Ask a Fourth Class.

According to legend only 2% of cadet/girlfriend or cadet/boyfriend relationships outlast the four years of the Academy. Academy life can be very stressful on such friendships.:redface:
 
Hey zach,

I have a question...okay so maybe a few questions haha What was R-day like? What were you feeling? What was swab summer like? Do you regret accepting your appointment? (Btw, I am not trying to be nosy, I would just like a honest answer with some emotion other then what the CGA website says:smile: )
 
Ask away, ask away. First off and most importantly... no, I do not regret my appointment. That is absolutely honest. If I regretted it I would have left months ago, plain and simple. I'll just leave it at that.

R-day... on people's minds already of course. I was worried about R-day for about 6 months or so, so when I woke up at 5 on 30 June to get in the car and head towards my new life, it all seemed very surreal. As soon as they call your name 'it' all hits the fan. I will admit that I was anxious, nervous, and then scared out of my mind (in that order). The rest of the day is a large blur. Most of R-day is crazy screaming and running and then lots and lots of uniform/item issues. You get your ODU trousers, blue study hour shirts, gym shorts/shirts, flip flops, two pairs of boat shoes, boots, the list goes on and on.

However, I do remember very vividly getting my picture taken with my class and then running to find my parents. You'll get mail eventually (after what seems like an eternity, but it's really about a week in, maybe earlier), but not having that constant support can be really tough at times. However, that is the point and you'll become stronger because of it.

Hope that wasn't like the CGA website.
 
Hey zach,

I have a question...okay so maybe a few questions haha What was R-day like? What were you feeling? What was swab summer like? Do you regret accepting your appointment? (Btw, I am not trying to be nosy, I would just like a honest answer with some emotion other then what the CGA website says:smile: )


R-day is interesting to explain. I remember somewhat only as a blur, along with the rest of swab summer, but here I go. So I come from the hotel, not too good night of sleep mainly because I was a bit worried/anxious, but also because my dad snores.... really really loud...
so we get there, and we all line up in leamy, and they call us by companies (don't be late whatever you do)
and once they check you in, they have you all line up and be quiet out on the balcony of leamy. Once your company all arrives, they run you down a back set of stairs, onto a bus, up library hill, and to the arches (now you may feel afraid). You are sitting on the bus all stiff and backs strait, The second class on the bus was a small female, so none of us were too worried, untill she steps off the bus, and salutes/passes on to the other cadre us. The other three cadre... one who was a good 6' 9'', 250 lbs, and who (later we find out) was just lifting weights so he was really swollen, steps on the bus and Yells "YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS TO GET OFF MY BUS! AND YOU ALREADY WAITED 5!"

so we are all running now off the bus, carrying our giant bags with stuff, into the quad. They line us up in order and give us the usual summer talk (i can repeat it by heart i heard it so many times the AIM kids came around) "words like yeah, uh-hu, okay, and sure are no longer part of your vocabulary...."
then they did something... I really can't remember...
its all a bit of a blur
but during that time, we showered perhaps 3 times, got haircuts, got ITed about 4 times, drank a good 2 liters of water at once, got our uniforms all issued ((note: when you first get to your room and they tell you to change, check the name on your shirt to make sure that it is yours and not your roomates :) )
by the end of the day, we had our picture taken (non of us look happy) and we get to see our parents for about 5 minutes or so

thats R-day

when you begin, you really don't feel anything emotionally, but just stressed (for me at least)
I really didn't care emotionally wise, itwas all just expected for me and I knew/told myself everyday that they don't do this because they want to, but because they have to . to train you etc
they don't enjoy (they really don't ) it
I learned that when one of the cadre was IT ing me and he did them along with me, and I could tell it was rather hard for him as well ((really got my respect for him))

The stress causes issues, some people go sleepwalking (automatic drop) and others have bowel issues, not eating, not sleeping, dehydration problems etc, but once anything happens that jeopardizes your health, they stop and get you medical help and all. So don't worry, nothing they do can really kill you, and if you past the limit you'll be fine, they will help you
so don't be afraid to push the envelope and go beyond what you are physically capable off

