- Joined
- Apr 27, 2009
- Messages
- 8
1) Don't write Cadet or Swab on mail. They don't have to be called Swab, but if the cadre get the mail, they might be a little teased for getting called Cadet, although it's not a big deal. (And they'll get called Swab enough w/o everyone back home calling them it, too.)
2) Send their roommate's mail, too. My roommate over Swab Summer was always sad I'd have a giant stack of cards, and she never had but maybe 1.
3) Definitely bring a watch, but don't get anything expensive, b/c the cadre sometimes take them away for a few weeks and they get mixed up.
4) Send things with peanut butter (the extra protein really helps).
5) Come with pre-labeled and pre-stamped envelopes. (It's the only way to get mail back haha).
6) BRING LOTS OF CLIP, BOBBY PINS, AND HAIR TIES, they get lost fast.
7) Come knowing you're going to be part of a team. Your company's friendship is what will make Swab Summer worthwhile.
8) Remember that the cadre, despite the red agulets, are just 2 years older.
9) Take fruit from the wardroom, it's allowed, and it's better than the stuff your family will send.
10) Remember that it's only 7 weeks. You'll get through it, and the academic year is soooo different.
11) Do 30 minutes of ab work outs, and pushups/squats everyday before you come, you'll be happy you did.
12) Definitely fire-shine your shoes, it does the same job 10 times faster.
13) The cadre aren't allowed to hit you, so don't be too intimidated, just be respectful.
14) Remember: you can hold the rifle up for another minute, it won't last much longer after. And when you're getting IT'ed, if it was a regular after-school practice in high school, you could do the exercise fine, don't let the environment get to you.
15) No matter how many bleachers you run up and down (that's what I got advised before I R-ed in) it's still going to stink going up to 4th deck from lower field.
16) Yes, when you hear, half-right faced, you're going to get IT'ed it's inevitable.
17) Don't get worked up about what's coming, think about the moment, and think about the shipmate who needs you to motivate them.
18) Don't fret about every little thing, it's okay if the nike logo is a different color, it's okay if your underwear aren't designed for old woman (but make sure they're white). Little things like this are not a big deal, I remember thinking if I didn't have everything word-for-word from the list I'd get reamed out, don't worry too much, follow the rules, but they're much more focused on your appearance.
19) KNOW THE MISSION BEFORE YOU COME!! Because you'll have to know it by the end of the day. Speaking of which, when they give you Running Light, start studying right away, because you'll have to know that whole thing front to back by the end.
20) Live from sports time to sports time. It's when you get to have fun, and get to know your cadre as humans.
21) Don't ever, ever, ever, ever lie. Be honest about everything, from how many pushups you really did, to falling asleep during training. It's much better to embrace the honor concept than face the results of being dishonest, because they will find out, and you will be punished.
22) Respect your shipmates, and rather than be mad b/c you don't think they're pulling their weight, help them learn to do better.
23) I know you'll be hungry a lot, and working out a lot, but don't over-do the wardroom food. No matter how many pushups you've done, you don't need a 4th piece of cake.
23) Swab Summer is the only way to get into the Academy, it's less than 50 days of your whole life, you'll be in the Coast Guard for at least 3,285.
2) Send their roommate's mail, too. My roommate over Swab Summer was always sad I'd have a giant stack of cards, and she never had but maybe 1.
3) Definitely bring a watch, but don't get anything expensive, b/c the cadre sometimes take them away for a few weeks and they get mixed up.
4) Send things with peanut butter (the extra protein really helps).
5) Come with pre-labeled and pre-stamped envelopes. (It's the only way to get mail back haha).
6) BRING LOTS OF CLIP, BOBBY PINS, AND HAIR TIES, they get lost fast.
7) Come knowing you're going to be part of a team. Your company's friendship is what will make Swab Summer worthwhile.
8) Remember that the cadre, despite the red agulets, are just 2 years older.
9) Take fruit from the wardroom, it's allowed, and it's better than the stuff your family will send.
10) Remember that it's only 7 weeks. You'll get through it, and the academic year is soooo different.
11) Do 30 minutes of ab work outs, and pushups/squats everyday before you come, you'll be happy you did.
12) Definitely fire-shine your shoes, it does the same job 10 times faster.
13) The cadre aren't allowed to hit you, so don't be too intimidated, just be respectful.
14) Remember: you can hold the rifle up for another minute, it won't last much longer after. And when you're getting IT'ed, if it was a regular after-school practice in high school, you could do the exercise fine, don't let the environment get to you.
15) No matter how many bleachers you run up and down (that's what I got advised before I R-ed in) it's still going to stink going up to 4th deck from lower field.
16) Yes, when you hear, half-right faced, you're going to get IT'ed it's inevitable.
17) Don't get worked up about what's coming, think about the moment, and think about the shipmate who needs you to motivate them.
18) Don't fret about every little thing, it's okay if the nike logo is a different color, it's okay if your underwear aren't designed for old woman (but make sure they're white). Little things like this are not a big deal, I remember thinking if I didn't have everything word-for-word from the list I'd get reamed out, don't worry too much, follow the rules, but they're much more focused on your appearance.
19) KNOW THE MISSION BEFORE YOU COME!! Because you'll have to know it by the end of the day. Speaking of which, when they give you Running Light, start studying right away, because you'll have to know that whole thing front to back by the end.
20) Live from sports time to sports time. It's when you get to have fun, and get to know your cadre as humans.
21) Don't ever, ever, ever, ever lie. Be honest about everything, from how many pushups you really did, to falling asleep during training. It's much better to embrace the honor concept than face the results of being dishonest, because they will find out, and you will be punished.
22) Respect your shipmates, and rather than be mad b/c you don't think they're pulling their weight, help them learn to do better.
23) I know you'll be hungry a lot, and working out a lot, but don't over-do the wardroom food. No matter how many pushups you've done, you don't need a 4th piece of cake.
23) Swab Summer is the only way to get into the Academy, it's less than 50 days of your whole life, you'll be in the Coast Guard for at least 3,285.