I day 2024 for class of 2028

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AG8297

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I saw on several calendars that drop off day is July 1st for the incoming class of 2028. but tonight on a zoom call the coaches said it would be June 30th. Anyone know which date is correct? Trying to firm up travel plans.
 
I had read somewhere it was the last Monday in June, which, this year, would be the 24th.

But I have no idea. Mostly posting to follow because I'm curious now.
 
I would have to think it's 7/1 as stated on the calendars. I can't believe they'd change Day One to a Sunday. So much goes on that weekend!

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Historically, Day One has been on Monday. And normally it's the closest Monday to the end of June or beginning of July. Now that the date is out. Start making reservations.
 
The Coast Guard Academy is pretty good about publishing all of their dates four years in advance and sticking to them. Last year the dates for Thanksgiving changed and threw things off and sometimes a specific event's date may move, but otherwise the calendars are pretty solid.

The "new" style web page includes links to web pages for some of the big events like Day One, Commencement, etc.

Calendar of Events - United States Coast Guard Academy

CGA Yearly Calendar of Events 2023-2024 05 JUNE Intersessional Period Begins 11 JUNE Summer Phase Change 19 JUNE Juneteenth National Independence Day 27 JUNE Day One – 4/C Swearing in Day – Learn More 04 JULY Independence Day 03-21 JULY AIM – Learn More 10-27 JULY CGA Scholars Orientation...
uscga.edu uscga.edu

The "old" style PDF:
 
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Northwoods said:
Would you mind giving examples of the weekend activities? DS will be applying this fall, so only a 20% chance I'll use the info, but I'm still curious.
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Several notable things (at least that we enjoyed last year) that may or not be on the published schedule.

- The guided tour is nice (especially if you haven't done it before). Although the tour at parents weekend is probably a little better as they may take you to check out the cutter simulator. You'll get a very limited tour of Chase Hall and can see what a room looks like.

- Razorbill tour is cool (87' patrol boat) if you've never been on a cutter before.

- The various Parent Association chapters will have booths set up in Leamy Hall where you can get a variety of items, with a heavy focus on things that will come in handy for your cadet. For instance, you can purchase items to fill a regulation sized box that will serve as a care package for their first week of swab summer. Everything from snacks to lint rollers that cadets will need. One chapter also does regulation blankets with last name embroidered that is delivered to them after swab summer.

- The Parents Association will hold a couple sessions to not only talk about what they do and promote membership, but also share some practical info/hints/tips on navigating life as a USCGA parent, and how to support your cadet. It's a great organization and they do a lot for the cadets!

- I recall some sort of informal mixer at Leamy on the "steel beach" patio. It gave the kids a chance to group up and meet other kids in their company prior to Day One. That was really cool.

- If your perspective cadet will be on a sports team, some teams hold an open house for cadets and parents sometime on Saturday evening to allow everyone to meet each other. Often they'll do some sort of BBQ or ice cream social or something of that nature.

- It's also worth hearing the addresses by Adm. Johnston (the Superintendent) and others. The whole weekend is information overload, but it provides a great foundation for preparing for swab summer. It's a rough summer for not only the kids, but also us parents.

- Last but not least, if you participate on the Class of 2028 parents Facebook page, you will have gotten to "know" a lot of parents throughout the spring. Probably even more if you had the advantage of more time from EA acceptance. This weekend is a GREAT time to meet other parents in person. It's an unbelievable support group and I have some made some incredible new friends over the last year+. If you stay in one of the local hotels, you'll meet tons of parents that way too. The entire area (hotels, restaurants) is absolutely swarming with nervous looking teenagers and parents with the look of semi-shock on their faces. LOL.

Hopefully your son is applying for AIM right now! It's a great program as well!!
 
My DS was asking when/how he should expect to get find out all the specific details about swab summer and making travel arrangements? I believe there’s a website for class of 2027 with all the details that should be updated for 2028 but we weren’t sure when that gets updated and sent out? He is an EA applicant and has accepted. Thanks! We started making our travel arrangements assuming the 7/1 date so hopefully that’s not going to change!
 
27BearDad said:
Several notable things (at least that we enjoyed last year) that may or not be on the published schedule.

- The guided tour is nice (especially if you haven't done it before). Although the tour at parents weekend is probably a little better as they may take you to check out the cutter simulator. You'll get a very limited tour of Chase Hall and can see what a room looks like.

- Razorbill tour is cool (87' patrol boat) if you've never been on a cutter before.

