AIMster's Experience??

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BeachBum

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May 12, 2023
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My daughter did the first week of AIM. We emphasized it would be hard, had her read past threads on different experiences - she was nervous going into it. She didn't *hate* it but is now not sure if this is something she wants to pursue. She admitted she struggled to keep her eyes in the boat and was apparently yelled at quite a bit LOL. We are not sure if this is normal self-doubt or if this a good indication of needing to look for other opportunities. We have frequently heard stories of the kid going to AIM and it 'sealed-the-deal' of wanting to apply so looking for some feedback from those that have been there, done that. Thanks
 
After a 5 and a half hour delay, my DD is finally (re)boarding her plane to head up for AIM session 3, so you can give you her context in about a week. What I will say from lurking on these forums for a few months is that there seems to be, no matter the SA, a distinction between the experience of Beast/Plebe/Swab Summer and the academic year. That said, I think that, ultimately, it depends on what your daughter took away from the experience? Was it the yelling that turned her off? I can’t say, but that might improved after Swab Summer. Was it the structure and/or other sorts of restrictions? If so, it’s probably wise for her to have a conversation with herself about what she really wants and what she may or may not be willing to give up. For what it’s worth, my DD went to SLE earlier this summer. While she came back thinking that USMA is what she wants to do (we’ll see after AIM and CVW), she noted that there was a noticeable percentage of attendees who realized this was not for them.
 
USCGA is known to have the most realistic summer program. The AIM experience is to give your child a taste of what swab summer would be like. BUT, swab summer is only 7 weeks.

If your child has the opportunity to do an overnight visit or at least a day visit where they are paired with a cadet, I highly recommend it. They will be paired with a cadet in the major they are interested in and in the sport they are interested in playing. They will go to class with that cadet, eat with that cadet, go to practice with them (if in season), sleep in their room (they bring in cots), and will be hanging out with them while they are doing homework or having division meetings or going to clubs. It will really give them a taste of what their cadet life would be like. CGA tries to pair with a 4/c cadet so they still can see that they still have restriction and will have to study for indoc tests and things like that, but it is completely different from swab summer. While there is a reason for all the yelling and "eyes on the boat" and other things during swab summer, it is a different environment during the school year.
 
My son attended AIM 2 years ago and he pretty much hated the experience even stating he and other aimsters were crying themselves to sleep 1st 2 days. He actually lost like 30% of his platoon from people quitting due to it being so hard but a year later he was spending another 3 weeks at CGA as a CGAS cadet candidate getting yelled at again before spending 10 months at NAPS. He is now in his 3rd week of SWAB summer getting yelled at for the 3rd straight year lol but he really wants to be a Coast Guard Officer so as he says you just have to suck it up. We had 2 other friends who's son's also attended AIM and decided that the service wasn't for them and they now attend regular colleges. I told my son right up to reporting that he could change his mind and go to another college like his brother because neither choice is wrong. I would just say that AIM really gives you a good view of what SWAB summer will be like but again that's only 7 weeks and the life of a cadet is so much more then just that. Again your son or daughter must decide for themselves if the academy is their goal and it's a difficult but rewarding journey for those who want to pursue it.
 
BeachBum said:
My daughter did the first week of AIM. We emphasized it would be hard, had her read past threads on different experiences - she was nervous going into it. She didn't *hate* it but is now not sure if this is something she wants to pursue. She admitted she struggled to keep her eyes in the boat and was apparently yelled at quite a bit LOL. We are not sure if this is normal self-doubt or if this a good indication of needing to look for other opportunities. We have frequently heard stories of the kid going to AIM and it 'sealed-the-deal' of wanting to apply so looking for some feedback from those that have been there, done that. Thanks
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My DD attended week 1 as well. She came back with a similar sentiment. My DS is a 3rd class at The academy. The difference between my son and daughter is he really WANTED IT. Im not sure I can say the same thing for my DD. It’s a decsion only your daughter can make. Give her some time to digest the experience. The kids will end up where they belong on their own, bottom line for me. I just want happy kids.
 
