4th Class Answering Questions

futurebear2022

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Mar 9, 2018
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I’m currently a 4/c at the academy and I am open to answering any questions that you all might have about the Academy for the day. Please know that no question is too weird, I probably had all of the same questions that you did!
 
I’m currently a 4/c at the academy and I am open to answering any questions that you all might have about the Academy for the day. Please know that no question is too weird, I probably had all of the same questions that you did!
If a Cadre at the AIM program recommends you, how much weight does that carry with admissions?
 
I’m currently a 4/c at the academy and I am open to answering any questions that you all might have about the Academy for the day. Please know that no question is too weird, I probably had all of the same questions that you did!
If a Cadre at the AIM program recommends you, how much weight does that carry with admissions?

In all fairness to @futurebear2022 - this is not something that a current cadet can reasonably answer. The "secret formula" to the WCS is closely guarded - many of us may have opinion on how much a cadre AIM recommendation will contribute to the WCS, but most of us really don't know. IMHO.
 
Concur with @FMHS-79, you are asking a brand new 4/c questions that frankly do not pertain to him/her.

For those viewing this thread - recommend you use this opportunity to go beyond chances and application questions. Pick this person's brain, ask them about preparing, their Swab Summer experience, transitioning to the Academic year, learning to balance priorities, the standards that are expected of you as a 4/c, etc. You have the opportunity to ask any question of a relatively anonymous person in a relatively anonymous way. Do not use this as another thread to list your accomplishments - all they will be able to tell you is their application profile and that's one out of several hundred offered an appointment.

Every year, this forum ebbs and flows - around this time, its always application questions but rarely do people take the time to ask substantive questions about current cadets' experiences. Use it as an opportunity to make sure this is what you want to do. If you did AIM, you may have an idea but AIM is not Swab Summer and its not the Academic four year experience. Ask graduates what their careers have been like - because, at the end of the day, it's not USCGA that truly matters - it's the 5 year + service commitment that comes afterwards.
 
@FMHS-79 and @trackandfield08 I completely understand not being able to answer. As a candidate, we have a lot of question on admissions and when I saw "No questions to weird" I had to ask. It never hurts to questions or ask. The only dumb questions are the ones we never ask...

@futurebear2022 - What is one advice you would give to perspective swab summer cadets to prepare for the physical and mental endurance?
 
How IS the cow?



No no...
She walks, she talks...

I got the Running Light before reporting to Swab Summer in 2002. I was SURE I would memorize everything before R Day and I'd be awesome. I didn't and I wasn't.

But one thing I found out as I read the indoc was "head" meant bathroom.... because of awhile when I read "clean out the head" I thought it had to do with forgetting things...
 
@FMHS-79 and @trackandfield08 I completely understand not being able to answer. As a candidate, we have a lot of question on admissions and when I saw "No questions to weird" I had to ask. It never hurts to questions or ask. The only dumb questions are the ones we never ask...

@futurebear2022 - What is one advice you would give to perspective swab summer cadets to prepare for the physical and mental endurance?

I'll partially agree with you - it is never a bad thing to ask a question - otherwise you may never know the answer. However, it is often more helpful and more efficient to take who your audience is into account when asking the question. There are Admissions representatives on this forum - you also have access to Admissions Partners and your Admissions Officer through USCGA website - they are a better audience for that question than a cadet-initiated thread.

Your second question is an excellent question and definitely one OP should be able to answer. I am not criticizing your original question or you - I simply wanted to point out the types of questions better suited for this thread and to hopefully stretch peoples' mindsets outside of the Chance Me and Application questions. The application is straight forward and Admissions can answer those questions all day long - but the beauty of this form is the mostly unfiltered information you get about experiences. I've been on this forum for almost 10 years - there will always be a cycle for how questions are asked - but I would be remiss in not helping to point candidates in the more effective direction when it comes to this type of situation - people did it for me when I applied and attended AIM 10 years ago. It is nice to give back. Several of us on this forum have been swabs, cadets, cadre, cadet leadership, first tour junior officers aboard ships, follow on leadership positions on ships, engineering tours, intelligence tours, public affiairs, now-civilians who can explain the transition process from CG to the "real world." We're all on this forum voluntarily and to help - its nice to see this forum helping you in the same way it helped a lot of us.
 
My DS received a LOA. He is planning on attending what is the best advice that you have for him for swab Summer.
 
I'll jump in and answer the advice for Swab Summer question. My advice would be to take it day by day and have fun. Let me explain.

