Parent Events

Twig(Ret)

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Jan 18, 2019
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Are there any parent events after Swab Summer begins, other than the Mystic Seaport Flag Ceremony and the Eagle port calls, before classes start in August? I was reading the parent handbook and it doesn’t look like there’s anything scheduled until Parents Weekend in the fall.

Also, is there an opportunity to do a ceremonial swearing in on Swearing-In Day if a parent is an officer?
 
DS is a 2018 graduate. From my recollection there aren't any opportunities other than mystic flag ceremony (provided your DS/DD is preset) or Eagle. Interaction with your SWAB is limited to letters.

On R-Day (now Day 1), your DS/DD reports in and you don't see them again until march on and swearing in, then there is class photo and afterwards you have 15 minutes with your SWAB before they reassemble into their assigned company.
 
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If you live close to the Academy you may attend the Shoulderboard Ceremony which officially welcomes the Swabs into the Corps of Cadets. However, there is no saying you would have any time with your Swab/Cadet, and the ceremony is only about 15 minutes. Really not worth it if you don't live really close. It was 5 hours for us, we didn't go. But our DS picture ended up in high def on the official Academy page, so there was that.
 
Are there any parent events after Swab Summer begins, other than the Mystic Seaport Flag Ceremony and the Eagle port calls, before classes start in August? I was reading the parent handbook and it doesn’t look like there’s anything scheduled until Parents Weekend in the fall.

Also, is there an opportunity to do a ceremonial swearing in on Swearing-In Day if a parent is an officer?

After Day One, the only opportunities to see your swab are at Mystic Flag Ceremony, or Eagle chasing. Not all the swabs will attend Mystic, as a portion will be on Eagle. Mystic historically allows some liberty time at the seaport, and then later after the ceremony for a few hours. Eagle chasing is always a test in Semper Gumby, as liberty is never guaranteed. Beyond that, after swab summer is secured, swabs are historically allowed some liberty for a few hours that weekend prior to CAP week beginning to shop for supplies for the upcoming academic term. The Swearing-In ceremony occurs on the Monday of CAP week, however it is a small part of the larger Change of Watch ceremony, as the whole corps will be in attendance. To answer your question, swabs receive their shoulder boards from upperclass cadre, not parents or others. Again, this is a very short part of a larger ceremony, and it happens during a busy day of a hectic week. The new 4/c are not granted any liberty, so unless you live in the local area, it really is not something parents attend. There usually is a livestream, and many photos will be available.
 
If your Swab/Cadet is an athlete does attending the games give you a chance to spend any time?
 
If your Swab/Cadet is an athlete does attending the games give you a chance to spend any time?

It all depends on sport / coach / schedule.

If your DS/DD participates in a sport that cuts leave or break, you might even get less time. In the CGA family you will learn "semper gumby" always flexible.

There was a mother that flew to Iceland to meet her DD on Eagle. Unfortunately Eagle was delayed in London waiting for a part to repair a navigational system. Eagle arrived in port as she was on runway departing.

My DS traveled to Maine to board Eagle. Due to luggage restriction, he was packing some of his roommate's gear and his roommate had his Trops (summer uniform). One bus was delayed getting to Maine by over a day. My DS was one of several cadets that couldn't leave the dock even though he had liberty, because his uniform was on the late bus.
 
My son was on the Triathlon Team his first two years. There was plenty of time after the event to spend time with him. We brought a picnic for the team to one event. Another was near the hometown of one of the coaches, so we all (team, parents) went over and had lunch there. After that he switched to hockey. I ended up shuttling players back and forth to CGA if I went to a game (I don't live close, I chose home games and made the trip).
 
During one of our visits to CGA, I was told "unofficially" by an officer that was a graduate that during Swab summer you could attend Sunday Services at the Chapel and "just happen to run into" your cadet. Likely to spend sometime with your cadet, not sure how much though.
 
WRT church services, that was true when we were there for the Mystic Ceremony. During church services the next day there was no respect of rank (w/in reason). We were allowed to sit with our Swab as directed by cadre, and had time with him after, with some of his fellow swabs, for donuts, coffee and juice. But they were watching their watches, and eventually marched off for more Swab "activities".
 
During one of our visits to CGA, I was told "unofficially" by an officer that was a graduate that during Swab summer you could attend Sunday Services at the Chapel and "just happen to run into" your cadet. Likely to spend sometime with your cadet, not sure how much though.

This is basically true, however please keep in mind that SWAB summer is a difficult time and that your DS/DD also needs some down time with his/her new company mates. Every year there are a few parents that go overboard in trying to work every opportunity to 'see' their SWAB. This can often make it more difficult for your DS/DD to make the adjustment into military life.

If you are the parent of a soon to be SWAB that has accepted, I would suggest you search out the USCGA parents class of 20xx on FB and request to join. You will be joined with other soon to be USCGA parents and selected parents from both alumni and upper class years. Lots of opportunities to solicit advice from those that have already ridden the SWAB roller coaster.
 
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