Almost Old Guard?

LineInTheSand

USCGA 2006
10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
9,295
I feel like I'm getting close to "Old Guard" status, at 30 years old.... yikes,

Since I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy a new annex has been added to Chase Hall. I remember having old grads visit during homecoming and we were always amazed when we'd hear "When I was here, there was only an A Annex."

My cutter, USCGC VIGOROUS, just changed home-ports, from Cape May, N.J., to Little Creek, Va. I guess that only thing that would make me feel older is if the Might Warship Vigorous has been turned into a reef or musuem.

And since leaving my job at Coast Guard Headquarters (and the Coast Guard as a whole) CGHQ has also moved.
 
I feel like I'm getting close to "Old Guard" status, at 30 years old.... yikes,

Since I graduated from the Coast Guard Academy a new annex has been added to Chase Hall. I remember having old grads visit during homecoming and we were always amazed when we'd hear "When I was here, there was only an A Annex."

My cutter, USCGC VIGOROUS, just changed home-ports, from Cape May, N.J., to Little Creek, Va. I guess that only thing that would make me feel older is if the Might Warship Vigorous has been turned into a reef or musuem.

And since leaving my job at Coast Guard Headquarters (and the Coast Guard as a whole) CGHQ has also moved.

I know the feeling. Since I left, both the gym and library have been rebuilt, and now they're building new barracks. They built Thayer Walk when I was a plebe and it's in such horrible shape they're going to have to re-do it.

Don't feel bad about Vigorous changing ports. At least it exists. The Army is mothballing the airframe I used to fly.

Time gets away from us.
 
I feel like I'm getting close to "Old Guard" status, at 30 years old.... yikes,

Talk to me in 16 years. By then you'll know why I'm laughing at you right now. :shake:

As for my beloved Yard..... I barely recognize it anymore...:frown:
 
Don't feel bad about Vigorous changing ports. At least it exists. The Army is mothballing the airframe I used to fly.

Vigorous is one of the newest Reliance class cutters. It was commissioned in 1969. The first in the class was commissioned in 1964. It's been through two "mid-life" programs. The cutter, with following seas and a good tail wind, hits…. MAYBE 18 knots.

Reliance class cutters should have been out of service years ago. They're old. It shows and at some point it puts crews at risk.
 
33 years out.

No one is eating C-Rations, wearing steel helmets or flak jackets with ceramic plates. No one is spit shining boots. Every weapon system a grunt could touch has changed. Compass is replaced with a GPS. Geez!

Of course, pining for the "old Corps" is a time honored tradition in the USMC. Even someone graduating a year after you is looked at with disdain. Things were always tougher in the "old Corps."

Is this sentiment similar in other branches?
 
USMCGrunt-of course- at canoe U (CGA) I asked a few questions to the Cadets at my 15yr reunion. Their response was that they never heard of that and those things are considered hazing(probably for the better for you did not dare report activities to anyone in those days).

I heard the same thing from my USNA'78 brother and my USMA'79 brother. My son USNA'11 learned a lot from my brother.

Just like Zaphod mention the dairy plant made all USNA's milk and ice cream and it tasted great-not anymore(don't know when they stopped). But my son didn't have to crawl out on a windows ledge to close a firsties window because the door entrance would wake him up.

Or at WP my brother would have to hide clothing articles at various locations to make formation. Or remain at the Academy the during spring break plebe yr.

Things have probably changed for the better and many of the traditions are still intact. :smile:
 
USMCGrunt-of course- at canoe U (CGA) I asked a few questions to the Cadets at my 15yr reunion. Their response was that they never heard of that and those things are considered hazing(probably for the better for you did not dare report activities to anyone in those days).

I heard the same thing from my USNA'78 brother and my USMA'79 brother. My son USNA'11 learned a lot from my brother.

Just like Zaphod mention the dairy plant made all USNA's milk and ice cream and it tasted great-not anymore(don't know when they stopped). But my son didn't have to crawl out on a windows ledge to close a firsties window because the door entrance would wake him up.

Or at WP my brother would have to hide clothing articles at various locations to make formation. Or remain at the Academy the during spring break plebe yr.

Things have probably changed for the better and many of the traditions are still intact. :smile:

CGA82, my sponsor dad was a firstie when you were a swab. He was in the "Loyalty, Courage, Wisdom, Brawn" class, which he regrets to this day. I think the changes were less pronounced for him. He was an instructor for awhile, and after retiring, taught from of the Swab Summer courses. He also lives in the area.

