This is news to me, are you sure? It definitely was a tradition kept alive for the 2026 Swabs/4Cs.Also, I understand that meal squaring has been eliminated at USCGA for Swabs an 4/C cadets
This is news to me, are you sure? It definitely was a tradition kept alive for the 2026 Swabs/4Cs.Also, I understand that meal squaring has been eliminated at USCGA for Swabs an 4/C cadets
Even if they don't officially keep track of the number of boxes, PLEASE keep it to 1 box a week and please keep them to nothing larger than approximately the size of the USPS medium priority box.Either this is new, or the person checking us out did it incorrectly. We stuffed the box full of items purchased from the Parents Assoc, and were charged $10 for one small item from home. Not a big deal, I just didn’t know that was their policy and I’m letting other parents know. I also wanted to let parents know their swab will receive a free box, if they didn’t want to purchase. I didn’t realize that. And during last summer, they didn’t keep track the number of boxes the swabs received.
Yes, my cadet (‘25) also mentioned that squaring is going to be eliminated. He said that it was something wanted by the health center to ensure that swabs are getting enough to eat/drink.This is news to me, are you sure? It definitely was a tradition kept alive for the 2026 Swabs/4Cs.
That’s really good to hear!Yes, my cadet (‘25) also mentioned that squaring is going to be eliminated. He said that it was something wanted by the health center to ensure that swabs are getting enough to eat/drink.
4/C cadets ARE swabs and remain that way until they are permitted to wear red shields (as of yesterday).Also, I understand that meal squaring has been eliminated at USCGA for Swabs an 4/C cadets
Is this true? If so, my DS will be thrilled as he wasn't a fan of meal squaring during AIM. But he is fully prepared for it;-)Also, I understand that meal squaring has been eliminated at USCGA for Swabs an 4/C cadets
They most definitely do square their meals in swab summer. This continues till around Spring of the 4C year when all the cadets in the class have passed the knowledge exam... I think its called full carry on?The box sale is a fund raiser for one of the Parents Association Chapters, and all funds go back to supporting the Corps of Cadets. It is not mandatory, but most parents do buy one and enjoy filling it up with snacks and treats for their swab. It is an extra delivery to them in the first week or so that does not count towards their weekly mailed package. The Cadre enjoy delivering tham also.
There is a surcharge if the majority of the items in the box were not sold by the Parents Association. This sale is an anourmous amount of work for the parents who coordinate it, and they do make sure to have a big variety. For this chapter it is their only fundraiser of the whole year, so please consider giving them your support and shipping the special things that your swab will want in the USPS boxes. Again, all funds go back to supporting the cadets.
Also, I understand that meal squaring has been eliminated at USCGA for Swabs an 4/C cadets
Don't believe everything you read on here. That comment about eliminating squaring of meals was some VERY BAD intel.Is this true? If so, my DS will be thrilled as he wasn't a fan of meal squaring during AIM. But he is fully prepared for it;-)
My (now) 2/C son who will be cadre during swab summer said that the sqaring is not actually eliminated but modified to the point where it's not really squaring in the sense of what previous classes went through. I gather that swabs will be allowed to look at their food which will make eating so, so, so much easier.Don't believe everything you read on here. That comment about eliminating squaring of meals was some VERY BAD intel.
Now if we could get them to glance at the ground so they don't twist their foot in a hole, that'd be lovely.My (now) 2/C son who will be cadre during swab summer said that the sqaring is not actually eliminated but modified to the point where it's not really squaring in the sense of what previous classes went through. I gather that swabs will be allowed to look at their food which will make eating so, so, so much easier.
I can’t speak for the Coast Guard Academy, but typically during the initial indoctrination training in various military settings, the newbies all have to make their first report outside their hatches in the morning at attention, bedding in hand. Then the mad dash inside to work in teams to speed-make the bed to standards.Has anyone heard of bringing a sleeping bag in which to sleep on top of the covers so as to keep the bed made to standard?
No. It's not on the list, and I highly doubt they would be allowed to use a sleeping bag during swab summer. I don't recall if there is a requirement to actually use the covers during swab summer or not, but I know that a nice blanket was one of the first items my daughter asked me to send her at the end of her swab summer. She's a firstie now and still sleeps on top of her made rack with just the blanket for covers. She folds it up each morning and puts it away, and then she quickly straightens out her rack. I think the majority of cadets never use their covers and just use a blanket.Has anyone heard of bringing a sleeping bag in which to sleep on top of the covers so as to keep the bed made to standard?
Class of ‘25 cadet:Has anyone heard of bringing a sleeping bag in which to sleep on top of the covers so as to keep the bed made to standard?
I was wondering about shower shoes also. It's not on the list.How about shower shoes to prevent athlete's foot?
I’m sure if not on the list, they’ll issue. Especially something like that. They issue an insane amount of stuff! Someone posted pictures of all of it on the 2027 parent Facebook groupI was wondering about shower shoes also. It's not on the list.
I didn't know they gave them all of that stuff, especially the shoes! I figured they got a pair of boots.Seriously. Trust the list because it's built around the mountain of stuff they get. For example for footwear I think they get boondockers (ie boots), sperry topsiders, low quarters, shower shoes and possibly athletic shoes. Not entirely sure about the athletic shoes since you bring your own to swab summer, but honestly after four pairs the point is made that you stick to the list.