Cadet Life

soccer1458 · 02-10-2006, 04:46 PM

Ok Boss, I'm sure you haven't had the oppurtunity to field many questions so I'm going to ask a bunch! I'm fairly interested in the Coast Guard (deciding between there and West Point), but I don't know much about it! What is a day like at the Coast Guard Academy? Do they do lots of training and stuff like that? Is it rough because the classes are so small (in your sons opinion)? What about afterwards, what are the opportunities there? I am really interested in doing Law Enforcement or Search and Rescue. I was wondering if the officers tend to do more desk jobs, because I have no interest in that. I'm not sure how much you know Boss, but anything would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Bossf51 · 02-10-2006, 05:23 PM

Thank you soccer you're right I don't get a lot of questions here due to the other sites I've mentioned before.
A typical day(and all this is based on things I've been told by my son and others) begins about 0530 with wakeup, shower, etc. Then breakfast formation, breakfast, military training. Classes begin about 0900 and go to 1200; lunch formation and then lunch. 1300-1600 more classes; then sports period(mandatory) from 1600-1800. Followed by dinner and then homework from 1900-2200(and later of course). So it's a full day. The small classes are an advantage I think. You get very personal attention and it's more of a family-type atmosphere. They are really concerned with your success and your future.
The sports program is very good at the Division III level. The soccer team is fairly new but is getting better each year.
I believe you are female and I can tell you the percentage of women at CGA is the highest of the academies, about 27%. Women can do ANY job in the service from commanding a cutter to Commandant. The next Commandant of Cadets will be a woman, the first. As far as career opportunities, the Coast Guard is the only service with law enforcement responsibilities and of course search and rescue is one of their trademarks. Officers are hands on; there are desk jobs but that is a small percentage of the overall force.
The Coast Guard Academy also has the highest retention rate of officers(grads) who reup after their mandatory service is finished. 85% of the grads get a masters degree paid for by the CG.
I read your earlier post about being disenchanted during your visit to West Point. Have you "beansprouted" yet? That is what they call the candidates that come to CGA for an overnight visit.
My son has a lot of friends among the women at the academy. The camaraderie is fantastic and the women are treated with respect.
If you have any other questions fire away! Good luck on whatever you decide.

Jamzmom · 02-10-2006, 06:02 PM

"I am really interested in doing Law Enforcement or Search and Rescue."

Soccer! You just answered the question. Since thats what you want to do, CG is THE place. Its the main reason the academy was founded. You really really need to do a visit to understand the realm of opportunities you'll have there. If you go, I think you'll make a decision quickly. It is a beautiful place too. My son said so! LOL

soccer1458 · 02-12-2006, 03:26 AM

Thanks for the reply Boss and JM! I've got another question...(be careful with me or I'll ask you a million questions quite literally

), do you know if the Coasties can chose where to post when they leave the CGA or how any of that works out?

Bossf51 · 02-12-2006, 07:43 AM

Soccer ask away!

As far as picking your first post, here's how it works:virtually all graduates are assigned to a cutter for their initial two-year tour. Based on your overall rank(which figures in gpa, military, and physical fitness components) you can request a particular geographic location at which your cutter is stationed. For example Hawaii and San Diego go very high. But there are lots of interesting locations such as Alaska, Florida, Washington State, etc. A small number of graduates may be assigned to shore duty for their initial tour depending on the needs of the service. Following the initial two-year tour a number of graduates are given their first command, usually of an 87-foot patrol boat! Others go to graduate school(courtesy of the Coast Guard), some are assigned to intelligence or other shore units, while some come back to the Academy for various assignments.

taffy · 02-12-2006, 12:16 PM

from what I hear from current cadets, more and more people are getting shore duty. I'm not sure if this makes the cutters higher or lower demand. Also, I think like 30 people (after their 2-years out) applied for 87-footers and like 20 got them.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wt/g-wtl/ocgb/index.htm

CadetTino · 02-14-2006, 10:52 AM

The Ensign assignments from 2005 break down like this:
Out of 205 graduates:

163 went to cutters (79.5%)
30 went to some type of ashore sector office (14.6%)
5 went to Marine Safety Offices (2.4%)
7 went directly to flight school (3.4%)

Definitely different from OCS, where it's odd to see more than 20% go to sea first tour.