It's amazing how many things change, and how much stays the same. Just reading through the letters to the editor in the Bulletin, guys from 1964 have SOME (not all) of the same kinds of comments as guys and gals from the class of 2014.

When you said "my 15 year reunion" I had in mind a date pretty recently, and after the quick math realized your 15 year was the year a number of my instructors and company officers were graduating.

I'm sure this held true from your cadet days. Company officers and instructors ALWAYS seemed old. Now I have classmates who are company officers and instructors and I think "certainly our instructors weren't THIS young when we were cadets!" I guess a couple of thick stripes look a lot bigger when all you're use to is a bunch of skinny stripes.
 
LITS, if you want to talk about the "Old Guard" here are Jack Engeman (USNA grad) who compiled 4 pictorial Academy books. I recognized one of my instructors in the CGA one.

He put together great books for back in the day. I would recommend them to grads.

The Coast Guard Academy: Life of a Cadet

Annapolis: Life of a Midshipman

West Point: Life of a Cadet

The Air Force Academy: Life of a Cadet

Give them a Google, they are cheap and neat to look at.
 
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LITS, if you want to talk about the "Old Guard" here are Jack Engeman (USNA grad) who compiled 4 pictorial Academy books. I recognized one of my instructors in the CGA one.

He put together great books for back in the day. I would recommend them to grads.

The Coast Guard Academy: Life of a Cadet

Annapolis: Life of a Midshipman

West Point: Life of a Cadet

The Air Force Academy: Life of a Cadet

Give them a Google, they are cheap and neat to look at.

I had to run to my bookshelf and make sure I didn't have it. I have "Our Coast Guard Academy" from 1944. Just purchased your recommendation on Amazon.

But the cool "old school" books I currently have are a 1933 Coast Guard Academy Tide Rips, which I got because it was the first one since the move to the current campus and even older, two 1908 Tide Rips from the "School of Instruction United States Revenue Cutter Service." Just looking through the students… "that one has a building named after him…. that one has a building named after him…."

After a bit of digging I found 1905 was the first Tide Rips…. if only I could get my hands on one. The Coast Guard Historians office has a 1906.
 
I have to fess up. I really meant to say I hope "Things have probably changed for the better".

I keep telling myself that and know that things do change.

Another wing at CGA? Didn't know that but knowing that the CPO academy, OCS, and all types of schools happen there now leads me to believe that Cadets at CGA have lost their environment.

The Academy is and should be for the Cadets.

My opinion from and old grad who has no say in the matter but thinks that the CGA has been slighted.
 
I have to fess up. I really meant to say I hope "Things have probably changed for the better".

I keep telling myself that and know that things do change.

Another wing at CGA? Didn't know that but knowing that the CPO academy, OCS, and all types of schools happen there now leads me to believe that Cadets at CGA have lost their environment.

The Academy is and should be for the Cadets.

My opinion from and old grad who has no say in the matter but thinks that the CGA has been slighted.

Well, the book you recommended arrived this weekend. I took some time to look through it last night.... great stuff. I really love the bird's eye view, seeing what has changed over the years. All the pre-Bender Blues stuff is cool too... how to distinguish a USCGA swab from a USNA plebe. Good recommendation!

Totally agree about OCS, CWO school, and the CPO Academy. In Yorktown OCS was the cream of the crop, now they get second billing at CGA (as I believe they should). The new wing on Chase Hall is still for cadets. There is a portion of a deck in Chase Hall for OCS, but it's been that way for at least a decade or two. At least they don't get a ring. My first OPS boss used to say "my academy days" in the mostly OCS/direct commission wardroom. Eventually we ask "Oh really OPS? We'd love to see your ring." Noooo, our OPS boss went to summer camp, I mean OCS.

Remember there was, for a short time, the "OCS Corner" in the Bulletin. I think that sent enough alumni up a wall that the Alumni Association pulled it (good).

For a time the staff tried to create CGA/OCS functions like Monday Night Football or sports.... but CGA cadets didn't care because they had seen so many OCS classes pass through that they didn't feel like investing in them, and OCs didn't care because they were 30 with three kids and didn't want to hang out with 19-21 year olds. Eventually, while I was there, the joint CGA/OCS activities were dropped.

