Rising 3/c Summer Assignments Other Than Eagle

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PapiBear

Class of 2025 Parent
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Sep 22, 2020
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Anyone have insight on the summer assignments process for rising 3/c cadets?

While overwhelming majority of cadets go to Eagle for six weeks in Phase I or Phase II, a small number of cadets go directly to a cutter for 11 weeks.

Is there anything rational or significance to this 11 week cutter assignment path? Is it a matter of numbers and not all 3/c can be accommodated on Eagle? Or a Honor, short straw, or simply luck of the draw?

In terms of development, Is it an comparative peer advantage to have the extra time in fleet on AD security patrol or disadvantage to not get 6 week traditional seamanship experience?

Appreciate any direct knowledge insights on assignment selections and/or sharing perspectives on the advantages/disadvantages of those two paths would be greatly appreciated.
 
The rising 3/c cadets are able to submit their preferences, but (at least last year), it didn't seem like their preferences had any influence on the assignment they actually received.

The main assignments the rising 3/c cadets will get could be:
1) 5-6 weeks on Eagle. This is a training vessel, and it is a great experience to live and work on the Eagle. They get to travel to cool places, learn many new skills, experience living at sea full time, and many of the cadets have a chance to bond with cadets who they may have not even met before. Not all cadets can be accommodated on Eagle, even with 2 sailings. So there will always be a few that do not get time on Eagle during 3/c summer. For the class of 2024, they did not get their week on Eagle during swab summer due to covid, so that means some 2024 cadets still have not had more than just a day trip on Eagle. I believe for all other years, everyone at least had 1 week on Eagle during swab summer.
2) 5-6 weeks at a small boat station. Depending on the station, they will have a chance to get qualifications, to go on Search and Rescue missions, go on boardings, spend time helping with boat maintenance, etc. My daughter loved her time at her small boat station, but she would have preferred to have time on a cutter. Small boat stations are manned by enlisted, so this assignment did not give her any real insight into a possible assignment after graduation.
3) 5-6 weeks on a cutter or possibly 11 weeks on a cutter. Cutter assignments can vary. Sometimes they end up docked most of the time, but sometimes they are at sea at least part of the time. The size of the cutters vary as well. The majority of cadets will go to a cutter after graduation, so a cutter assignment gives a rising 3/c the best chance to see what a future assignment might be like. I know that many of the cadets assigned on cutters last year worked on various certifications as well.

I'm not sure why a few people are assigned to cutters for 11 weeks vs 5-6. It may simply be based on the schedule for when the cutters will be out to sea. Also, cutters can request that cadets be assigned if they need the assistance. Last year, over 30 rising 3/c cadets (might have been as many as 50) had their summer assignments changed after their initial assignments because some additional cutters requested to have cadets for 5-6 weeks. This meant some cadets had 2 cutter assignments.
 
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ProudMom7 - Thank you especially for the 2024 insights. That’s a class who’s academy experience has been presented with its own unique set of challenges and experiences. They’ve had to deal with, adapt and overcome more than most including things no class before or after has had to face. An additional manpower pool is another factor to consider, great input!
 
ProudMom7 said:
The rising 3/c cadets are able to submit their preferences, but (at least last year), it didn't seem like their preferences had any influence on the assignment they actually received.

The main assignments the rising 3/c cadets will get could be:
1) 5-6 weeks on Eagle. This is a training vessel, and it is a great experience to live and work on the Eagle. They get to travel to cool places, learn many new skills, experience living at sea full time, and many of the cadets have a chance to bond with cadets who they may have not even met before. Not all cadets can be accommodated on Eagle, even with 2 sailings. So there will always be a few that do not get time on Eagle during 3/c summer. For the class of 2024, they did not get their week on Eagle during swab summer due to covid, so that means some 2024 cadets still have not had more than just a day trip on Eagle. I believe for all other years, everyone at least had 1 week on Eagle during swab summer.
2) 5-6 weeks at a small boat station. Depending on the station, they will have a chance to get qualifications, to go on Search and Rescue missions, go on boardings, spend time helping with boat maintenance, etc. My daughter loved her time at her small boat station, but she would have preferred to have time on a cutter. Small boat stations are manned by enlisted, so this assignment did not give her any real insight into a possible assignment after graduation.
3) 5-6 weeks on a cutter or possibly 11 weeks on a cutter. Cutter assignments can vary. Sometimes they end up docked most of the time, but sometimes they are at sea at least part of the time. The size of the cutters vary as well. The majority of cadets will go to a cutter after graduation, so a cutter assignment gives a rising 3/c the best chance to see what a future assignment might be like. I know that many of the cadets assigned on cutters last year worked on various certifications as well.