Talk to anybody who's been through any type of basic military training ever and they'll tell you it pretty much sucks, but the attitude you take towards it can make a big difference. Objectively, I did pretty well in Swab Summer. I woke up every day with the idea of going to learn something new, whether that be how to sail or handle a tugboat or something more mundane like the nautical signal flags. In my opinion, the more you throw yourself into that, the more you'll develop as a cadet, as a leader, and as someone "with a liking for the sea and its lore." Plus, it's just a more fun, glass-half-full outlook.

During Swab Summer especially but really anytime here in New London, the days are long but the weeks are short. Based on my limited experience on Eagle this summer, I suspect that doesn't change in the fleet. Maybe @trackandfield08 can chime in on that.
 
futurebear2022: How are you posting on this site? My DS was not allowed to use social media at all during 4C year.
 
I’m currently a 4/c at the academy and I am open to answering any questions that you all might have about the Academy for the day. Please know that no question is too weird, I probably had all of the same questions that you did!
Are you allowed to wear an iWatch?
 
I’m currently a 4/c at the academy and I am open to answering any questions that you all might have about the Academy for the day. Please know that no question is too weird, I probably had all of the same questions that you did!
Are you allowed to wear an iWatch?
After Swab Summer yes, but it just has to meet the standards, so I'd go with a black or dark blue band. Gold, silver, and brown (as in leather) are also fine if you're looking for one of the fancy bands (I don't know much about iWatches). These colors are for all watches, not just smartwatches.
 
When do you redo your CFT? Is it done at the end of the swab summer then every semester after that? Am I understanding the standard correctly the minimum for a 4th cadet is a 165?
 
When do you redo your CFT? Is it done at the end of the swab summer then every semester after that? Am I understanding the standard correctly the minimum for a 4th cadet is a 165?

Assuming things have not changed since I was a cadet -

The Physical Fitness Exam (PFE), not CFT, is completed multiple times throughout swab summer - including the first week of swab summer. After the summer, you will take it at the beginning of every semester as a class (by assigned company).

For the minimum, in order to earn a pass, every cadet must score at least 200 points. If you fall below a 200, you are placed on PFE Probation Level I - this is where the 165 comes in. Every class has a minimum score - I think its 4/c - 165, 3/c - 175, 2/c - 185, 1/c - 200. This the minimum score you must hit to meet your class standard. If you do not meet this score, you are placed on PFE Probation Level II. In order to get off of probation, you need to pass the PFE twice for each level.

Example: You take it at the beginning of the semester and score a 160 - Level II Probation. You workout, go to the morning workouts, take the PFE twice and get a 175 and a 185. Above your class minimum, but below a 200. Now, you move from Level II to Level I. You keep working out and then you finally get a 205 and a 215 - now you're off probation.

These PFEs are taken throughout the semester, usually during lunch periods (at least when I was there) and mandatory morning workouts are held. If you pass, you're good to go. If you don't, you will be recommended for disenrollment because you cannot meet the standard.

Moral of the story? Don't shoot for the class standard and don't even shoot for the 200. Shoot for a 300 (maximum) because then if you don't meet it, you'll still comfortably pass. Trust me, you don't want to have to be worrying about passing the test every semester for four years. It only adds stress to an already busy schedule. Besides, sitting at a 165 going into swab summer means you're not physically prepared for swab summer - and you will struggle.

I'll jump in and answer the advice for Swab Summer question. My advice would be to take it day by day and have fun. Let me explain.

Talk to anybody who's been through any type of basic military training ever and they'll tell you it pretty much sucks, but the attitude you take towards it can make a big difference. Objectively, I did pretty well in Swab Summer. I woke up every day with the idea of going to learn something new, whether that be how to sail or handle a tugboat or something more mundane like the nautical signal flags. In my opinion, the more you throw yourself into that, the more you'll develop as a cadet, as a leader, and as someone "with a liking for the sea and its lore." Plus, it's just a more fun, glass-half-full outlook.

During Swab Summer especially but really anytime here in New London, the days are long but the weeks are short. Based on my limited experience on Eagle this summer, I suspect that doesn't change in the fleet. Maybe @trackandfield08 can chime in on that.

I'll come back to this one - but, in a nutshell, this is an accurate statement about patrols.
 
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Thanks for being clear and concise. That is the explanation I was looking for. Not just aiming for the minimum but what is the expectation to keep you off probation. I appreciate the time you took to respond.
 
Can cadets leave their stuffs in their dorms year round or do they have clear out on extend leaves or during the summer?
 
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