Do I regret it, absolutely not

I learned more during swab summer than anywhere else, and it has helped me in so many ways

along with that, it really only gets better past swab summer, and the academy is nothing like swab summer

its an artificial environment that you get past

once swab summer ends, the first month or so is still a bit strict and all, but you'll get use to it

what I find really helped was to give a good first impression on your new company.
Clean your room really well and keep it that way, keep storage good
keep your uniform good
Know your meals and indoc and you'll be good

My guidon (the 2/c in charge of the 4/c) is really good
basically, he knows that I keep the standards high for myself, so he doesn't have to check on me nonstop etc like some other people
which lets me focus on my grades more...
Our company is probably one of the best, its rather chill, but still good, because we don't have anyone going off and doing stupid things or getting honor offenses

I think the 4/c this year overall are doing a good job, the RC just sent an email saying that we were doing so and improved a lot
bravo zulu

once x-mas time comes around, you basically have so much more free time (pending) and everyone really stops caring about the 4/c because they are looking to going home.

Now, I have to go do about 4 projects, 2 labs, a 10 page paper, and about 4 hours of other hw stuff....
but once I get done this weekend I'm basically done everything
and I'll be doing finals, and then going home

so if you get through swab summer, keep your head down, keep it up with your grades, and do what you are asked, being a 4/c isn't too bad

so look forward to the experience, you'll never have another one like it!
 
down time

what do you do in down time other then homework? is there plenty to do when you get bored or is there no oppurtunity to get bored
 
what do you do in down time other then homework? is there plenty to do when you get bored or is there no oppurtunity to get bored

manly, go to the movies, watch movies, play games etc
since you don't have a car and don't have many local connections
and that there isn't much to walk to in new london
thats basically it

its rather nice though
you always have some type of homework to do
and if thats all done, you can do some in advance
but if you don't feel like going ahead of your work, you can just chill
near the end of the year you can relax more/you get the hang of work

sponsor parents, if you get some, are very nice
gets you out of the barracks and doing things
look forward to them
 
A few questions

hey guys i just sent in my acceptance yesterday and i have a few questions.

1. swab summer, anything in particular to have sent/ bring?

2. whats the name of that book you have to memorize? i am thinking of buying a copy in advance to get a jump on things :)

3. after summer, can you leave the campus alot. Like on sundays, could i leave campus and go to a church around town vs the chapel on campus? and are they any good churches around like bible churches etc? (if you guys are christian)

4. i love to sleep, do you get alot of it? i am guessing that's a big no but i thought i would ask. Oh and you said auto dismissal for sleepwalking? dang, what about sleep talking?

5. what is the dating policy?

6.a couple sports questions, so i snowboard can 4/c join the snowboarding club? and could i keep my snowboard or a road bike there? How much free time do you get for personal physical activity like lifting weights etc?

7. Any companies that are better/worse than others?

8. how are roommates chosen?

sorry thats a lot of questions, but i am sure i will have more. I look forward to seeing you there next year
 
1. They will tell you what to bring...bring no more, it will just get in the way.
2. Running Light.
3. No. This is a chapel on campus and you have the option of attending another church in the New London area, but you have little time to go back and forth. As a 4/c, there is very little free time.
4. Not much time to sleep. If it makes you feel any better, you have less time to sleep in the fleet.
5. Only may date classmates or non-Coasties as a 4/c. No loving in the barracks.
6. 4/c involvement is pretty light that first semester, however it begins to open up later.
7. Bravo company was the best a few years ago...of course I am biased.
8. Upperclass will pick them your first year.
 
LITS, it is with great pleasure that I report to you that Bravo company is still the best.

On a different note, regarding the church issue I've been able to get up to a few different churches in the area. You just have to make the right connections and get the word out within the different faith clubs/groups that you're looking for a certain kind of church and chances are you might be able to find a firstie who goes there and can/will drive you.
 
Questions:

Please, if you have time, answer a few questions that I have regarding the 4C year:

1. Are the 4C allowed to keep their cell phones with them?
2. If so, which cell service works best in the New London area?
3. I just started a Facebook to correspond with my daughter who is presently a Junior in college. Will USCGA allow 4C, 3C, 2C, and 1C cadets to use Facebook for communication?
4. If time permits, are 4C allowed to instant message? Email?
5. Can you describe a typical week during 4C and the amount (if any) of liberty given.