I'm not sure why a few people are assigned to cutters for 11 weeks vs 5-6. It may simply be based on the schedule for when the cutters will be out to sea. Also, cutters can request that cadets be assigned if they need the assistance. Last year, over 30 rising 3/c cadets (might have been as many as 50) had their summer assignments changed after their initial assignments because some additional cutters requested to have cadets for 5-6 weeks. This meant some cadets had 2 cutter assignments.
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Forgot to mention - another option for summer assignments for a rising 3/c is 5-6 weeks of Summer School. This could be if a cadet was struggling and had to retake a class, or if they requested to switch majors and need to catch up on required classes for that new major. Most of the 4/c take the same classes, but there is at least one major-specific class in the spring of 4/c year.
 
ProudMom7 said:
The rising 3/c cadets are able to submit their preferences, but (at least last year), it didn't seem like their preferences had any influence on the assignment they actually received.

The main assignments the rising 3/c cadets will get could be:
1) 5-6 weeks on Eagle. This is a training vessel, and it is a great experience to live and work on the Eagle. They get to travel to cool places, learn many new skills, experience living at sea full time, and many of the cadets have a chance to bond with cadets who they may have not even met before. Not all cadets can be accommodated on Eagle, even with 2 sailings. So there will always be a few that do not get time on Eagle during 3/c summer. For the class of 2024, they did not get their week on Eagle during swab summer due to covid, so that means some 2024 cadets still have not had more than just a day trip on Eagle. I believe for all other years, everyone at least had 1 week on Eagle during swab summer.
2) 5-6 weeks at a small boat station. Depending on the station, they will have a chance to get qualifications, to go on Search and Rescue missions, go on boardings, spend time helping with boat maintenance, etc. My daughter loved her time at her small boat station, but she would have preferred to have time on a cutter. Small boat stations are manned by enlisted, so this assignment did not give her any real insight into a possible assignment after graduation.
3) 5-6 weeks on a cutter or possibly 11 weeks on a cutter. Cutter assignments can vary. Sometimes they end up docked most of the time, but sometimes they are at sea at least part of the time. The size of the cutters vary as well. The majority of cadets will go to a cutter after graduation, so a cutter assignment gives a rising 3/c the best chance to see what a future assignment might be like. I know that many of the cadets assigned on cutters last year worked on various certifications as well.

I'm not sure why a few people are assigned to cutters for 11 weeks vs 5-6. It may simply be based on the schedule for when the cutters will be out to sea. Also, cutters can request that cadets be assigned if they need the assistance. Last year, over 30 rising 3/c cadets (might have been as many as 50) had their summer assignments changed after their initial assignments because some additional cutters requested to have cadets for 5-6 weeks. This meant some cadets had 2 cutter assignments.
Click to expand...

I think, unless things have changed greatly, that a cadet can go on "Search and Rescue Missions", but unless they can get qualified as a Boarding Team Member, including weapons qualifications, the likelihood of being able to do a Boarding is very low, because policy (at least a while ago) stated ALL Boarding Team Members shall be qualified as Boat Crewmen, Qualified on all weapons, and self defense, and be "designated" as such by the OinC or CO. And remember, quite a few Small Boat Stations are commanded by Commissioned Officers, especially the ones doing heavy L/E like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, the Keys and South Texas.