I get what you're saving, and you should be comforted that, atleast from 2002-2006, CGA cadets were still the crowned jewels and the focus of the entire academy.
 
Totally agree about OCS, CWO school, and the CPO Academy. In Yorktown OCS was the cream of the crop, now they get second billing at CGA (as I believe they should). The new wing on Chase Hall is still for cadets. There is a portion of a deck in Chase Hall for OCS, but it's been that way for at least a decade or two.
I get what you're saving, and you should be comforted that, atleast from 2002-2006, CGA cadets were still the crowned jewels and the focus of the entire academy.[/QUOTE]


LITS, the major changes that happen when I was there were Macallister Hall (Engineering Bldg) added/renewed during 2nd class yr-was not complete until 1st yr, the football field was completed renewed 2nd class yr-it looked like the pictures in "Life of a Cadet", Jacobs rock and lower field rowing center completely renewed my 2nd class yr and Roland Hall was already in existence. To have the Academy solely for the Cadets/Officers/Enlisted/Civilians who were attached made for a great experience of all the facilities with little competition. The facilities were Top Notch then. I imagine that it can be hard use such facilities with so many others vying for them.
 
Well, the book you recommended arrived this weekend. I took some time to look through it last night.... great stuff. I really love the bird's eye view, seeing what has changed over the years. All the pre-Bender Blues stuff is cool too... how to distinguish a USCGA swab from a USNA plebe. Good recommendation!

I wish we kept those uniforms from those days-exactly like the Navy-shield vs star-the only difference.

Do they still have a bugler to pipe all functions-Formations/Reveille/Taps/Colors. I hated it for those guys. I had a roomate who would get up an hr before everyone just to get his lips ready for Reveille-I hated it too.

I'm glad you like it! Good history and tradition to be remembered and pasted down.

I have the Woo Poo and Squidley one too. They are great too!
 
Do they still have a bugler to pipe all functions-Formations/Reveille/Taps/Colors. I hated it for those guys. I had a roomate who would get up an hr before everyone just to get his lips ready for Reveille-I hated it too.


The Watch Office played a CD over the 1MC with the bugle-inspired stuff and a drum beat for marching tours.
 
No one is eating C-Rations, wearing steel helmets or flak jackets with ceramic plates. No one is spit shining boots. Every weapon system a grunt could touch has changed. Compass is replaced with a GPS. Geez!


Not to worry my Devil Dog friend... Nothing replaces the Ka-Bar knife. I had one in my ruck my entire Army career, and recently gave one to a new Eagle Scout. He was beside himself with excitement over that thing.
 
LITS, the major changes that happen when I was there were Macallister Hall (Engineering Bldg) added/renewed during 2nd class yr-was not complete until 1st yr, the football field was completed renewed 2nd class yr-it looked like the pictures in "Life of a Cadet", Jacobs rock and lower field rowing center completely renewed my 2nd class yr and Roland Hall was already in existence. To have the Academy solely for the Cadets/Officers/Enlisted/Civilians who were attached made for a great experience of all the facilities with little competition. The facilities were Top Notch then. I imagine that it can be hard use such facilities with so many others vying for them.

I got to CGA just after Satterlee Hall was redone.

While I was there, Waesche Hall had some work done (including the Admissions Office). The heads in Chase Hall were "upgraded". Most of my cadet career was in A-Annex, so while the "group showers" thing was "insteresting," it certainly beat the showers in C-D Annexes, which had stalls. "But that's more privacy!" True, but you also can't duck out of the way of cold water when you first turn on the shower.

I think the Observatory was cleaned out.

While I was there the Alumni Association was also built (finished my 2/c or 1/c year) and Cadet Memorial Field (the football field) was replaced with smart-turf. The score box was also updated.

What we called "Rambo Trail" which was the dirty trail down the side of the hill to lower field, through rocks and weeds (where you'd jump the train tracks) is now a nice bridge. Honestly, for my 4/c year I thought it was called "Rainbow Trail" which, in the days of Don't Ask Don't Tell confused me. Rambo Trail eventually made more sense.

The workout room in Billard Hall was updated a couple of years into my time at CGA (my old first aid classroom is now the workout room).

Eventually the rarely (if ever) used "Visitor Center" that was hidden behind Roland Hall, was removed. I think the only time I ever saw that center was when I was looking at CGA in 2001. I'm not even sure how often it was even open.

