Two questions :-) Notification of Appt and What happens after Swab summer

S

slavatka

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Mar 4, 2024
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Hello! First post so bear with me. How is one notified of an appointment if they were deferred from EA to RA or anytime really? Is it a call? An Email? Just update in the bear's den?

After Swab summer is officially over and it's time to start at the Academy, what happens then? Is there a formal ceremony families should plan to come to or do they just start right in to the school year? Do you have to bring your cadet more stuff for the dorm room? Or will do bring all that stuff during swab summer (sheets, clothing they need, etc)?

Thanks!
 
Hi new member! I can speak to the first question you have with my own personal experience. I received a phone call from my admissions officer letting me know that I got an appointment. My portal then updated a few days later, but I got no email that my portal was updated.

Also for the last part of your question, USCGA will let your swab know everything that they need to bring. (They have a checklist)
 
#1) It varies. Many people get a call from a Coach or their AO. But for some, it just shows up in their Bear's Den
#2) At the end of swab summer, there is a very brief Shoulder Board Ceremony. This is the event showing that the swabs have earned the right to wear the shoulder boards and they move from being a swab to a 4/c cadet. The ceremony happens out on the Parade Field and is usually on a Monday following the end of Swab Summer. The swabs are able to request a particular cadre to put on their shoulder boards, but it is a quick ceremony.

Parents are able to be there along the road (as they can be for any events on the parade field), but the cadets do not get any leave afterward. If your parents live close, then perhaps it is worth coming for, but otherwise it is not worth the trip. The cadets just march off at the end and head back into Chase Hall.

You will be issued anything that you need (sheets, etc..) that are not on the list you receive for swab summer. During swab summer, swabs can only receive one package of a limited size each week, and they can't receive a lot of personal items. There are no restrictions on packages after swab summer, so cadets can receive items from Amazon or other places. There is also a liberty bus on weekends that they can use to go to Target and a few other places. However, you will still be restricted on personal storage space in your room.
 
Helen737 said:
When will people start getting notified?
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From what I've read here notifications roll out here and there through March with the last round of notifications on April 1. There's undoubtedly a lot of us on here anxiously awaiting that call.
 
WashCGA said:
From what I've read here notifications roll out here and there through March with the last round of notifications on April 1. There's undoubtedly a lot of us on here anxiously awaiting that call.
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It looks like the thread of appointments to the class of 2028 was just updated with an appt that came in 3/1, so they must have started. Good luck to you!
 
ProudMom7 said:
#1) It varies. Many people get a call from a Coach or their AO. But for some, it just shows up in their Bear's Den
#2) At the end of swab summer, there is a very brief Shoulder Board Ceremony. This is the event showing that the swabs have earned the right to wear the shoulder boards and they move from being a swab to a 4/c cadet. The ceremony happens out on the Parade Field and is usually on a Monday following the end of Swab Summer. The swabs are able to request a particular cadre to put on their shoulder boards, but it is a quick ceremony.

Parents are able to be there along the road (as they can be for any events on the parade field), but the cadets do not get any leave afterward. If your parents live close, then perhaps it is worth coming for, but otherwise it is not worth the trip. The cadets just march off at the end and head back into Chase Hall.

You will be issued anything that you need (sheets, etc..) that are not on the list you receive for swab summer. During swab summer, swabs can only receive one package of a limited size each week, and they can't receive a lot of personal items. There are no restrictions on packages after swab summer, so cadets can receive items from Amazon or other places. There is also a liberty bus on weekends that they can use to go to Target and a few other places. However, you will still be restricted on personal storage space in your room.
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Thank you! Parent here and we don't live very close so wondering when the "important" moments are. Thanks!
 
slavatka said:
Thank you! Parent here and we don't live very close so wondering when the "important" moments are. Thanks!
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Here are a few, roughly in order of importance. You need to weigh out distance, time and cost with how much support you think your swab/cadet may need. Also how well YOU are holding up is a big factor too!

It’s nice to be there for drop off weekend. There are a lot of activities for families throughout the weekend and then Monday after they’re get sworn in, there’s a 15 minute farewell period.

Parents weekend is another big one. Again, lots of planned things as well as a chance to get them off base and stay over night with you.

We live relatively far too, but we also did Labor Day weekend. This is their first long weekend of the school year and it’s just a good chance to visit.

A couple other opportunities would be Mystic Flag Ceremony in mid July. This would be the first chance to see your cadet since the start of swab summer. If you live for away you need to weigh out the distance and cost vs how well you think your swab is holding up based on letters you receive. You only get so see them a couple hours at best assuming they are granted liberty after the ceremony.

Chasing Eagle is another opportunity. Depending what phase of Eagle they’re on, and the schedule, you can visit the port, tour the ship and maybe get some time with your swab is they get liberty, or at least talk to them discreetly while they’re on duty on the ship.
 
slavatka said:
It looks like the thread of appointments to the class of 2028 was just updated with an appt that came in 3/1, so they must have started. Good luck to you!
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I think typically appointment letters are uploaded to Bears Den on Fridays. However, highly likely you’ve gotten a call earlier that week from a coach or AO with the good news. I imagine things are starting to roll full force now!
 
27BearDad said:
Here are a few, roughly in order of importance. You need to weigh out distance, time and cost with how much support you think your swab/cadet may need. Also how well YOU are holding up is a big factor too!

It’s nice to be there for drop off weekend. There are a lot of activities for families throughout the weekend and then Monday after they’re get sworn in, there’s a 15 minute farewell period.

Parents weekend is another big one. Again, lots of planned things as well as a chance to get them off base and stay over night with you.

We live relatively far too, but we also did Labor Day weekend. This is their first long weekend of the school year and it’s just a good chance to visit.

A couple other opportunities would be Mystic Flag Ceremony in mid July. This would be the first chance to see your cadet since the start of swab summer. If you live for away you need to weigh out the distance and cost vs how well you think your swab is holding up based on letters you receive. You only get so see them a couple hours at best assuming they are granted liberty after the ceremony.

Chasing Eagle is another opportunity. Depending what phase of Eagle they’re on, and the schedule, you can visit the port, tour the ship and maybe get some time with your swab is they get liberty, or at least talk to them discreetly while they’re on duty on the ship.
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This is wonderful info. Now he just needs to get in ,lol. Thank you!
 
My DS portal said his application is still waiting to be reviewed 😢 anyone else’s?
 
Helen737 said:
My DS portal said his application is still waiting to be reviewed 😢 anyone else’s?
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I wouldn't worry about that. The checklist in the portal rarely updates in a timely matter. For my daughter, it wasn't until after her appointment that all the boxes were finally checked. I think that's common for most.

Good luck and hang in there!!!
 
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