Last minute AIM tips

yankeecowboy

yankeecowboy

Week 3 2024 Aimster
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
41
Leaving for AIM on sunday, any last minute tips or things to keep an eye out for from week 1 or 2 Aimsters? (or their parents)

Thanks in advance :biggrin:
 
yankeecowboy said:
Leaving for AIM on sunday, any last minute tips or things to keep an eye out for from week 1 or 2 Aimsters? (or their parents)

Thanks in advance :biggrin:
Click to expand...
Keep focus on the fact that it's nothing personal! They'll be yelled at, challenged, and purposely set up to fail. It's just part of the process. Like a 5 day, tiny microcosm of swab summer. It'll be pretty crappy for a couple days, but by probably Thursday afternoon, they'll begin to get the point of it all and realize the cadre are actually really nice!
 
Everyone will be put into a platoon when you arrive. Although you want to do well and stand out (in a good way), a big factor is for your platoon to learn to work as a team. You will likely make some good friendships in just the few short days you are there. Work together. Help each other out. Listen to the cadre. Don't take anything personally. Don't quit...it is only 5-6 days.

Also remember that this is a snapshot of swab summer. It is not a snapshot of your 4/c year. Whether or not you enjoy AIM, if you are seriously considering the Coast Guard Academy, then I highly suggest you also visit for a Bears Day or a Cadet for a Day. If you can do an overnight visit where you get to shadow a cadet, stay in Chase Hall, eat with them, and go to class and practice with them, then you will get a taste of what the regular school year will be like.
 
Doubling down on @ProudMom7, this is only a look at swab summer, so keep your eyes open for times where you can talk to cadre and other cadets as people. There should be periods where the hats come off and can you discuss life at the academy and how they came to choose USCGA and such. It's not all boot camp through the final moment.
 
Have fun and stick with it! My DS enjoyed session 1 more than NASS but he enjoyed NASS also. He said AIM was more difficult. If you're a runner, hope the "walkers" are in the outside lane during CFE. Maintain cadence for pushups. DS went too fast because he couldn't hear the cadence.
 
Week 2 here. Like everyone else said, don't quit! Yes, there will be a lot of yelling, and even if you don't mess up you'll get your share just like everyone else. One thing my cadre told me was to listen to the words they are saying, not the volume they are saying it at. Eventually, the yelling will lessen up, but don't take it to heart while it happens. Keep that in your mind and you'll be alright.

Get to know the names of the AIMsters in your platoon, and quickly. Make an effort to know their names like how you'll make an effort to memorize the cadre's names. You will rarely ever leave your shipmate. These people will be your friends and your supporters, and you should also make an effort to keep in touch with them after AIM.

Most of all, enjoy it! It might be tough to enjoy it while you're there, but really try to. AIM will challenge you, but if you're like the majority of the people attempting to go into the academy, you'll appreciate the challenge and miss it when it's gone. If you're unlucky, AIM could be the only chance you have to experience the academy, so keep that in mind too. Don't waste your time wishing for the week to be over.
 
Bonus question: should I try to stuff the sleeping bag into the duffel or just carry the duffel with the sleeping bag?

Thanks!
 
If it can fit without too much effort, go for it. If not, don't stress about it. You should be able to carry both plus the gear they issue you.
 
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