My firstie last year went to Sector New England and couldn't have been happier with his billet. I think it shoots you in the foot if you want a twenty year career, but there are always people that want to five and dive.

Except for the few people selected as a PCO/PXO or for flight school after their first tour pretty much everyone will be going ashore. I think XO of a 110'
is probably the best second tour assignment I want to shoot for. (Keeps you out to sea longer.)

Bossf51 · 02-14-2006, 10:58 AM

Cadet Tino is a great addition to these boards. I have read his posts on the CGA site and he offers great insight from the cadet perspective. Welcome aboard!

CadetTino · 02-14-2006, 11:22 AM

Thank you for the kind words ma’am. I just try and do for the incoming prospective cadets what was done for me before I got in. I know I was full of questions and used every tool I had to learn more about the academy. I’m just trying to follow in the example of one of the finest cadets here, 1/c Welsh. And I’d say your posts are generally even more helpful than mine most of the time. The spies of the Parent's Association are everywhere...=)

I’m kind of surprised I’ve not seen these boards before; especially given how much time I spent looking up information as a prospective cadet those years ago…I certainly like the instant posting system vs. the moderated style at the “official” boards. I really think it slows down response time and stifles discussion. Plus I think part of the problem with the other board is their semi-official nature. Prospectives won’t ask what they think is a stupid question because they don’t want a school official to look down on their post even if the question is justified. Not that the Academy does, but scary things can go through you mind when you’re waiting on that letter...

I'll still be more active on the other board, but I'll try and pop in from time to time to give a cadet prospective on questions. Hopefully I can help any future 4/c. Later days!

Bossf51 · 02-14-2006, 11:43 AM

Errr...that would be sir...ha ha no problem(Bossf51)

Ha ha now Taffy can get his revenge.

CadetTino · 02-14-2006, 11:45 AM

*smacks forehead*

Boy, do I feel sheepish.

Bossf51 · 02-14-2006, 11:47 AM

That's ok you're a good kid just keep an eye out for a certain 4/c from CT who will remain anonymous.
While on here why don't you tell the board about last couple days at the Academy...i.e. 101st night and 100th day etc. The "old folks" like to hear about these traditions. Just keep it PG...ha ha

CadetTino · 02-14-2006, 12:00 PM

Hundredth day was definitely an interesting experience. It actually got moved back a week to 93rd day due to the morale party during the Super bowl. They did that last year too, but due to the accreditation visit for the management major.

My room is right next to the Guidon’s room, so I got a front row seat for 101st night. Lots of yelling, push-ups, rowers, Coast Guard trivia, and running around. Each company went on a trek to each of the eight companies, who each made them do something a little different.

The morning started off early with a 0300 spirit mission that left some music playing over the 1MC. The 4/c came out looking spiffy with their 2/c collar devices; the 2/c came out with slightly more…interesting attire. I honestly think 100th day is more fun for the 2/c. The 4/c may get carry-on, but the seconds get to spoof the fourths and relive their glory days as swabs. After breakfast orderlies were run by the seconds, with hilarious results. Throughout the day you’d see the 2/c “buses” doing formation moves like “to the rear” or “Counter-march” or flanking movements; showing off basically. Mealtimes were another fun time. After sports period and dinner there were morale events like dodge ball, skits, or just 2/c – 4/c meetings hosted by the individual companies. It was definitely an interesting day.

Jamzmom · 02-14-2006, 01:07 PM

Whats this!?!?!? How very cool to have a real live cadet here!! An 0300 spirit mission would have peturbed me a bit but I LOVE the rest of your description of the event. You speak in code for some of us. LOL When you say 4/c may get carry-on, can you explain, or perhaps Boss can? Why did so few go to Marine Safety Offices? Is it due to being selective? Can you guys explain what it entails?

Please come back when you are able Cadet T. Would love to hear more about a day in the life kinda thing ~ in addition to it really helping the kids out there looking at CGA. They are out there.

Bossf51 · 02-14-2006, 01:12 PM

JM's interest is peeked...ha ha

Anyway going forward I will defer to CT on most cadet-related issues but I can tell you "carry-on" is a privilege sometimes granted to fourth-class cadets in which they don't have to brace up, square corners etc.

The point of 100th day is 2/c and 4c switch roles...it's a funny deal from what I can deduce.