What items can I have after Swab Summer?

service12

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Nov 22, 2021
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Hi there,

I had a question regarding what items we are allowed to have after we complete Swab Summer. I read somewhere that it depends mostly on what company you are in, but I was wondering if there was a general list? Or if there was a limit on the number of personal items you are allowed to have like at other service academies such as USAFA?
 
Yes there is a limit, and you will be provided with what can be brought with you for Rday/Swab Summer. If you stick to the list you will be ok, if you bring extra personal items the cadre may not approve. The company/cadre may play into it but it is best to stick to the list and have any additional items sent to you once you determine what the limit is.
 
Also, once SS is over there will be opportunities to go shopping on the weekends to get any additional items you may need/want.
 
There really isn't that much of a limit. You can bring most anything you want. Some things may be restricted 4/c year - the biggest thing that comes to mind is video game systems. You can't put posters and such all over the wall, but generally it really isn't super restricted. Is there anything in particular you had in mind? I could give specific answers if you have specific questions.
 
It is more about the amount of stuff and keeping everything organized and put in its place. You generally will get one "personal shelf" for personal items. Depending on how your particular room is organized, that could be a small bookshelf or it could be a single shelf above your desk. Otherwise, items have to be stored away in their place. As ekb1398, items on the wall are quite restricted. Also, due to construction (which is supposed to last through spring of 2024), about half the rooms are triples. The cadets that are tripled up in a normal double room have less storage space and personal space than they normally would.
 
Hi there,

I had a question regarding what items we are allowed to have after we complete Swab Summer. I read somewhere that it depends mostly on what company you are in, but I was wondering if there was a general list? Or if there was a limit on the number of personal items you are allowed to have like at other service academies such as USAFA?
Only bring what’s on the packing list and you’ll be fine. Day 1’s wild, and you don’t want extra, unauthorized items to slow you down and make you stick out. Have your parents send it the week before Swab Summer ends. There’s a week period (CAP week) between Swab Summer and school where you can get school supplies. You’ll also have your Swab Summer paychecks to go to the store and buy stuff too. There’s limited personal storage, sure, but it’s really manageable. There’s a specific layout to your room, and it isn’t like you’ll have any clothes other than what you’re issued to fold and organize. Personally, I find organizing my closet and dresser the most difficult (back home). The misc. items are easy to organize to, if you follow the directions.

Stick to the packing list… Maybe throw some cough drops in your bag though. I heard your throats gonna kill you all summer.
 
I heard your throats gonna kill you all summer.
Eating a spoonful of honey at every meal also helped a lot. It sounds tedious and will be hard while the cadre are staring you down from both ends of the table, but it’s well worth it if you don’t want to destroy your throat.
(P.S. learn to sound off from your diaphragm and not your throat, it will save you tremendously)
 
Eating a spoonful of honey at every meal also helped a lot. It sounds tedious and will be hard while the cadre are staring you down from both ends of the table, but it’s well worth it if you don’t want to destroy your throat.
(P.S. learn to sound off from your diaphragm and not your throat, it will save you tremendously)
My cadre encouraged us to eat honey, haha. They were doing it alongside us. Within the first week of Phase Two, my CC and a few other cadre even lost their voices.
 
Only bring what’s on the packing list and you’ll be fine. Day 1’s wild, and you don’t want extra, unauthorized items to slow you down and make you stick out. Have your parents send it the week before Swab Summer ends. There’s a week period (CAP week) between Swab Summer and school where you can get school supplies. You’ll also have your Swab Summer paychecks to go to the store and buy stuff too. There’s limited personal storage, sure, but it’s really manageable. There’s a specific layout to your room, and it isn’t like you’ll have any clothes other than what you’re issued to fold and organize. Personally, I find organizing my closet and dresser the most difficult (back home). The misc. items are easy to organize to, if you follow the directions.

