Weapons qualification for Swab Summer?

NPCwars

5-Year Member
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Jan 29, 2014
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I've heard that the other service academies have pistol/rifle qualifications for their incoming cadets/midshipmen. How come the Coast Guard Academy doesn't have that during Swab Summer?
 
Cadets shoot during their 2/c summer while they're stationed onboard the Academy in basic pistol. The current Commandant of Cadets, CAPT McCauley, is a huge fan of marksmanship so there have been some changes in that the incoming class does get some experience in shooting. I would bet that more attempts are made to have incoming swabs shoot in the future.

I've never thought about it too much but my educated guess would be that the swab summer schedule is already full of tons of other training and the range isn't a priority because its already scheduled for later in their cadet careers. That being said, it would have been nice to graduate with my basic and practical pistol qualifications instead of having to report to my unit with an expired basic qualification.
 
I've heard that the other service academies have pistol/rifle qualifications for their incoming cadets/midshipmen. How come the Coast Guard Academy doesn't have that during Swab Summer?

This past summer, the Swabs did shoot (rifle and pistol I believe), but just for familiarization. There were no qualifications. I understand that takes place during 2/C summer.
 
I believe we shot, but not for qualification. We had some mean ole chief warrant officer that scared the crap out of me (figuratively). For 4/c on the pistol or rifle team, there would probably be an opportunity (I think that's how we knew who in our class was on the team).

Honestly, there's no reason to have qualifications over Swab Summer (and I have no idea why other academies WOULD waste time doing that). :rolleyes:

No worries, you'll get your chance. :thumb:
 
If shooting during swab summer is a factor in your application process, I recommend looking beyond that. Trust me when I say you will have plenty of opportunities to shoot in the "Real Coast Guard." I'm coordinating five different range dates right now for my cutter to shoot all our people through pistol, M16, and shotgun. You'll get plenty of experience, especially if you're interested in becoming a Boarding Officer.
 
And then.... if you want to carry..... you'll get a chance to play with OC.... and I'm not talking about "The O.C.".... :eek:
 
If shooting during swab summer is a factor in your application process, I recommend looking beyond that. Trust me when I say you will have plenty of opportunities to shoot in the "Real Coast Guard." I'm coordinating five different range dates right now for my cutter to shoot all our people through pistol, M16, and shotgun. You'll get plenty of experience, especially if you're interested in becoming a Boarding Officer.

I see someone is WEPS...
 
I see someone is WEPS...

Not quite...ALEO. It was decided that I should handle all of the qualifications and QPR for small arms since it is a part of my CART checklist. Got lucky...they were gonna make me Comms Officer. :eek:
 
Not quite...ALEO. It was decided that I should handle all of the qualifications and QPR for small arms since it is a part of my CART checklist. Got lucky...they were gonna make me Comms Officer. :eek:

Only ALEO? What are the division officer positions on your cutter then?

I'm right where I need to be with the EMO division
 
Only ALEO? What are the division officer positions on your cutter then?

I'm right where I need to be with the EMO division

WEPS here.... on a ship with no Boarding Officers, no GMs, no qualified BTMs... and there is still the expectation to get enough people qualified to carry for FPCON measures in foreign ports...

Excuse the phrase but... shoot me now.
 
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