And I agree with you regarding "cutter" assignments, if you are lucky enough to get assigned to an FRC or WPB then you would stand a really good chance of working on your Deck Watch Quals, or Engineering Quals. Not sure about doing any L/E stuff, again CO's don't like sending unqualified, unarmed personnel on L/E missions. Some of the smaller cutters have limited space onboard their cutter boats and putting an additional person on there who is unable to assist if a situation arose would not be good.

These responses are qualified as "if you are not qualified on weapons when you arrive". If you can get "qualified" at CGA prior to going on summer assignment, then you can probably participate in L/E as a trainee, and not BTM or BO. But at least you could be there and watch and learn, but having weapons qualifications I think would be paramount in any Law Enforcement situation.

It used to be that "cadets' were not authorized to carry weapons, that may have changed, but it used to be cadets learned to drive the boats/cutters, navigate in restricted areas, and learn about leadership and the responsibilities of command. If there is someone here with more recent knowledge, please speak up...:)
 
I would just add that it is less scientific than you think for 3/c summer. In the end of the day, they have slots to fill, and the slots keep changing as the ships go to sea, crew shortages appear, etc. They are taking spots of junior enlisted crew in the 3/c leadership program, so what all assignments have in common is that you are learning the daily ship enlisted type of jobs. The summers are divided into Pt 1 and Pt 2, so most will get two unique experiences to take in and learn from. Some who got 11 weeks NSC loved it, some hated it, and everything in between.

To answer your question more directly, there is no advantage or disadvantage to your assignment at the 3/c summer. The main take away is it gives the cadet perspective for fleet assignments as they begin to learn what they like best.

On the other hand, for 1/c summer, chose wisely because most cadets generally get posted to billets that are high on their preference sheet. Especially if your class rank is high. Hawaii and Alaska are popular but the top of the class rank is who you mainly see in those slots. Many couples try to co-locate to fun spots like Puerto Rico to spend the summer together. Also, many take internships for one part of the summer.
 
Impulsive said:
I think, unless things have changed greatly, that a cadet can go on "Search and Rescue Missions", but unless they can get qualified as a Boarding Team Member, including weapons qualifications, the likelihood of being able to do a Boarding is very low, because policy (at least a while ago) stated ALL Boarding Team Members shall be qualified as Boat Crewmen, Qualified on all weapons, and self defense, and be "designated" as such by the OinC or CO. And remember, quite a few Small Boat Stations are commanded by Commissioned Officers, especially the ones doing heavy L/E like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, the Keys and South Texas.

And I agree with you regarding "cutter" assignments, if you are lucky enough to get assigned to an FRC or WPB then you would stand a really good chance of working on your Deck Watch Quals, or Engineering Quals. Not sure about doing any L/E stuff, again CO's don't like sending unqualified, unarmed personnel on L/E missions. Some of the smaller cutters have limited space onboard their cutter boats and putting an additional person on there who is unable to assist if a situation arose would not be good.

These responses are qualified as "if you are not qualified on weapons when you arrive". If you can get "qualified" at CGA prior to going on summer assignment, then you can probably participate in L/E as a trainee, and not BTM or BO. But at least you could be there and watch and learn, but having weapons qualifications I think would be paramount in any Law Enforcement situation.

It used to be that "cadets' were not authorized to carry weapons, that may have changed, but it used to be cadets learned to drive the boats/cutters, navigate in restricted areas, and learn about leadership and the responsibilities of command. If there is someone here with more recent knowledge, please speak up...:)
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I agree that it varies greatly depending on the cutter and depending on the small boat station. My daughter got pistol qualified in the first week and she was able to participate in boardings. I'm not sure to what extent, but she definitely talked about them because she is very interested in LE. She also participated in multiple SARs. She was at a fairly small station. I know some cadets said they did not get to do as much at their station and didn't have as much fun. Others got to go up in a helicopter since their station coordinated with a nearby air station. It really varies. It also is up to each cadet how much they get out of it.
For cutters, my daughter has some friends who had a great experience and others who didn't. It is hard to tell. The cadets should just learn as much as they can and enjoy the experience.
 