Stick to the packing list… Maybe throw some cough drops in your bag though. I heard your throats gonna kill you all summer.
I'm utilizing my son's account. My son is a 4/C USCGA Class of 2025. During Swab Summer it's a great thing to receive weekly care packages from home (No caffeinated items and everything should be shipped in a USPS Priority Mail Medium-size flat rate box or something the same dimensions or smaller). After Swab Summer finished my son said, "Please don't send anymore care packages. I don't have space." After Swab Summer and CAP week is finished, you will have everything you need to begin the school year. Also, there will be ample time to pick up any miscellaneous items you want at either the Coast Guard Exchange, Cadet Store, or out in town (Target, Walmart, etc.). Be mindful though of what personal items are allowed or prohibited, manner of display or storage, and your limited in-room storage limitations because not all companies rules are identical (they're supposed to be uniform rules, but interpretations by senior cadets and company officers differ). During our weekly phone calls my son's always says, "Dad, I don't need anything and I don't have anywhere to put it anyways." Chase Hall has a giant storage room where cadets can place their unauthorized or excess personal items (suitcases, musical instruments, etc.). My son is a trombone player with the Windjammers Drum and Bugle Corps, Cadet Jazz Band, and Cadet Concert Band. He brought his personal trombone from home to USCGA, and at first, couldn't store his instrument in his room. Later, he routed a special request chit and received permission to store it in his room. Before receiving permission to store it in his room, he would keep it in the storage room. He said, "Dad, it's a hassle to keep going back and forth from the storage area and asking the duty personnel for the storage room lock keys. They're not always readily available." As far as Day 1 is concerned, only bring what's on the list or what you have received prior permission to bring; i.e. musical instruments, specific sports equipment, etc.
 
I'm utilizing my son's account. My son is a 4/C USCGA Class of 2025. During Swab Summer it's a great thing to receive weekly care packages from home (No caffeinated items and everything should be shipped in a USPS Priority Mail Medium-size flat rate box or something the same dimensions or smaller). After Swab Summer finished my son said, "Please don't send anymore care packages. I don't have space." After Swab Summer and CAP week is finished, you will have everything you need to begin the school year. Also, there will be ample time to pick up any miscellaneous items you want at either the Coast Guard Exchange, Cadet Store, or out in town (Target, Walmart, etc.). Be mindful though of what personal items are allowed or prohibited, manner of display or storage, and your limited in-room storage limitations because not all companies rules are identical (they're supposed to be uniform rules, but interpretations by senior cadets and company officers differ). During our weekly phone calls my son's always says, "Dad, I don't need anything and I don't have anywhere to put it anyways." Chase Hall has a giant storage room where cadets can place their unauthorized or excess personal items (suitcases, musical instruments, etc.). My son is a trombone player with the Windjammers Drum and Bugle Corps, Cadet Jazz Band, and Cadet Concert Band. He brought his personal trombone from home to USCGA, and at first, couldn't store his instrument in his room. Later, he routed a special request chit and received permission to store it in his room. Before receiving permission to store it in his room, he would keep it in the storage room. He said, "Dad, it's a hassle to keep going back and forth from the storage area and asking the duty personnel for the storage room lock keys. They're not always readily available." As far as Day 1 is concerned, only bring what's on the list or what you have received prior permission to bring; i.e. musical instruments, specific sports equipment, etc.

I HAVE TO AMMEND MY POST AFTER CONFERRING WITH MY SON. HE DID NOT SUCCESSFULLY ROUTE A SPECIAL REQUEST CHIT TO KEEP HIS TROMBONE IN HIS DORM ROOM. HOWEVER, HE DID MAKE SPACE FOR IT TO BE STOWED IN HIS STAND-UP LOCKER. THE PROBLEM WASN’T WITH IT BEING IN HIS ROOM. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT COULDN’T BE KEPT OUT IN THE OPEN IN THE ROOM.
 
4/c can wear civies at their sponsor family's home (if they participate in the program). Many sponsor families would be happy to store a few clothing items for their cadets.
 
4/c can wear civies at their sponsor family's home (if they participate in the program). Many sponsor families would be happy to store a few clothing items for their cadets.
My son is at his host family’s home right now and certainly enjoys the cities privilege while there!
 
Eating a spoonful of honey at every meal also helped a lot. It sounds tedious and will be hard while the cadre are staring you down from both ends of the table, but it’s well worth it if you don’t want to destroy your throat.
(P.S. learn to sound off from your diaphragm and not your throat, it will save you tremendously)
Yeah, from experience I highly recommend learning to yell from your diaphragm as soon as possible, it isn't fun when the cadre are on you and you have no voice left. I also recommend taking a lot of Vitamin C to build up your immune system. Swabola makes everything, including sounding off, much harder.
 
Is there a link for USCGA clothing so we can buy presents? Thinking of coats and cold weather necessities and items not issued to cadets.
 
Is there a link for USCGA clothing so we can buy presents? Thinking of coats and cold weather necessities and items not issued to cadets.
Another good site is

 
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