The Belize Coast Guard will be accepting new applicants in September 2023. Interested applicants are requested to download and fill out the following forms and submit via email to:
Click Here To Download: BCG Recruit Intake 11 Candidate List 2023
Click Here To Download: BCG Recruit Drive Candidate List 2023
Forms required for applying for entry into the Belize Coast Guard:
Belize Coast Guard Application Form
Belize Coast Coast Guard Medical Appreciation Form
What is Belize Coast Guard Recruit Training?
It will take 12 weeks of intense military training to transform you from a civilian into a Coast Guard Sailor.
The revised curriculum of recruit training is focused on the transformation process of the Belize Coast Guard from a traditional service to a naval infantry service that will be able to fight from land to sea and from sea to land. While the program is concentrated on developing marine infantry skills, it included some of the traditional skills of the Coast Guard including:
i. Search and Rescue,
ii. Seamanship,
iii. Maritime Law Enforcement,
iv. Maritime Operations,
v. Basic Navigation,
vi. First-aid
vii. Fire Fighting,
viii. Physical Fitness,
ix. Foot Drills and;
x. Watermanship skills.
How do I know I have been selected to become a potential Coast Guard Recruit?
After a thorough screening of one’s application, potential recruits will receive an official response from the Coast Guard Headquarters notifying them of their acceptance to sit the one-day entry exam. This response will include important information such as date, time, location and other necessary requirements for the examination.
What do the one-day entry examinations include?
The candidates will conduct a one-day entry exam which includes:
i. Swim Test: This is a two minutes treading of water followed by a 200 meters swim that must be completed within eight minutes.
ii. Basic Fitness Test: This is a timed 1.5-mile run and must be completed within ten minutes and thirty seconds.
Candidates who are successful on both physical examinations will be accepted to continue with:
iii. Written Examination: (Math, English and General Knowledge) and;
iv. Interview.
How do I know that I have successfully passed all the entry exams?
Those who are successful on the entry exam will be given an official notification by the Belize Coast Guard on their success and will receive further instructions on when to report for recruit training and a packing list.
How long is the recruit training?
The twelve weeks of training are designed to develop recruits’ physical and mental toughness both individually and collectively at Platoon and Company levels.
What happens after I have reported to the base for recruit training?
Assembly Process: The training instructors conduct a thorough search of all recruits and their belongings for prohibited items.
Prohibited Items: These items include but are not limited to unprescribed medication, drugs, firearms, knives, cellphones and electronics. All confiscated items are labelled and secured by the training staff and are returned to the owner upon his or her official release from training.
It is encouraged for those who are accepted to commence training not to present themselves with those items mentioned. During this assembly process, recruits are issued gear and are introduced to the basic fundamentals of military discipline such as dress, deportment, discipline, marks of respect, courtesy, care of equipment and teamwork.
What does the twelve-week training entail?
The training entails the basic duties, roles and responsibilities of a seaman.
Recruits are introduced to line work, duties underway and duties ashore. They are exposed to basic navigation, and rules of the road and introduced to types of patrols, routine deployments and Search and Rescue. Recruits are taught in detail the safe handling of all natures of weapons and ammunition used by the Coast Guard.
They are taught the principles of marksmanship and must gain a skill on the Test on Elementary Training Skills (TOETS). This includes normal safety precautions, stripping and assembling of weapons, immediate action and stoppage drills, loading and unloading, making safe drills, magazine filling and weapon nomenclature. They learn how to shoot from every firing position and are then taken to the live firing range for the practical implementation of this block of instructions.
During training, recruits are indoctrinated to move as a unit and to follow instructions and words of command. They learn to complete tasks quickly, instill order and pay attention to detail. Tough inspections by the instructing staff are carried out to ensure that they learn to care for their equipment, practice hygiene, practice teamwork and discipline.
Will I get paid as a Coast Guard Recruit?
Yes. During training, every recruit will receive $505.25 every two weeks. After the successful completion of training, their salaries are adjusted to the entry-level Seaman Apprentice; those with an Associate’s Degree or higher, as outlined in the Coast Guard Regulation, receive additional increments.
What happens at the recruit training graduation?
The successful recruits are promoted to Seaman Apprentice.
In addition, at the graduation ceremony, five individual awards are issued. Those are in recognition of the:
i. Champion Recruit,
ii. Best Physical,
iii. Best Female,
iv. Champion Shot and;
v. Best Swimmer.
What happens after graduation?
All Seaman Apprentices undergo a 1-year apprenticeship period at various units in the Belize Coast Guard before they are eligible to promotion to the next rank of Seaman. Seaman Apprentice receives a monthly allowance of $400 in addition to their salary.