Impulsive said:
I think, unless things have changed greatly, that a cadet can go on "Search and Rescue Missions", but unless they can get qualified as a Boarding Team Member, including weapons qualifications, the likelihood of being able to do a Boarding is very low, because policy (at least a while ago) stated ALL Boarding Team Members shall be qualified as Boat Crewmen, Qualified on all weapons, and self defense, and be "designated" as such by the OinC or CO. And remember, quite a few Small Boat Stations are commanded by Commissioned Officers, especially the ones doing heavy L/E like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, the Keys and South Texas.

And I agree with you regarding "cutter" assignments, if you are lucky enough to get assigned to an FRC or WPB then you would stand a really good chance of working on your Deck Watch Quals, or Engineering Quals. Not sure about doing any L/E stuff, again CO's don't like sending unqualified, unarmed personnel on L/E missions. Some of the smaller cutters have limited space onboard their cutter boats and putting an additional person on there who is unable to assist if a situation arose would not be good.

These responses are qualified as "if you are not qualified on weapons when you arrive". If you can get "qualified" at CGA prior to going on summer assignment, then you can probably participate in L/E as a trainee, and not BTM or BO. But at least you could be there and watch and learn, but having weapons qualifications I think would be paramount in any Law Enforcement situation.

It used to be that "cadets' were not authorized to carry weapons, that may have changed, but it used to be cadets learned to drive the boats/cutters, navigate in restricted areas, and learn about leadership and the responsibilities of command. If there is someone here with more recent knowledge, please speak up...:)
Click to expand...
That’s insightful, reassuring and makes a lot of sense - thank you for taking the time to share your insights!
 
Haveaniceday said:
I would just add that it is less scientific than you think for 3/c summer. In the end of the day, they have slots to fill, and the slots keep changing as the ships go to sea, crew shortages appear, etc. They are taking spots of junior enlisted crew in the 3/c leadership program, so what all assignments have in common is that you are learning the daily ship enlisted type of jobs. The summers are divided into Pt 1 and Pt 2, so most will get two unique experiences to take in and learn from. Some who got 11 weeks NSC loved it, some hated it, and everything in between.

To answer your question more directly, there is no advantage or disadvantage to your assignment at the 3/c summer. The main take away is it gives the cadet perspective for fleet assignments as they begin to learn what they like best.

On the other hand, for 1/c summer, chose wisely because most cadets generally get posted to billets that are high on their preference sheet. Especially if your class rank is high. Hawaii and Alaska are popular but the top of the class rank is who you mainly see in those slots. Many couples try to co-locate to fun spots like Puerto Rico to spend the summer together. Also, many take internships for one part of the summer.
Click to expand...
Haveaniceday thanks for the response. That’s more or less what I figured - it’s fairly analogous to careers - it’s more about what you make of the opportunities you are given. Some of my best assignments were ones I didn’t ask for or have grand expectations. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights!
 
My DD called yesterday with her 3C summer assignments, so they should be out. She got a west coast small boat station and the second half Eagle so she was pretty happy.
 
Quite a few class of 2021 rising 3c cadets went to cutters as there was not enough room on the Eagle. They had a very large class! Our son was one who went to a cutter for 11 weeks and had a great time. He said that since he was on the Eagle for 10 days during swab summer that he wanted to try something else.
 
Their assignments were released last week. Some have 11 weeks on a cutter, some have 6 with the other half on Eagle. Some are assigned to small boat stations. Others do have summer school assignments. I was very surprised looking at list of assignments seeing how they vary so much.
 
Last summer, DD requested and got an 11-week assignment on a NSC, or WMSL (pronounced whim-sel). She wanted a cutter assignment because she didn't want to wait until the 1c summer to try out what she would likely be doing upon graduation. She loved it. IIRC, she worked on deck watch and navigation (and maybe engineering) quals, and got some damage control and other quals. They had her doing lots of extra duties, too, including giving a sexual harassment class to the whole crew, and training new crewmembers on navigation. And she tagged along when the crew went to the pistol range, too (got sharpshooter!). At the end of the assignment, she was dropped off in Hawaii, while the cutter continued west. Again IIRC, she said only 6 females got cutter assignments that summer.
 
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