Curiosity question for Objee: How are swabs assigned to companies?

I read the following in the FAQs section on the USCGA Parents Association Web Site, which got me wondering: How are swabs assigned to a company?

• Is it random?
• Is it based on majors?
• Is there some consideration as to the best fit based on how the swab presented himself/herself during AIM, in their interviews or on their applications, or as they have gotten to know their admissions officers?
• Are requests considered (or is that laughable)?

Also ... once they are assigned to a company, do they stay in that company for their entire four years or is that subject to change?

I've heard that each of the Companies have specific assignments/responsibilities, what are they?


Alfa Company (Alligators): Regimental Health and Well-Being

• Health and Wellness Training
• Physical Fitness Exam (PFE)
• Weight Management Program
• Inter-Company Sports (ICs)

Bravo Company (Bulls): Regimental Training

• School Year Training
• Chief Petty Officer Mentor Program
• Professional Development
• Indoctrination Program and Tests (PCQ)
• Information Systems (Tech Support)

Charlie Company (Cobras): Regimental Honor

• Core Values
• Honor Education
• Honor Operations
• Honor Projects
• Character Development
• Human Relations
• Honor Training

Delta Company (Dogs): Regimental Drills and Ceremonies

• Drill
• Flags
• Rifles
• History and Traditions
• Special Ceremonies

Echo Company (Eagles): Regimental Public Affairs and Transportation

• Transportation
• Recruiting
• Sponsor Program
• Public Affairs

Foxtrot Company (Flounders): Regimental Operations

• Watches
• Conduct
• Cadet Regulations Review
• Operations
• Administration
• Emergency Procedures

Golf Company (Gophers): Regimental Comptroller

• Supply
• Maintenance
• Uniforms
• Laundry

Hotel Company (Hellions): Regimental Morale

• Community Service
• Morale
• Activities
• Alumni Association
• CG Foundation
• Recreational Facilities
• Liaison to Social Director
• Parents Association

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catchthefever said:

I read the following in the FAQs section on the USCGA Parents Association Web Site, which got me wondering: How are swabs assigned to a company?

• Is it random?
• Is it based on majors?
• Is there some consideration as to the best fit based on how the swab presented himself/herself during AIM, in their interviews or on their applications, or as they have gotten to know their admissions officers?
• Are requests considered (or is that laughable)?

Also ... once they are assigned to a company, do they stay in that company for their entire four years or is that subject to change?

Click to expand...

Admissions is only involved with the Swab Summer company assignments, so I can't comment on how cadets are assigned to their companies after that; however, Swab Summer company assignments are essentially random. We try to ensure a gender balance and an equal distribution of CGA Scholars (Prep School) graduates throughout the eight companies, but that's about it. I'm just guessing, but I think the 4/c company assignments are probably pretty random too...although they may take into account how the cadet performed during Swab Summer. Cadets will be in one company for Swab Summer, another for 4/c year, and then another for their last three years.

Thank you, Objee!

Objee said:

Cadets will be in one company for Swab Summer, another for 4/c year, and then another for their last three years.

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Except in the recent past (c/o 2016? not sure about 2015) where they stayed in their Swab Summer companies for their entire 4/c year.

I think the "incident" with the boards exams last spring may have eliminated that from ever happening again though.

Luigi59 said:

Except in the recent past (c/o 2016? not sure about 2015) where they stayed in their Swab Summer companies for their entire 4/c year.

I think the "incident" with the boards exams last spring may have eliminated that from ever happening again though.

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It also didn't happen that way before those classes. Prior to... I'm not sure... class of 2009 or 2010, companies during swab summer in no way reflected the companies during the school year. There were three companies; x-ray, yankee and zulu. Each company was divided into three platoons, (Yankee 1, Yankee 2, Yankee 3...) Each platoon was made up of four squads, but you really identified with your platoon.

Eventually that changed, and the eight companies from the school year were used.

I've got to say, Swab Summer can be a fairly S#$$% experience, so it's nice for swabs, as they get their shoulder boards and green collar devices, to have a "fresh start". It's also nice for their former cadre to see more of the class they trained.

And I 100% appreciate moving companies after 4/c year. I was in Charlie company my 4/c year. Wasn't a huge fan. I moved to Bravo company the next year. While we were scared of Bravo as 4/c, I really liked my classmates in that company and our upperclassmen were good.

Just a note on how things are trending now as a 1/c in the Barracks (Who was a Summer XO, a Swab Summer Cadre the year before that etc)

Swab Summer Companies, completely random as Objee will tell you. The past two classes (2015 and 2016) were kept in the same company after Swab Summer in order to maintain the unit cohesiveness they developed over Swab Summer. Despite some of the obvious disadvantages of this (not getting to meet more of their class, working with the same upperclass who trained them through the summer, etc), it's likely that this will continue because it does present some positives for the individual 4/c in each company (Stick with people they know, get a system that works for their orderlies etc and continue it). Also command in general is in favor of this, even despite the Boards Incident, so its my guess that it will probably stay that way for a while.

After that you will be shotgunned. You'll have no input as to what company you end up in, I'm about 99% sure they use a random number generator. I was in Hotel my swab summer, Echo my 4/c year and got placed in Charlie. The only thing that you can be guaranteed is that you won't end up in the same company twice, and you won't end up in a company with your sibling (if you have an older sibling or such who attends the Academy). Other than that it's completely random.

And while the duties of the company may stay relatively the same over time, the nature and attitude of the company is always changing depending on who gets assigned to it. Remember, the company completely refreshes itself with individuals every 3 years!

At least when we used 3 X,Y,Z companies, there was some "non-randomness" having to do with the football players and phases of Eagle. I think they were in the first two phases (so X and Y) so they could start team workouts in the final week (instead of being a ship).

Not sure if that's still a concern (but I don't think it should have been then, certainly wasn't a way to make friends with classmates "I gotta go do something footbally now..." "Cool, have fun, I'll just continue to hate life.")

I'm not sure if that's going to be a concern this year. Usually it has to do with Eagle, however, I can tell you that this year there are only supposedly slated to be two phases of Eagle for the Swabs.

A,B,C,D on Phase 1 and E,F,G,H on Phase 2.

Or so the cadet rumor mill says...

I'm not sure if that's going to be a concern this year. Usually it has to do with Eagle, however, I can tell you that this year there are only supposedly slated to be two phases of Eagle for the Swabs.

A,B,C,D on Phase 1 and E,F,G,H on Phase 2.

Or so the cadet rumor mill says...

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Well, as a member of Summer Staff...I will neither confirm nor deny.
I'll just say it's going to be a fun summer.