zfam

What's out there? Figured while we wait (and prepare) for R-day, we could generate some motivation and good anticipation. I found "The Guardian" DVD yesterday, haven't seen it yet, should I rent or buy?(ok, I figure if anything this mom can drool over the cast ;-) Hubby says they sometimes show the CG on "Deadliest Catch" tv show. Any good books out there to get?

zachogden

I'd say "buy" The Guardian... I didn't really like the plot/love interest aspect of the movie but the Coast Guard action is killer. The Perfect Storm as well as Bad Boys 2 feature the Coast Guard. There's some more info here:

United States Coast Guard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Luigi59

Set your Tivo for "Coast Guard Storm Stories" on The Weather Channel (every week day at 2:00pm and 2:30PM).

Not every episode is about the USCG, but I recorded 4 episodes just last week, all USCG rescue stories.

"Inside America's Military Academies" is also a good program from about 9 years ago. The Military Channel shows it quite frequently around Memorial Day, it's a 3-part documentary that deals with 4 of the 5 SA's (Kings Point gets left out) and deals with R-Day/I-Day all the way to graduation.

And of course, you can always rent "Top Gun", fast forward until Goose gets killed, cheer the USCG rescue helo, then turn it off.

zachogden

Goooooooooooooooooooooose!!!!!!

bearbit

A large leather bound book called "The Coast Guard" by the Foundation for Coast Guard History covers CG history from 1790 to present. It's mostly written by Coast Guardmen.

Also another coffee table book "US Coast Guard Academy", Missions of the Coast Guard by Roger Miller. The exchange store at the academy was the only place I've seen this one.

propeller

you cant forget "character in action" which is suggested in the handbook...which means we better read it!! i'm about halfway through and its an awesome book!

zfam

one of hubby's favorite lines...but his favorite movie, "The Great Santini". Ok, will have to check out the CG scene in top gun.

Thanks guys, you all are a great source of info. Going to buy "Guardian" and start looking for the books. And I will be watching more of the wx chan, Luigi!

So very, very proud of all our sons and daughters on their way to CGA!

zfam

Son got his copy of "running lights" today...The book is incredibly small and the font is microscopic. Hats off to you swabs for being able to decipher that thing.
Also received, "Character in Action", looks like a great read.
Bearbit, I'm going to give him the large leather-bound Coast Guard history book as a grad present....thanks for the heads-up on it.

zachogden

zfam, did you get the summer 2007 edition or the 2008 edition? We ordered Character In Action (just finished it yesterday as a matter of fact, not only a great read but a quick read as well) as well as the Running Light and they said the 2008 versions weren't done yet so they mailed the 2007 book.

zfam

^zach, good question,^
When I ordered it over the phone this past Monday 4/28, from CGA bookstore, the lady on the phone said the new edition was coming out the next day, Tues, and she would send that.
For some reason we got the summer 2007 edition, maybe the new ones haven't come out yet. Oh well. I'll call back Monday and ask.

Bet you all will get the '08 edition on R-day... 59 days!

CGAMOM2012

My d called bookstore in early March and was told that the 08 running lights would be out in 2 weeks so she decided to wait until her Academy Experience day (4/7). On 4/7 she stopped @ the CGA bookstore and the lady told her it will be in 'in 2 weeks' talk about deja vu! zfam let us know what you find out about '08 edition.

br2011

im pretty sure you wont be able to get one until R-day. i wouldnt worry too much about studying running lights. enjoy they time you have left to relax.

Objee

I wouldn't worry too much about having the 2007 versus 2008 edition of the Running Light...just memorize the mission and a couple of the traditional questions and the first few days of Swab Summer will be slightly easier for you. It's a couple years old, but Coast Guard Publication 1 is a great read for anyone that wants to learn more about the history and missions of the Coast Guard. It's even available for free online:

USCG: About Us - Overview - Publication 1

Objee

Forgot to mention it in my post yesterday, but "On the Wings of Eagle" is a great DVD which documents a summer cruise aboard the EAGLE. I've only seen it for sale at the Academy, and at a couple other military exchanges, but apparently you can also purchase online:

On The Wings of Eagle

Luigi59

Ten Hours until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do

by Michael J. Tougias

From the Publisher:

In the midst of the Blizzard of 1978, the tanker Global Hope floundered on the shoals in Salem Sound off the Massachusetts coast. The Coast Guard heard the Mayday calls and immediately dispatched a patrol boat. Within an hour, the Coast Guard boat was in as much trouble as the tanker, having lost its radar, depth finder, and engine power in horrendous seas. Pilot boat Captain Frank Quirk was monitoring the Coast Guard's efforts by radio, and when he heard that the patrol boat was in jeopardy, he decided to act. Gathering his crew of four, he readied his forty-nine-foot steel boat, the Can Do, and entered the maelstrom of the blizzard.

Using dozens of interview and audiotapes that recorded every word exchanged between Quirk and the Coast Guard, Tougias has written a devastating, true account of bravery and death at sea.