Hey guys, this is all varying advice. I just finished up my Plebe Year and I came up with a list that I gave to one of my friends who is going to the Coast Guard Academy this Summer as a Swab. I put some lessons that I learned in here that not only apply to Plebe Summer but also to Plebe Year as well. Its what I learned here and some of the stuff may seem basic but sometimes you can forget it.
Lessons Learned from a Plebe to a Swab
1.) ALWAYS be yourself.
a. During your first year, you will be pulled in a million direction by people you just met who you will want to impress. DO NOT TRY TO IMPRESS THEM BY CHANGING WHO YOU ARE. It doesn’t work and you end up losing parts of yourself. Be who you are 100% and everything will work out the way its supposed to. Usually better than you think.
2.) Swab Year does end.
a. Everyday is one day less than yesterday. I know that it may seem like Swab Year will never end but trust me it does. It ended for the upper class above you and it will end for you too. May 2012 is coming. I promise
3.) 1st Impressions Are Critical.
a. When you’re meeting someone for the first time, especially if they are an Officer or Senior Enlisted Leader, try your best to look your best and be your best. In the military the 1st impression you give to people is the most critical. So even if you don’t feel good about meeting them, push those feelings a side, be confident, and graciously introduce yourself to them.
4.) College Academics Are Not Like High School Academics
a. College is completely different then high school. The feelings of over whelming will be constant but not killer. If you don’t understand something, ask for help from your teachers. They are your best source and they want to help you. Especially at Service Academies. My Professor for Chem II sometimes stays here until 2130 to help us with topics we’ve covered in class. Trust me, they want to help. Ask them, ask upper class, if you need help in something, don’t be afraid to ask.
5.) Find Something That Gets You Through The Week
a. You can easily go nuts on the daily routine. Between running, rates, homework, watch, you will feel like you are loosing it. My advice, get out and go do something with your peers that does not involve the word military. Join a club that you really like and make sure you go to it as much and as often as you can. It will give you that little bit of escape you will learn to cherish and love. And you’ll meet new friends that you will have things in common with outside of your classes and company. Its really handy.
6.) Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions.
a. There are no stupid questions, but if you don’t ask a question, you may feel stupid. Been there, done it, if you have a question ask it, don’t let fear stand in your way. You never know someone may have the same one.
7.) Look at potential careers early and make connections with Officers and Senior Enlisted Leaders.
a. As you hear about career options in the Coast Guard, don’t be afraid to ask questions about it (See #6). Additionally, the best way to learn about that specialty is to ask about it. Ask Officers and Senior Enlisted Leaders who have that job in the Coast Guard and what their experiences a were and how to qualify yourself for that service selection. The connections you make as a Swab are very important as they will carry you until your Service Assignment night.
8.) The Relationships You Had In High School May Not Be The Same When You Come Home (Don’t Expect Them To Be)
a. Upon your first Leave home, you will want to visit with your friends and trust me when I say, you will have gone on completely different paths. Your friends will have freely been allowed to do what they want while you will have been held to an incredibly high standard and locked in a military campus. While initially you may be jealous, in the long run it’s not worth it.
9.) Take Every Day As A Chance to Learn About Leadership
a. As Swab you will be exposed to a variety of leadership styles by your upper class. None of your upper class will teach you the same and you will like some than others. Of the ones you like, take notes on how they lead and what made their style so effective. Keep those notes in your head, soon you’ll have to lead and you want to be a good leader. You’ll learn why over time.
10.) Remember What’s Important.
a. I know it can be chaotic inside the walls of a Service Academy and sometimes you may want to quit. But remember at the end of the day, someone said to themselves, I can trust (INSERT NAME HERE) to learn and grow as a person and one day become responsible for the lives of hundreds of enlisted under him or her to lead them in the defense of our nation as one of its leaders on the front line. I know at times it may be hard but the rewards you will later yield such as making a large drug bust or watching your Petty Officers be selected for Chief, will make all the hard days at CGA worth it in the long run.