skill level in reasoning and mental aptitude.
- Exemplary skills as an athlete, with sound physical stamina and prowess. A passion for sports and games and the ability to sustain extreme physically trying conditions.
- An impressive record of social service, or community interaction and service or some kind of affiliation with an agency devoted to humanitarian service.
- An Initiative to take action and be motivated enough to assume leadership position, a team player and a person of high moral character, ever wanting to help others and be of service to society.
- Excellent intellectual and mental capabilities, decision making abilities and sound moral standards are a must in every contending cadet.

The motto fervently respected and honored by the academy, Scientiae Cedit Mare The Sea yields to knowledge is a reflection of the fact that one must earn the privilege to lead. The requirement to do so is exemplary character, sound body and a benign soul.

Following is an interview with a recruit in the Navy: "The reserve recruiter told me that now more than ever, the navy reserve is like a weekend warrior for the working man. He said I would drill for 6 months locally on weekends, go to a 2 week boot camp, and then come back for more drilling and training on the weekends. He said the deployment possibility is low."

"He said this would be my way of helping out how I can, while maintaining my normal family life and career. Is this for real or just blowing smoke at me? Also, I have a degree and was looking into reserve officer, but he said to join enlisted reserve first and work my way into it once I am in."

"I can't give you first hand experience but I too am real close to submitting my package for supply corps officer (DCO). From what I heard, having a master's degree with a strong GPA (which I have) really helps if going officer. I'm also a 10 year veteran. (Now age 33) If no masters, the enlisted route may in fact be better. I think it also depends on what officer path you choose because the competition would be different. Perhaps someone else will answer that question with regards to bachelor vs. master's degree and the Navy reserve officer program."

"If you want to go officer you should be talking to an officer recruiter. Don't sign anything until you do that and find out what the requirements are. It's pretty good in my opinion. It's very beneficial for my civilian job in terms of training I receive, which has resulted in promotions on the civilian side. Also, I can't complain about a 2 week all expenses paid "vacation" to Europe every year. Is it like the recruiter said? 6 months of drilling on weekends, 2 weeks of basic training in the Great Lakes region, and more drilling when I get back with little chance of deployment? He offered Cryptology."

"Think that the chances of deployment are going to vary based on what job you choose. The Seabees, Intel, and MAs can pretty much count on regular deployments. With regards to the basic training, make sure that you have it in writing that they are going to let you do the two week basic. From what I understand, the NRAC program is being phased out. You would hate to expect a two week boot and get stuck with a two month one instead!"

"I joined the reserves exactly one year ago. I had always had a desire to serve in the military, but things had never quite worked out. I have a very good paying job and decided to join for the experience and fulfillment. Even after one year, I can honestly say that I don't think that you will regret if you do make the decision to join."

"NRAC is over. The Navy might bring it back but not now. If you want to go officer at your age you really need to go that way from the beginning. It would be a lot easier on you. The officer pipeline is different than the enlisted. At least talk to an officer recruiter."

Source: Free Articles

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