Billet Night

USCGA13STN

USCGA13STN

10-Year Member
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Jun 29, 2010
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337
Well, since it's less than a week away, I figured I'd make a billet night thread. I guess it's now almost time for the class of 2017 (!!! I'm getting old) to find out where they're going.

Thankfully I'm stationed close enough that I'll be able to attend with my wardroom. It's always a fun time.
 
USCGA13STN said:
Thankfully I'm stationed close enough that I'll be able to attend with my wardroom. It's always a fun time.
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Someone at the academy has decided to livestream this historically private Firstie event. I think it's a poor decision.
 
Question from a non-Coastie... I am guessing Billet Night is when everyone receives their assignments correct? So what exactly do they received on Billet Night... career field, school date/flight school date, ship (if not going Pilot)? Sorry for the question, just realized I had no clue on this.
 
They get their ship assignments there, as well as flight and shore billets.
 
It is organized by the Alumni Association. Because it's a smaller school, all Firsties are present. Quite often the COs of the cutters they are going to are present as well to meet with them afterwards. Groups are called on stage and they find out in front of their classmates, future COs, and many other officers who make the effort to attend. As a parent of a Firstie (CGAS, who went to MMI, thank you, Physicsguru), I also think this is a poor decision. While there is plenty of joy for some, there can be some pretty big disappointments. They don't need to be streamed out for parents and underclassmen to witness.

My Firstie is ... unhappy... about this decision. As are many other Firsties, though not all to be fair. This night ranks with R-Day and graduation and commissioning as a high point. It should be private. I will not be watching.
 
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So for those that feel this shouldn't be streamed - should cellphones be banned entirely from the event - with facebook live and other apps that allow for the cadets to video and stream this themselves - its kind of a situation of do we do this entirely and control how things are done or do we let others do bits and pieces and hope its presented properly.
 
I don't know how the live streaming will all work. But from the live stream from the sporting event after it was finished the video was no longer available for viewing. For my family and friends they would not think poorly of any billet given. They would be so happy to see the ceremony. They would make it a family screening event at one of their houses. I met a coast guard grad over the summer and he is fabulous person. Flat out told us he graduated almost bottom of his class and got the worse billet, his accomplishments since then were phenomenal. I have watched a few clips just like rtp described and didn't really have a clue if anyone seemed disappointed or embarrassed. Why can't it be live streamed only accessible through a closed group?
 
rtp9799 said:
should cellphones be banned entirely from the event
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It is my understanding that the Firsties can't use their cellphones until the proceedings are complete - so they're not running around self streaming during the event. My DS is a 2/c and most of his Firstie friends are against this decision. This is historically a private event and should remain so. I've heard others say "there's no bad billet", but to some cadets that have their heart set on a particular billet, there will be disappointment.

Should we also stream R-Day or the first masting of a cadet in an incoming class? We've become far too voyeuristic as a society perhaps do to the advances in technology.

Billet night will be available to anyone with the link - not only to a closed group.
 
Billet night isn't for the family. It's for the cadets (and not even all cadets, just firsties).

The Alumni Association put something out about it too. I have no idea why I should care where everyone is going.

A livestream isn't free. Save it for something that isn't as "private." Let the firsties celebrate or mourn on their own.
 
LineInTheSand said:
Billet night isn't for the family. It's for the cadets (and not even all cadets, just firsties).

The Alumni Association put something out about it too. I have no idea why I should care where everyone is going.

A livestream isn't free. Save it for something that isn't as "private." Let the firsties celebrate or mourn on their own.
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thanks for your perspective - from a current outsider it didn't seem like a big deal - but i am slowly learning and understanding the traditions
 
rtp9799 said:
thanks for your perspective - from a current outsider it didn't seem like a big deal - but i am slowly learning and understanding the traditions
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Some people get what they want. Some people don't. It's the first real "we're actually goi g to graduate" feeling you get as a CGA cadet.

Some people hate their billets. Some people get pulled way from friends or significant others. Some will end up at units with people they don't like.

Sure, there's plenty of excitement, but not for everyone. And after billet night firsties celebrate. They tell their family and friends what they got over the phone. They go back to Chase Hall and make some noise, and other cadets ask what they got and congratulate them too.

It's a cadet experience. It's not for Alumni (some officers will be there to present billets to their units... sometimes they send videos). It's not for families.

I'm not sure where the desire to livestream Billet Night even came from.

Honestly, seeing it before your own billet night dulls the experience.
 
We watched a large portion of the livestream Billet Night the other night. It was free. We just clicked on the link provided by the USCGA Parents Association.

It was entertaining and enjoyable. Didn't appear at all like any cloak and dagger secret society event. They read off names of cadets and as they are approaching the stage there is a blurb given about the ship/sector/school and it's merits. The cadets simultaneously open there billet folder as the large overhead screen above them lists the billet for all to see. Everyone cheers and hoots. Take a quick photo. Shake hands with the dignitaries on stage and begin the next group.

It was well paced and high energy. I have heard that it might be useful as a recruiting tool. If our DS is fortunate and diligent enough to walk across that stage next March... I cannot imagine we wouldn't have a Billet Night party to enjoy watching the culmination of the efforts of the Class of 2018. It's perfect for parents, grandparents, friends and family, classmates, etc... to share in the excitement. Those that wish not to watch for whatever their reasons or rationale simply do not watch.

For whatever it's worth. I asked my 2nd Class Cadet, "Do you think it should be livestreamed?". NO. "Are you guys gonna watch it?" YES.
 
My 2/c was also against this decision as were most Firsties. What I find troublesome are the postings by many parents that feel they are entitled to see this part of cadet life. I disagree.
 
The free livestream is still available at livestream.com/CGA

The last three CGA livestream events are as follows:
Women's Leadership Symposium (1 month ago - 83 views)
Commandant's Address (March 1 - 834 views)
Billet Night 2017 (March 2 - 4,329 views)

The immense popularity of this will not likely sway those that are vehemently opposed to the idea of livestreaming Billet Night, but it should certainly raise some eyebrows.
 
rjb said:
My 2/c was also against this decision as were most Firsties. What I find troublesome are the postings by many parents that feel they are entitled to see this part of cadet life. I disagree.
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Where is this occurring, SA Forum, Facebook, etc...? I have not witnessed a single post from a parent claiming they are entitled?
 
LineInTheSand said:
Some people get what they want. Some people don't. It's the first real "we're actually goi g to graduate" feeling you get as a CGA cadet.

Some people hate their billets. Some people get pulled way from friends or significant others. Some will end up at units with people they don't like.

Sure, there's plenty of excitement, but not for everyone. And after billet night firsties celebrate. They tell their family and friends what they got over the phone. They go back to Chase Hall and make some noise, and other cadets ask what they got and congratulate them too.

It's a cadet experience. It's not for Alumni (some officers will be there to present billets to their units... sometimes they send videos). It's not for families.

I'm not sure where the desire to livestream Billet Night even came from.

Honestly, seeing it before your own billet night dulls the experience.
Click to expand...

It would appear that the wishes of the cadets were secondary.
 
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