The year after I left the outdoor track on lower field, and the baseball and softball fields also were redone, and a portion of the upper parking lot (where I enjoyed crying over my Swab Summer HAHAHA) was destroyed to make room for the new Annex.

The Dry Dock was updated and a "Student Union" was added in Leamy Hall. The Exchange got some GREAT upgrades. Eventually Leamy Auditorium was upgraded too.

My best friend invited me up to CGA last year to attend homecoming (not our reunion year) to play in the golf tournament. The place looks great. We took tours of Chase Hall, which, at least in part, is now air conditioned.

The school has never looked better..... granted some buildings such as Smith Hall could use some love. I think the next time you go back you'll really like the changes. The place looks good. Of course, CGA always looks better once you've graduated. I think it looks better and better the longer you're away too.
 
I got to CGA just after Satterlee Hall was redone.

While I was there, Waesche Hall had some work done (including the Admissions Office). The heads in Chase Hall were "upgraded". Most of my cadet career was in A-Annex, so while the "group showers" thing was "insteresting," it certainly beat the showers in C-D Annexes, which had stalls. "But that's more privacy!" True, but you also can't duck out of the way of cold water when you first turn on the shower.

I think the Observatory was cleaned out.

While I was there the Alumni Association was also built (finished my 2/c or 1/c year) and Cadet Memorial Field (the football field) was replaced with smart-turf. The score box was also updated.

What we called "Rambo Trail" which was the dirty trail down the side of the hill to lower field, through rocks and weeds (where you'd jump the train tracks) is now a nice bridge. Honestly, for my 4/c year I thought it was called "Rainbow Trail" which, in the days of Don't Ask Don't Tell confused me. Rambo Trail eventually made more sense.

The workout room in Billard Hall was updated a couple of years into my time at CGA (my old first aid classroom is now the workout room).

Eventually the rarely (if ever) used "Visitor Center" that was hidden behind Roland Hall, was removed. I think the only time I ever saw that center was when I was looking at CGA in 2001. I'm not even sure how often it was even open.

The year after I left the outdoor track on lower field, and the baseball and softball fields also were redone, and a portion of the upper parking lot (where I enjoyed crying over my Swab Summer HAHAHA) was destroyed to make room for the new Annex.

The Dry Dock was updated and a "Student Union" was added in Leamy Hall. The Exchange got some GREAT upgrades. Eventually Leamy Auditorium was upgraded too.

My best friend invited me up to CGA last year to attend homecoming (not our reunion year) to play in the golf tournament. The place looks great. We took tours of Chase Hall, which, at least in part, is now air conditioned.

The school has never looked better..... granted some buildings such as Smith Hall could use some love. I think the next time you go back you'll really like the changes. The place looks good. Of course, CGA always looks better once you've graduated. I think it looks better and better the longer you're away too.

Wow, I will be very surprised at the changes upon our next class reunion. As they say "It's a good place to be from."

The Dry Dock used to be called the "Ratskeller"; many a kegs of beer saw their end there. I best not elaborate.

There was only one wooded narrow bridge down to the lower field. The observatory gone? Objee's cage? The rest I will just have to see.
 
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The Observatory is still there, just cleaned out on the inside. The last real bear Objee died on a farm in NY, MA, or CT in I think 2005 or 2006. It was in my firstie year Tide Rips.

I'm not sure where the bridge to lower field used to be. There is a long wooden set of stairs that goes down to lower field, near Douglas Munro Hall. The Rambo Trail ran behind Leamy, through some bushes and down the side of the hill. It was pretty steep and you had to jump the train tracks at the end. Now there is an overpass and stairs, in the same location.

The Dry Dock is really something now, It wasn't bad when I was there either, but really that whole area of Leamy is impressive. Ratskeller? We used to hear of legendary "Keg Orderlies" up in Hotel Co.

The furniture in Chase Hall was updated my 4/c year in 2002. It was the year of the spider, as some fiddle back spiders came in the boxes of furniture, so there was a scare in Chase Hall (in all honesty, fiddle backs are very dangerous, according to Doctor Dad, but the scare was a little overblown). It DID give us a chance to prank the Library Orderly. "Hello 4/C Swabbie, this is Lt. Bossy. I'm sitting here looking at a spider and I need to identify it. I need you to find a spider ID book immediately. I will call you back in 2 minutes. Be prepared to ID this spider."

Phone booths were removed from Chase Hall my 4/c or 3/c year.
 
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