Tips from a CGA grad + question

scooter2u

scooter2u

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Recently, a good friend of mine and a CGA grad, stopped by to chat with my DS about swab summer. His main tips were, 1. Practice ironing with spray starch. 2. Practice shining shoes. 3. Sign up for a sponsor family. 4. Make friend with kids who are local to the general area. 5. Use a sleeping bag, so you don't have to mess around too much making your bed in the moring. He also said that he used duct tape to fasten the underside of the beadspread to keep it taught. Then he would stow the bag someplace everyday. So my question is, is using a sleeping bag permitted during swab summer? or is that better left for the fall semester?
 
Sleeping bag definitely not allowed. A lot of us slept in our bathrobes to stay warm last summer. The duct tape also wouldn't work during the summer because cadre toss your room everyday and would not be happy to see you using it.

During the school year both are fine.
 
Our DS was a swab summer Platoon XO.. this is what he says: duct taping your rack during swab summer is a NO. Sleeping bag is also a NO during swab summer. Once the school year starts everyone uses a sleeping bag or blanket and stows them in their drawer during the day.
 
Don't bring anything that isn't on the list to swab summer! I just used one of my clean towels as a blanket during swab summer. During the school year I use a blanket that I just fold up and leave in a drawer in the morning because it is more comfortable to me than a sleeping bag. Honestly, I don't think it is worth it to practice ironing with starch. I never did, and I did fine, my cadre even used my ironed shirts as an example and told me to teach others. They will teach you how to prep your uniforms during swab summer, most people have never done it before. Instead, I would exercise and get as fit as you can for swab summer!
 
scooter2u said:
Recently, a good friend of mine and a CGA grad, stopped by to chat with my DS about swab summer. His main tips were, 1. Practice ironing with spray starch. 2. Practice shining shoes. 3. Sign up for a sponsor family. 4. Make friend with kids who are local to the general area. 5. Use a sleeping bag, so you don't have to mess around too much making your bed in the moring. He also said that he used duct tape to fasten the underside of the beadspread to keep it taught. Then he would stow the bag someplace everyday. So my question is, is using a sleeping bag permitted during swab summer? or is that better left for the fall semester?
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Agree with @DeltaDogs - do not let your DS worry about learning to use starch or how to shine his shoes. The cadre have set learning objectives the swabs are required to meet from week to week, uniform preparation and appearance is a large part of that in the first couple of weeks. I'm a child of a two career military parents - didn't touch a shoe shining kit until swab summer and I did just fine. It's not rocket science - if your DS met the requirements to be admitted, he will certainly be able to figure out these minor things with the help of his cadre and classmates. (Note: If he does struggle, this is where prior enlisted and prior CGAS classmates come in handy!)

As for numbers 3 and 4 - your DS should sign up for a sponsor family if he feels it will be good for him. I ended up signing up for one, they were extremely nice people but I really only maintained a relationship with them my 4/c year. After that, I really just used weekends to spend time with friends, get homework done, and travel (both w/ CGA and on my own with friends). One of my friends had a great relationship with her sponsor family and I believe they're still in touch. It all depends. As to making friends with classmates who are local, do so if you actually click with them as people - if you do, there's a high possibility you'll get your own pseudo sponsor family and be invited back to their place. Both options are great chances to get out of Chase Hall and be a comfortable environment.

The best thing your DS can do for swab summer is to be as physically fit as possible, make sure all the required documents are complete, and all of the required items are purchased. USCGA has been doing this for a long time - sure, there are always benefits to insider information but it's not necessary. One tip I would recommend is to have your DS write a letter to himself about why he chose USCGA and send it to him with your first batch of letters or care package. He will very likely question whether he wants to be there at least once during swab summer, and definitely at least a couple more times throughout his four years there. The letter is a helpful reminder that comes from him, not from a parent or loved one. Other than that, tell your DS to go in with a positive mindset and with a willingness to help others.

I couldn't help but laugh as I read through what others used to sleep under as a swab - I also used my bathrobe. Despite this year's incoming class being 10 years behind mine :eek:, it looks like some things never change.
 