My son attended week three last year and is a swab this year. He loved AIM and he is loving swab summer. AIM is the most realistic camp. He said on day two of AIM he was wondering why he came to AIM, but he really liked the cadre and kept in touch. Swab summer is harder because they yell more (he shared that he had made a relatively minor infraction and they yelled at him for 15 minutes) and because it is fairly intense for seven weeks sun up to sun down. That said if you don't really want to live that life there are many other fine institutions she can attend where there will be significantly less yelling and pt.
 
The whole point of swab summer (or plebe summer or boot camp) is to see if you can hack it in a high stress environment. Are you able to keep your cool? Are you able to filter out all the noise and activity going on around you, remain calm, and figure out how to solve whatever problem is happening around you? Are you able to quickly recall all those facts and information that you memorized because you might not have time to go look something up if there is a big problem on the ship? Can you stay focused and "keep your eyes on the boat" or keep your eyes on that person who just went overboard while the ship is rocking and people are yelling and somebody needs to keep eyes on him constantly (despite everything going on around you) until the boat can circle around to get him?
 
Unfortunately I'm not a cadet at USCGA right now, but I went to AIM 2 years ago in 2021 before applying. Honestly I definitely agree that AIM is the most realistic program that will expose you to USCGA while still having a similar structure to Swab Summer. All the yelling and Swab Summer-esque settings gave me a good glimpse of what not only USCGA Swab Summer would be like, but what other service academies' basic trainings would be like too. I'm currently at USAFA right now but all the yelling, teamwork, and other activities from USCGA AIM was similar to Basic Training here.
 
Daughter is a current Swab. Last year did AIM1. Went into not convinced this was the place for her but willing to go experience AIM and see for herself. She was challenged, exhausted and had a ton of stories when we picked her up. She walked away from the experience feeling like she accomplished something that she didnt know she had in her. We put zero pressure on to pursue yet she said to us she will be applying. AIM sealed the deal for her and it became one of her top 3 choices and the only service academy she applied to. She got accepted and is now grinding away.
If your daughter is having doubt then I'd suggest going a step further as USCGA offers some other opportunities to test drive the environment. Congrats to her for giving AIM a go, that alone is an accomplishment.
 
Remember that anyone who attends any Service Academy is sworn into the military. Their first summer is BASIC TRAINING. We all know (and kids should know) that anyone who enlists in ANY branch of the military, will attend basic training. They will be yelled at, and be motivated in other ways, in order to learn to operate in stressful environments, and to follow orders. AIM is not scout camp. It gives kids a 1 week idea of what basic training is like.
 
I am currently an active AIM Cadre. I can answer any questions you have about the program.
 
mesanova said:
For Session 3 - when is the PFE administered? Never saw a schedule of daily activities.
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It was this morning. Check out "pduddy pics" on Facebook. He has a few photos of the AIMsters headed to the PFE. Not sure if he got any of the actual tests.
 
ProudMom7 said:
It was this morning. Check out "pduddy pics" on Facebook. He has a few photos of the AIMsters headed to the PFE. Not sure if he got any of the actual tests.
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Thank you for the lead. I was able to find the FB page and see my daughter. It is a relief to get "proof of life."
 
JAH2002 said:
I am currently an active AIM Cadre. I can answer any questions you have about the program.
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Our DD was in AIM1, and is nearly done with her application (she planning to sit on it for a few weeks to ensure it's exactly how she wants to submit it). She was planning to use her PFE score from AIM, any idea how that's done? She saw in the application it who she would have to submit an email addy for this recommendation/score. Any insight? Thanks, and she had an incredible week!
 
kbat said:
Our DD was in AIM1, and is nearly done with her application (she planning to sit on it for a few weeks to ensure it's exactly how she wants to submit it). She was planning to use her PFE score from AIM, any idea how that's done? She saw in the application it who she would have to submit an email addy for this recommendation/score. Any insight? Thanks, and she had an incredible week!
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They explained to the AIMsters how to identify that they would like to use their AIM PFE during one of the Admissions sessions, but if she doesn't remember, have her reach out to her AO. I was there and can't remember exactly, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't as exhausted as the AIMsters were :).....
 
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