Thank you so much in advance for any information. We really appreciate you taking the time to help the next class (and their families) prepare for the challenges ahead. Happy New Year!
 
1. Yes, but they can't speak everywhere on them.
2. I used Cingular, never had a problem in New London, but Chase Hall doesn't have the best reception.
3. While I was there Facebook was new to CGA; 4/c could not use it. They could also not use IM. This may have changed since then.
4. No IM for 4/c (unless it has changed). 4/c do have email; they have .edu accounts, so emails are fine but are not available during the summer.
5. While I was there...if you had a star as a 4/c you had Friday night libo (although not much) and you had Saturday libo in the afternoon. Liberty time increase as you move up the ranks. The week will be filled with work, including 4/c specific work and school work.

Zach, we made Bravo scary. I'm glad to hear it's still the best (but them this Bull may still be a little biased.)
 
I generaliZe "cleaning, learning military "indoc", etc" as 4/c specific work. A majority of the kids come in as a clean slate; that first year has a lot of info packed into it. Your son or daughter may not be able to see how much they've learned over a short time, but you will. At some point, late into the year, a good bit of what they do will become second nature to them. While free time will exist, it will not exist in abundance. :wink:
 
Hey, earlier in the thread, one 4/c mentioned that cadets aren't allowed to have a car. Is there more to that?
 
Yes, no car in the area. Many 4/c own cars from their high school days, but no cars in the area...and that's for 3/c-2/c too. 1/c are the only cadets authorized cars.
 
Hey, earlier in the thread, one 4/c mentioned that cadets aren't allowed to have a car. Is there more to that?

USE OF AUTOMOBILES: All cadets may drive automobiles providing they have a valid driver’s license and comply with the motor vehicle laws of the state or country in which the automobile is operated. Underclass cadets are prohibited from owning or maintaining an automobile, unless it’s at their parents or legal guardian’s actual home residence. Underclass cadets may not own and store a car at their sponsor familiy's house.

All cadets may rent an automobile with the approval of their Company Officer, however, they may not own or operate any motorcycles, trail bikes, mopeds, motor scooters, terrain vehicles or other two-wheeled motorized vehicles.
 
I routed a special last semester to drive my sponsor family's car. It went all the way up to our company officer, who approved it on the condition that I not drive it aboard the Academy.

Also, it might be redundant but here goes:


1. You're not supposed to have it on you in uniform (i.e. during the work/school day) unless you are in your room. There were some weird rule changes regarding where you can use your cellphones outside this year so I'm not exactly sure what the new protocol is.
2. I have verizon, which works for me. some people in the new annex have reception issues.
3. you're not supposed to have facebook as a 4/c.
4. email is permitted but IM is not as a 4/c.
5. 4/c never have regular Friday liberty unless they are on a long weekend, which is earned or given to the whole corps (labor day weekend would be an example of that). Getting a star earns you a long. 4/c saturday libo is usually noon until 1 a.m., and sunday libo is 6 a.m. (I think, I'm usually still asleep until well after it's technically granted) until 6 p.m.
 
Okay... a couple ignorant questions... What is a star and what would you get one for? What is a special and what do you mean when you say you "routed" it. Thanks!
 
There are four different kinds of stars that you could possible earn. Someone there now get get into the specifics (ie actual numbers for the stars). A gold star is for academic excellence, a silver star is for military excellence, a blue star is for outstanding performance on the PFE, and a bronze star is for a specific grade point improvement. Each star has a "number associated with it" , think GPA, military score, PFE score, and increase in GPA.

Stars aren't everything. Many people never get a star. I had a bronze star for a second, until they reworked one of the A classes from 4 credits to 3 credits...then suddenly my GPA hadn't changed enough. Stars only matter at CGA, and the fleet will have no idea what they are.

And while it is not one of the "stars", a command pin at the Academy (worn by the Regimental Commander and Company Commanders) have a star with a wreath around them.
 
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