- The various Parent Association chapters will have booths set up in Leamy Hall where you can get a variety of items, with a heavy focus on things that will come in handy for your cadet. For instance, you can purchase items to fill a regulation sized box that will serve as a care package for their first week of swab summer. Everything from snacks to lint rollers that cadets will need. One chapter also does regulation blankets with last name embroidered that is delivered to them after swab summer.

- The Parents Association will hold a couple sessions to not only talk about what they do and promote membership, but also share some practical info/hints/tips on navigating life as a USCGA parent, and how to support your cadet. It's a great organization and they do a lot for the cadets!

- I recall some sort of informal mixer at Leamy on the "steel beach" patio. It gave the kids a chance to group up and meet other kids in their company prior to Day One. That was really cool.

- If your perspective cadet will be on a sports team, some teams hold an open house for cadets and parents sometime on Saturday evening to allow everyone to meet each other. Often they'll do some sort of BBQ or ice cream social or something of that nature.

- It's also worth hearing the addresses by Adm. Johnston (the Superintendent) and others. The whole weekend is information overload, but it provides a great foundation for preparing for swab summer. It's a rough summer for not only the kids, but also us parents.

- Last but not least, if you participate on the Class of 2028 parents Facebook page, you will have gotten to "know" a lot of parents throughout the spring. Probably even more if you had the advantage of more time from EA acceptance. This weekend is a GREAT time to meet other parents in person. It's an unbelievable support group and I have some made some incredible new friends over the last year+. If you stay in one of the local hotels, you'll meet tons of parents that way too. The entire area (hotels, restaurants) is absolutely swarming with nervous looking teenagers and parents with the look of semi-shock on their faces. LOL.

Hopefully your son is applying for AIM right now! It's a great program as well!!
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He's been sick, plus super busy with school and sports, but we're heading to the CGA next week for a cross-country/track and field overnight recruiting visit. We'll have a fair amount of down time on the plane and driving around (we're also visiting the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and RPI, plus spending the weekend with my friends and relatives on the east coast). I'll make sure he works on the essays and the rest of the AIM application while we're on the trip.

A friend's daughter graduated from the CGA last spring. He's also been feeding me lots of good intel.
 
Jeeplady777 said:
My DS was asking when/how he should expect to get find out all the specific details about swab summer and making travel arrangements? I believe there’s a website for class of 2027 with all the details that should be updated for 2028 but we weren’t sure when that gets updated and sent out? He is an EA applicant and has accepted. Thanks! We started making our travel arrangements assuming the 7/1 date so hopefully that’s not going to change!
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It should be updated in late March or early April after most of the appointments are done. The forms and checklists don’t change much each year. The 7/1 date isn’t likely to change.

If you don’t have a passport get that done. The rest of the items won’t take long to do.
 
Northwoods said:
He's been sick, plus super busy with school and sports, but we're heading to the CGA next week for a cross-country/track and field overnight recruiting visit. We'll have a fair amount of down time on the plane and driving around (we're also visiting the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and RPI, plus spending the weekend with my friends and relatives on the east coast). I'll make sure he works on the essays and the rest of the AIM application while we're on the trip.

A friend's daughter graduated from the CGA last spring. He's also been feeding me lots of good intel.
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That's awesome!!! I took my daughter on a big college tour up in the northeast over spring break 2 years ago. It was a logistical masterpiece, visiting 6 schools with full tours and coach meetings in 4 different states in 9 days! CGA was the first stop... Coach meeting the day we got in, then Bear's Day the next day. We could've just skipped the rest of the trip LOL. After CGA, she had ZERO interest in civilian schools! Regardless, we had an incredible time together!

Enjoy your trip!! I wouldn't let him worry too much about the AIM app on your trip. Maybe some mental planning or brainstorming on the essays at most. I remember specifically talking to an admissions officer during the parent track on that first visit about the AIM application process...he said submitting super early doesn't have any impact and it's good to use the time to be sure the application is as high quality as it can be. Plus, the visit will provide an entirely new perspective for the essays!

Enjoy it all and best of luck!!
 
Jeeplady777 said:
My DS was asking when/how he should expect to get find out all the specific details about swab summer and making travel arrangements? I believe there’s a website for class of 2027 with all the details that should be updated for 2028 but we weren’t sure when that gets updated and sent out? He is an EA applicant and has accepted. Thanks! We started making our travel arrangements assuming the 7/1 date so hopefully that’s not going to change!
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@Wolfpack is spot on. I can't remember exactly, but I think last year, it took longer than usual for the portal to change from 2026 to 2027. Regardless, the info is pretty much the same. You can look at 2027 to see what all the paperwork looks like.

Also know, they don't send any paperwork in the mail or anything like that. The 2028 portal on the website is where you get everything! Once it is updated, some forms have dates referencing the year...last year they missed updating a couple things, so just be sure everything looks current.