Agree with the above suggestions/clarifications. My advice is to run...and run a lot! Add in sit-ups and push-ups. Throw in some wall sits, flutter kicks, leg lifts, planks. If any ONE thing makes swab summer infinitely harder is to show up NOT IN SHAPE! Swabs run A LOT, and CGA is very hilly. Also being fit will help avoid injury during swab summer. If you want an additional challenge, learn how to climb a rope!
Physical fitness can not be stressed enough as an important factor for swab summer success.
Also, pack ONLY what's on the list! :)
 
trackandfield08 said:
Agree with @DeltaDogs - do not let your DS worry about learning to use starch or how to shine his shoes. The cadre have set learning objectives the swabs are required to meet from week to week, uniform preparation and appearance is a large part of that in the first couple of weeks. I'm a child of a two career military parents - didn't touch a shoe shining kit until swab summer and I did just fine. It's not rocket science - if your DS met the requirements to be admitted, he will certainly be able to figure out these minor things with the help of his cadre and classmates. (Note: If he does struggle, this is where prior enlisted and prior CGAS classmates come in handy!)

As for numbers 3 and 4 - your DS should sign up for a sponsor family if he feels it will be good for him. I ended up signing up for one, they were extremely nice people but I really only maintained a relationship with them my 4/c year. After that, I really just used weekends to spend time with friends, get homework done, and travel (both w/ CGA and on my own with friends). One of my friends had a great relationship with her sponsor family and I believe they're still in touch. It all depends. As to making friends with classmates who are local, do so if you actually click with them as people - if you do, there's a high possibility you'll get your own pseudo sponsor family and be invited back to their place. Both options are great chances to get out of Chase Hall and be a comfortable environment.

The best thing your DS can do for swab summer is to be as physically fit as possible, make sure all the required documents are complete, and all of the required items are purchased. USCGA has been doing this for a long time - sure, there are always benefits to insider information but it's not necessary. One tip I would recommend is to have your DS write a letter to himself about why he chose USCGA and send it to him with your first batch of letters or care package. He will very likely question whether he wants to be there at least once during swab summer, and definitely at least a couple more times throughout his four years there. The letter is a helpful reminder that comes from him, not from a parent or loved one. Other than that, tell your DS to go in with a positive mindset and with a willingness to help others.

I couldn't help but laugh as I read through what others used to sleep under as a swab - I also used my bathrobe. Despite this year's incoming class being 10 years behind mine :eek:, it looks like some things never change.
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Are you still in the Coast Guard?
 
scooter2u said:
Are you still in the Coast Guard?
Click to expand...

Yep! I just hit my sixth year on active duty last week. In all honestly, I wasn't expecting to stay in past my initial five year commitment, not because I don't love the Coast Guard, but because I have so many different interests and potential paths I'd like to explore. However, I love what I'm doing and I love the mission. If you or your son have any questions about what it's like to be a JO, I'm more than happy to be a resource for you.
 
trackandfield08 said:
Yep! I just hit my sixth year on active duty last week. In all honestly, I wasn't expecting to stay in past my initial five year commitment, not because I don't love the Coast Guard, but because I have so many different interests and potential paths I'd like to explore. However, I love what I'm doing and I love the mission. If you or your son have any questions about what it's like to be a JO, I'm more than happy to be a resource for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. I'll pass it along to my son. I tried to get him interested in the AF like his old man, but the kid likes boats. If all goes to plan, he'll be on the CGA track team this fall.
 
"Sleeping bag definitely not allowed."

Training Cadre regardless if it is Service Academy or Police Academy, they hate it when you create short cuts that keep them from harassing you or what they call building character.
 
alaska66 said:
Agree with the above suggestions/clarifications. My advice is to run...and run a lot! Add in sit-ups and push-ups. Throw in some wall sits, flutter kicks, leg lifts, planks. If any ONE thing makes swab summer infinitely harder is to show up NOT IN SHAPE! Swabs run A LOT, and CGA is very hilly. Also being fit will help avoid injury during swab summer. If you want an additional challenge, learn how to climb a rope!
Physical fitness can not be stressed enough as an important factor for swab summer success.
Also, pack ONLY what's on the list! :)
Click to expand...
I'll mention to him not to worry about learning how to shine shoes... after he practices on my old boots. :)
 
scooter2u said:
Thanks for that. I'll pass it along to my son. I tried to get him interested in the AF like his old man, but the kid likes boats. If all goes to plan, he'll be on the CGA track team this fall.
Click to expand...

Your son and I have even more in common! I also betrayed the family business (USAF) in my decision to join the Coast Guard. I did have momentary regret during my 2/c year when I returned home and visited both of my parents' squadrons while on leave. The familiarity of AF bases was very potent and I even researched cross commissioning options. Ultimately, the Coast Guard is the service for me and I couldn't be happier.
 
Don't "prepare" beyond acclimating to heat. That may have been more important in the past when Chase Hall was a/c free, but you'll still be running in the heat and CGA is pretty hilly.
 
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