NMMI

I was wondering how NMMI works for SAP participants. What is the day to day life like there, and how is it different from the academies? Is there a summer training like at the academies? What can be expected? Formal Room/Wing inspections, etc.

Additionally, (and this may be a Coast Guard specific question, I'm not sure), I am to report to the Academy in July to receive uniforms, swear in as a coast guard enlisted member, take tests, etc, but what else goes on there? are you treated like a Swab, or how does it work? I'm sure I'll get the paperwork soon telling me WHAT goes on, but I'm curious about HOW it goes on as well.

Thank you all!

I can't answer the Coast Guard questions but I can help with the NMMI ones. My son was a West Point SAP cadet at NMMI during the 2006-07 school year.

The weekday schedule was similar to the academies: breakfast formation, breakfast, classes all morning, lunch formation, lunch, more classes until around 3:00, time for drill or sports, dinner formation and dinner, evening study time, lights out around 11:00. Things may have changed in the last few years but back then breakfast, lunch and dinner were mandatory during the week.

On some Saturdays there could be training, a parade, or some other mandatory event in the morning. After that cadets had free time until Sunday evening formation. Some weekends there was nothing scheduled so the entire weekend was free. During this free time cadets can leave post to go shopping, go to movies, etc. Cadets must have a pass to be gone overnight. You can also have a sponsor family that will invite you over for dinner or some other event on the weekends.

Cadets got a week off for Thanksgiving, 2-3 weeks at Christmas, and a week for spring break, plus federal holidays off.

As a SAP the only summer training is when you first report to NMMI. At the beginning cadets are called "RAT" and required to do some thing the non-RATs don't, such as walk a certain way, speak only when spoken to, that kind of thing. Cadets report in early August and the first 3 weeks RATs do a mini basic training. They teach you the military basics, issue uniforms, and do a lot of drill and PT. After the first 3 weeks classes start and the focus switches more to academics. If I remember correctly cadets are RATs until Thanksgiving break. The year ends around mid-May.

Yes there are room and uniform inspections. There are rules about what you can have in your room as well. No refrigerators, microwaves, or TV's. You can have games and music on your computer. To watch TV you have to go to the day room.

If you have more questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.

How difficult is the RAT basic? I'm in pretty good physical shape, but what can be expected? I'm not sure what to assume is true from all the military movies i've ever seen but I'm guessing its running, pushups, situps, pullups? None of my family has ever been in the military, and although I love working out and the discipline and such, and I loved my time at the CG Summer Seminar (AIM), I really don't know whats coming my way... Do RATs have to memorize things like the academy 4/c's?

Thank you!

Also, I was watching the DVD NMMI sent me a while back, and it seems like they have helios landing on campus and cadets rappelling down towers, and running around in fatigues with camo on...

What kinds of things like that are we exposed to as SA Prepsters?? it looks exciting

Capolo13,

Congrats on being selected to the CGA Scholars Prep program. You are one step away from New London. Life at NMMI is pretty much what WAMOM68 describe in her post.

My son is currently at NMMI under the CGA Scholar Prep program. In July when you report to the US Coast Guard Acdemy and walk through that door to sign in you are gone. You fill out paperwork, receive uniforms, etc. The cadre are pretty much nice to you during this process because your parents are going through a presentation about the program. You will be taught how to march etc. There will be a swearing in ceremony which they land a helicopter on the parade field. Once you swear in you have about 5 minutes to say good by to your parent/love ones. After the parents leave is when the real fun begins and the cadre really start yelling and screaming at you. You go through a mini swab summer for about 2 weeks until you leave to go NMMI.

You will do fine at NMMI and will want to get back to the academy ASAP. The goal is to do your school work and get good grades, then in 10 months you will graduate from NMMI and report back to New London to begin swab summer. Remember you are getting paid to go to school. Poor grades will not be accepted from USCGA.

The extra year at NMMI is worth it because it will prepare you for what lies ahead. You will breeze through swab summer. Send me a PM and I will fill you in with everything you are about to encounter.

capolo13 said:

How difficult is the RAT basic? I'm in pretty good physical shape, but what can be expected? I'm not sure what to assume is true from all the military movies i've ever seen but I'm guessing its running, pushups, situps, pullups? None of my family has ever been in the military, and although I love working out and the discipline and such, and I loved my time at the CG Summer Seminar (AIM), I really don't know whats coming my way... Do RATs have to memorize things like the academy 4/c's?