When you do get to that point, be sure your son signs the forms in blue ink. Some (not all) specify that, but just do blue across the board.

Another thing you can do is reference last year's vaccination form and make an appointment to get any required shots. There are certain vaccines that they recommend getting several weeks prior to reporting (in case there are any adverse affects). You can go to the doctor at your leisure, get it done, then when the current vaccination form is available, just drop it at the doctor and have them update it.

Last year, it was really late before they released company assignments. It's not a big deal...just cool to know. That'll pretty much tell you what phase of Eagle he'll fall in (unless unforeseen issues dictate otherwise) and it'll also determine exactly what time drop off is on Monday morning.

Having accepted EA, it's just nice to take advantage of the time and really be thorough. It's not as much as it may feel like, but certainly don't procrastinate. Ideally, by the time graduation rolls around, all the paperwork is pretty much done, you've gathered stuff on the packing list and he can just (safely) enjoy his last several weeks before reporting!

Good luck!
 
Once you get the passport process started and the documentation lined up you can get to the more important things like fretting about socks* and finding a place to stay.


* Do not fret about socks.
 
Militarymom2 said:
Fill us in on what a clothing stamp is, and what brand/type you recommend. Can it be ordered ahead of time?
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In the cadet handbook, in the section with the packing list, there's a blurb about labeling all your belongings with first initial and last name. You can do it with a sharpie, or get a custom self inking stamp or iron on labels. I got my daughter a stamp on Amazon...there are a few to pick from...they're all about the same. They work pretty good for socks and white T shirts. We tried some iron on for dark underwear and sports bras but those didn't hold up too well. For non clothing items, she used a label maker I already had.

This is just one of the many little things newbie parents (me included) obsessed about prior to swab summer, that turned out to be not that big of a deal. The cadre will do the swab's laundry all summer, although this just consists of putting a mesh bag full of their dirty clothes in the washer and then the dryer, so it's not like things are getting mixed up. Although, it may come in handy having items labeled when their room gets SARd and everyone's belongings get all mixed up. LOL
 
I agree about the stupid stuff newbie parents obsess over while waiting for day one. There are lots of posts about shopping for summer, read them since things rarely change. Then read the 2028 list when it comes out and do what it says.

Most of the underwear and socks are trashed by the end of swab summer and will likely be replaced (cadre actually wash laundry by beating with rocks down at the Thames) so don't sweat things too much. High, motivated socks, bland colors on the shoes and clothing, follow the list and don't stand out. Use a bunch of gallon ziplocks for day one to help make moving easier.

As long as you have your passport processed and a place to stay for July 1 the rest of this is the fun part of the journey. Enjoy your time together, finish the school year strong with classmates, stay in shape and avoid anything stupid. Parents should take pics, maybe think of memorable things to do together since after this spring you won't be seeing much of this kid for the next 8-10 years. Don't be maudlin, but start embracing the fact that you're getting the entire long slow college separation in a single cold dash.
 
StPaulDad said:
I agree about the stupid stuff newbie parents obsess over while waiting for day one. There are lots of posts about shopping for summer, read them since things rarely change. Then read the 2028 list when it comes out and do what it says.

Most of the underwear and socks are trashed by the end of swab summer and will likely be replaced (cadre actually wash laundry by beating with rocks down at the Thames) so don't sweat things too much. High, motivated socks, bland colors on the shoes and clothing, follow the list and don't stand out. Use a bunch of gallon ziplocks for day one to help make moving easier.

As long as you have your passport processed and a place to stay for July 1 the rest of this is the fun part of the journey. Enjoy your time together, finish the school year strong with classmates, stay in shape and avoid anything stupid. Parents should take pics, maybe think of memorable things to do together since after this spring you won't be seeing much of this kid for the next 8-10 years. Don't be maudlin, but start embracing the fact that you're getting the entire long slow college separation in a single cold dash.
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All great points! It's funny how after all the anticipation, and how much/little you may try to prepare leading up to swab summer, all that crap goes out the window when you drop them off. They'll figure out how to be resourceful. The cadre will do the job they were trained to do. Little things in life that they once thought were so important will be replaced with new found importance of a Bic lighter and a good lint roller.

One thing to add, on drop off day, don't be the kid with a bunch of roller luggage, and wear sensible (athletic type) clothes and supportive, comfortable athletic shoes (not slides or flip flops)

I see your daughter is a 2025...she could've been my daughter's cadre!
 
I keep reading about Flag Day. Could someone elaborate on that? Is it a chance to see our cadet during Swab Summer?
 
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