Gift ideas for New Cadets

sanman

sanman

The token Brit
Joined
Nov 5, 2018
Messages
758
So I thought it may be a good idea to try and take our minds off the waiting.

Being ever the optimist what would be the best gift ideas for people who secure a place at USCGA?
 
vinsterX said:
I'm treating my wife and I to new USCGA sweatshirts. We've been on campus so many times but we didn't want to jinx the process!
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Yes, I bought a cap but haven't worn it yet for the same reason.
Things I am thinking about at the moment for my DS if he is accepted

St Christopher
Clasp knife
 
Are you looking for something more sentimental or practical?
 
The USCGA will issue cadets a shoe shine kit that they will get very familiar with over Swab Summer..............

On the practical side, they will need a valid US Tourist Passport when they report, so you may want to beat the summer travel rush on that. As long as your kid is 17 or older, the passport is good for 10 years.

Reporting day (R-day) for the class of 2024 is tentatively scheduled for Monday June 29, 2020 beginning at 0630, in case you want to plan a family trip between High School Graduation and R-day.

As far as gifts, my strongest recommendation is to visit a coast guard unit with your student over the break if possible. If this is not possible maybe visit with an admissions partner in your area and ask questions or scour the USGC website, especially the cadet blogs. The reason is, picking a college is complex, picking an Academy is even more so as it comes with a 9 year commitment. Approximately 90% of graduates go to sea for their first assignment and 10% go to aviation, so they should plan on a life at sea initially. Giving your student the gift of time and information so they can make an informed choice about where they will attend if accepted is vital. Above all else we want our kids to be successful and thrive in whatever college they choose.

Unfortunately, a number of cadets who thought USCGA (or the other Academies) was right for them, withdraw the first few weeks every year because it was not a right "fit" for them, they just enrolled for the free tuition, their parents pressured them etc. Once they leave the Academy, and try to go with "Plan B" they may have lost some merit money or scholarships from their plan B school and as most others have already registered, classes at the Plan B school are full.

When times get tough during Swab summer and at the Academy, all Cadets will need a reason to push on and overcome; giving them exposure to the USCG and it's missions now and ensuring it is their choice to accept the challenge will help them succeed when they need it most.

Finally, enjoy all the family time you can now, once they swear-in at R-day, they are on the Coast Guard schedule, and many will not return home until next Christmas.

Enjoy the Holiday!
 
On the more practical side, a computer monitor (best given after Swab Summer) could be a good one. Almost all of us have an extra because our issued computers are small and it makes doing work so much easier with another, larger monitor to work off of too. If your future Cadet is into music, a nice pair of headphones could be a good and thoughtful gift because 4/c are not allowed to listen to music out loud. Another great gift for those male cadets on the practical side is an electric razor. It varies (usually by cadre) whether they're allowed to use them over the summer or not, but even afterwards, they save so much time when we are expected to shave each and every morning. Each swab should be allowed one picture frame or 4 inch square photo cube, so that could something sentimental to give to help them through the summer.
 
The items that they can take initially to CGA is quite restrictive. Once swab summer is over, they are allowed to have more items, but best to wait until your 4/c requests them to purchase. Many will want printers, monitors, bed toppers, better towels, etc. For now, you may consider something like a nice dress watch that can be worn after swab summer with their SDBs, or gift cards to Amazon, Uber, etc. The most important thing to do is spend time with your appointee. I think over the years, the one regret most parents have is not having more time with their kid. Don't get wrapped up in all the hoopla. Enjoy this time, get those hugs, have those conversations. Time home is very limited once they enter the gates of CGA, and before you know it, they will be ensigns.
 
Haveaniceday said:
The USCGA will issue cadets a shoe shine kit that they will get very familiar with over Swab Summer..............

Unfortunately, a number of cadets who thought USCGA (or the other Academies) was right for them, withdraw the first few weeks every year because it was not a right "fit" for them, they just enrolled for the free tuition, their parents pressured them etc. Once they leave the Academy, and try to go with "Plan B" they may have lost some merit money or scholarships from their plan B school and as most others have already registered, classes at the Plan B school are full.

When times get tough during Swab summer and at the Academy, all Cadets will need a reason to push on and overcome; giving them exposure to the USCG and it's missions now and ensuring it is their choice to accept the challenge will help them succeed when they need it most.

Enjoy the Holiday!
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Brillance. It's beyond me why this advice is not given more. People go visit the CGA many times but I rarely hear anyone say that they go out and visit the fleet. They can do that - and it is highly recommended. The CG is infamous for the amount of work that both enlisted and officers put in. It's a small branch - everyone has an enormous amount of responsibility - from the newest bootcamp enlistee to the top of the food chain. It can be incredibly overwhelming.

By spending some time at units, talking to Coasties, talking to Junior Officers (and most will all be very willing - it's a great opportunity), prospective Cadets can truly find out about what the future will be for them should they be offered an appointment. The good and the bad. In some cases, it may help them realize that it's not the path for them. In others, it will keep them motivated when they want to quit.

I read these threads and feel as though many families get very narrowly focused on getting INTO the "Academy" and often don't realize the storm that is about to sweep up their family if their child actually does get an appointment. It's not four years of hard work, it's many, many more. The CG is a super tough, competitive and performance oriented environment. The stress keeps piling on - and actually often accelerates - after graduation. Better to know, up front, what one is jumping into - rather than wait.

Great Advice @Haveaniceday !
 
Awesome
CGFAM said:
Brillance. It's beyond me why this advice is not given more. People go visit the CGA many times but I rarely hear anyone say that they go out and visit the fleet. They can do that - and it is highly recommended. The CG is infamous for the amount of work that both enlisted and officers put in. It's a small branch - everyone has an enormous amount of responsibility - from the newest bootcamp enlistee to the top of the food chain. It can be incredibly overwhelming.

By spending some time at units, talking to Coasties, talking to Junior Officers (and most will all be very willing - it's a great opportunity), prospective Cadets can truly find out about what the future will be for them should they be offered an appointment. The good and the bad. In some cases, it may help them realize that it's not the path for them. In others, it will keep them motivated when they want to quit.

I read these threads and feel as though many families get very narrowly focused on getting INTO the "Academy" and often don't realize the storm that is about to sweep up their family if their child actually does get an appointment. It's not four years of hard work, it's many, many more. The CG is a super tough, competitive and performance oriented environment. The stress keeps piling on - and actually often accelerates - after graduation. Better to know, up front, what one is jumping into - rather than wait.

Great Advice @Haveaniceday !
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awesome advice!
 
I think this may have gone off track somewhat. It was supposed to be a relatively lighthearted thread to take people's minds off the waiting and hopefully get people thinking positively.
 
Lyft gift card.

Lyft from PVD meets on 2nd row outside baggage. Uber I never figured out - go to Parking Garage 3 or something like that. But verify as things change and Uber may get better position.

How much to load? FYI approx $62 to USCGA including tip.
 
Perhaps something a little more subtle would be more appropriate for a future Coast Guard Officer :shake: .....(unless you WANT to carry the k-bar in your teeth and climb the masts on the Eagle).

See the source image
 
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