Coast Guard Graduation 2009

Sandbar

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First a comment: I think that anyone who has the opportunity to study and train at one of the Nation's Service Academies is a very fortunate person.
They are all exceptional institutions.

That being said, I had the opportunity to attend the 2009 Graduation Ceremony in New London.
I noted how many graduates had active or retired Naval Officers for parents.
I am sure when these new Coast Guard Ensigns discussed an Academy education there was much dialogue and examination of each institution. I think it says a lot about the Coast Guard Academy and the Coast Guard when your parents are Naval Officers and their offspring decide to attend the sister sea service's academy.
I know it is ultimately the decision of the attendee, but I can assure you the decision is not made without the input of the parents particularly when the parent is active or retired military.
Congratulations to the Ensigns from the Class of 2009.
 
wondered, too

Glad you brougt up this topic. I too, took note of the fact that parents were from other branches. Is it that the cadets didn't get into USNA or did they make an honest choice to go to CG?

I'd like to think that those active duty and retired parents thought about the mission of the CG and the war times our country faces now and encouraged their offspring to lean to CG??? IDK, but perhaps there is some of that.
 
There weren't many CGA classmates who went because they couldn't make it into USNA. Sometimes, it's the other way around. Possibly, its the prospect of being in the Navy that turns someone to the Coast Guard. Also, as Coast Guard officers make up 3% of the entire U.S. Military officer corps, statistically there should be more non-CG officers.
 
I don't think that the military parents of these Ensigns factored in the fact we are at war. Whether you are in the Navy or the Coast Guard there are risks. For example:
Boarding vessels on the the high seas, seizing drugs or guns does not come without its risks. A task done in the Coast Guard on a daily basis. Each assignment has its risks. As time has passed people tend to forget that the Coast Guard has as one of its core missions National Defense. One need only turn the page of history back to this Country's major wars and you will see just how much the Coast Guard was involved.

As for an education, I was with some of my colleagues and we had a discussion about the Service Academies.Today, right now, it was felt that the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is the most difficult Academy to get into. My colleagues are all retired high ranking Naval Officers. It is only an opinion, but it is based on sound information. So I don't believe that students attend the Coast Guard Academy cause they did not get into another Service Academy.

Each Academy fulfills the academic, character, and leadership obligations they
are required to instill in their ranks. They are all great institutions. Clearly, the Coast Guard Academy takes its rightful place right up their with all the others and is not an alternative institution.
As members of the Armed Forces (active or retired) we all think our branch is the best, but anyone who has ever been there knows we all have a profound mutual respect for each other.
 
I can honestly say that these ensigns most likely chose the CG of their own free will. I know I did and both of my parents are retired Air Force. My mom does like that I chose the CG over any other branch because of the war but it was my own choice, my mom never really forced me to lean towards the CG. As for the difference in service academies, I have a friend at the USNA, a 3/c now, who told me that the CGA was harder to get into and harder academically than the NA. I suppose it's all about perspective.
 
I don't think that the military parents of these Ensigns factored in the fact we are at war. Whether you are in the Navy or the Coast Guard there are risks. For example:
Boarding vessels on the the high seas, seizing drugs or guns does not come without its risks. A task done in the Coast Guard on a daily basis. Each assignment has its risks. As time has passed people tend to forget that the Coast Guard has as one of its core missions National Defense. One need only turn the page of history back to this Country's major wars and you will see just how much the Coast Guard was involved.

As for an education, I was with some of my colleagues and we had a discussion about the Service Academies.Today, right now, it was felt that the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is the most difficult Academy to get into. My colleagues are all retired high ranking Naval Officers. It is only an opinion, but it is based on sound information. So I don't believe that students attend the Coast Guard Academy cause they did not get into another Service Academy.

Each Academy fulfills the academic, character, and leadership obligations they
are required to instill in their ranks. They are all great institutions. Clearly, the Coast Guard Academy takes its rightful place right up their with all the others and is not an alternative institution.
As members of the Armed Forces (active or retired) we all think our branch is the best, but anyone who has ever been there knows we all have a profound mutual respect for each other.

Outstanding post, Sandbar. BZ.

FYI - 39% of the Class of 2009 had at least one parent who served in the USA, USN, or USAF.

:cool:
 
It's also good to remember that the Coast Guard was in the spotlight in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. Many of the cadets currently attending applied/were accepted after that time. I believe the class of 2009 has already applied at that point, but the class of 2010 applied after. Certainly, the events of Hurricane Katrina put the Coast Guard "out there" in view of many had never considered it.
 
Haha, good point.


Luigi, I know I've talked about it in another thread, but the book "Rescue Warriors" is a must read!
 
2009 was already at the Academy during Katrina...they all got to wear the Presidential Unit Citation for their "efforts." :biggrin:
 
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