Thank you!

Click to expand...

I had to ask my son about this...he says the only things he had to memorize was the fight song and one long quote. He said the physical stuff wasn't too intense because they have high school kids reporting at the same time so it is geared so the younger kids can keep up. After basic is over you'll do PT with your service academy group.

Im at NMMI right now as what they call a self prep, however my roommate is a sponsored coastie. What has been said above pretty much sums it up. From every coastie that I've talked to they thought that there 10 days at the academy were tough so when they got to NMMI and were being told what do from a bunch of high school kids it was no big deal.

I would not worry about the indoctrination period here (they call it RAT week although it is really 21 days long) Physically it is not very challenging, especially when you do PT with the corps but it does pick up during the school year as you start to PT with other SA preps to prepare for the academy. (it is a class, Prep PT). Physically you should worry about being in good shape for your 10 days at the academy. Running, pushups, pull-ups, situps and other body weight exercises.

We do wear ACU's (Army fatigues) two days a week and then army green pants with tan shirt the rest of the week. There is a tower and full ropes course but as a prep you wont get much time on it unless you take it as a class.

All in all, the military and physical side of things here are pretty easy, but NMMI, or MMA, is a great stepping stone for the academy. As was said above, the goal here is to study hard, form good habits, and get good grades so you are ready for the academy the next year.


If you have any other questions I would be glad to answer them.

Hey JW,

I got accepted into Valley Forge and Im waiting on an acceptance from NMMI. Im going to be a self preper too. Can you elaborate on your experiance as a self prep cadet at NMMI?

At the time of this post its April, Have you been accepted to any of the academies yet?

If I dont get into NMMI Im going to go to Valley Forge. But I just wanted the opinon of a self preper. Im going to enroll into ECP as well.

Thanks

I applied to the USCGA class of 2013 in fall 2008. I was deferred from early acceptance than denied completely in late march sometime. After I was denied I took a step back to look at my options. I had been accepted to a small state college back home but I wasn't sure that was the route I wanted to take. I have wanted to go in the military for my entire high school career and over my senior year in high school I had really warmed to the idea of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Academy. I knew I could succeed at the Academy but I didn't have my priorities straight in high school so my record didn't really show my full potential. So, I decided to reapply to the class of 2014.

The main reason I came out here was to surround myself with people trying to achieve the same goals as I (get to the academies). The other reason was so that the admissions board could compare me side by side to other candidates entering the academy.

It is not always easy here. Sometimes I would wake up and wonder what I was doing. However, It can be done if you stay focused and work hard. Remember what your working for and try 100% at everything. If you do your absolute best then it is in the admissions hands. My thing this year was that I did not want to have any regrets. I did not want to leave this summer saying to myself, "what if I had tried a little harder".

I have been accepted to USMMA and USCGA and I am still waiting to here back from Army however I am going to USCGA. I can't wait to get to the Academy and I am sure this extra year has prepared me for the next four years and even the rest of my life.

The ECP program is a good backup if you want to go into the Army. You can even do LTC training this summer for some extra leadership training to add to your resume and the ROTC program will help you get into military life. All the ECP guys will say that ECP is better than West Point because you can get your commission in two years rather than five but they are obviously a little bias.

I wish you good luck next year and I will tell you that if you work hard, good things will come.

JW

Hey, Thanks for the response and congrats on being accepted into the USCGA.

ECP is just going to be my back up if Im not accepted to USNA, USMA, or USAFA.

I want to go to a service academy for the experience not just for a quick commission. I applied to the Naval Academy last year and still keep in touch with my BGO, he told me that if I complete the program in good standings Admissions would look favorably on it.

I'll keep in mind what you said JW, Im pretty sure you've helped alot of self preps that are unsure and future self-preps like myself.

Thanks

Are civvies authorized during offbase liberty? If so, how much clothes would be needed

Its only authorized sometimes.. Its not in the admissions packet.. or maybe I haven't read it thoroughly enough. Check the NMMI website. And bring enough clothes to wear... your not going to be in uniform all the time.