United States Coast Guard Academy
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100th Day
Each year, typically 100 days to graduation, the tables turn and 4th Class Cadets become “kings for a day,” as 2nd Class Cadets must square corners, brace up, and obey commands from 4th Class Cadets who are allowed to carry on.
ACADEMY CLASS RINGS
In April, 2nd Class Cadets receive the signet ring, which is the cadet symbol of the Alma Mater. Bearing the Academy crest on one side and the individual’s class crest on the other, the ring is worn throughout a cadet’s stay at the Academy and for the rest of his or her life.
COMBINATION COVERS
It is tradition for cadets to place a picture of a loved one or someone special in their combination cover.
COMMENCEMENT FORMAL
Each year during Graduation Week, a formal dance is held in honor of the new Academy graduates and their guests. Graduates, wearing Dinner Dress Whites, attend with their guests to celebrate.
COMMENCEMENT
Graduating Ensigns carry two silver dollars in their pockets. One goes to the Anchor Cadet (the lowest ranking cadet graduating) and the other goes to the first person to render a salute. The new Ensign’s shoulder boards are commonly put on by their loved ones after commencement.
HALLOWED WORDS
“Who Lives Here Reveres Honor, Honors Duty.” It is these few words that express what you should keep steadfast in your mind during your years at the Academy. Those inlaid words on the Quarterdeck of Chase Hall are a symbol of this Honor and should never be tread upon.
LIBERTY BELL
Tradition has it that the cadet who rings the black navigational buoy by the museum will be granted good luck.
OBJEE STATUE
Objee (short for “objectionable presence”) is the Academy’s mascot, a black bear. A statue of Objee stands in the park behind Chase Hall. For morale and spirit, Objee is commonly dressed up before a big athletic game and major events. Objee is dressed in jerseys, team hats, war paint, class t-shirts, or various other cadet uniforms or decorations.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
The President of the United States is Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, and his or her visits to the Coast Guard Academy are an important tradition. Typically, Presidential visits coincide with graduation. During four years at the Academy, every cadet will have the opportunity to see (and many will meet) the President of the United States of America.
RING DANCE
On the Saturday before Graduation, the Ring Dance provides the first official opportunity for 2nd Class Cadets to wear their class rings. At the dinner, the cadet’s escort receives the ring. At the dance, each couple proceeds to the Ring Monument where the escort dips the ring into a bowl containing waters from the world’s seven oceans. This is the “Christening” of the rings and acknowledgement that the cadet’s 1st class year awaits.
SHOULDER BOARD CEREMONY
Welcome to the Corps of Cadets! At the end of Swab Summer, new cadets earn the right to become Fourth Class Cadets. In a shoulder board ceremony held in Crown Park before classes start, they join the Corps of Cadets, as upper class cadets affix Fourth Class shoulder boards on each former Swab.
Play Video about cadets saluting the President
Presidential Inaugurations
Cadets join the other service academies to march in the Presidential Inaugural Parade every four years.
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Play Video about Billet Night
Billet Night
An annual tradition where Commanding Officers, staff, faculty, and alumni celebrate as First Class Cadets learn where they will go for their first assignment in the Coast Guard.
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Play Video about hat toss
The Hat Toss
The combination hat – symbol of cadet life – is tossed away as soon as cadets are commissioned as new officers.
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New uniforms coming soon > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News
We’ve all heard the rumors, some of us have seen the pictures. New operational uniforms – the Coast Guard working uniform (CGWU) – are coming soon! How soon, you ask? Roll out is tracking for the end of fiscal year 2023.
About the transition
Officially, the new CGWU will be available to the entire workforce in the later part of fiscal year 2023, and expected to completely replace the operational dress uniform (ODU) in fiscal year 2025. Once available, you can expect to see the new CGWU in Coast Guard Exchanges – or by placing an order at ShopCGX. Bottom line, if you have just purchased new ODUs – don’t stress. Both sets of uniforms have a service life of about three years. By the time you are ready for an updated uniform, the new CGWUs should be available for your uniform transition.
Enlisted members should see an adjustment to their clothing monthly allowance (CMA) starting in fiscal year 2022 to help cover the new uniform cost. This will allow you to be paid the replacement value ahead of the new uniform being available and required.
What are we switching to?
For more than 10 years, our members who have been assigned to some Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) positions, Port Security Units (PSU), and joint overseas operations have worn the Navy’s Expeditionary Working Uniform (NWU Type III).
Using these uniforms in these particular environments has demonstrated that this type of uniform is perfect for all Coast Guard missions. We’ve received positive feedback on those who have tested the Navy Type III uniform, and it makes sense for the Coast Guard to adopt that uniform overall as our new operational uniform.
A little bit about the uniform
There are a number of exciting benefits to the new Type III uniform you can expect:
- The Mandarin collar – allows for quick assimilation to General Quarters/Battle conditions;
- Rank tab – allows for easy replacement of rank upon promotion/advancement without requiring uniform replacement or tailoring;
- Additional pocket;
- Self-blousing trousers;
- Organizational patches for quick service identification.
We believe there are a lot of benefits to switching to this particular uniform. Specifically, when we are able to use a uniform pattern that our sister service is already using, our production costs are reduced passing those savings down to you – the member and consumer.
Sizing
The new CGWU is a non-gender specific uniform, unlike the odd/even sizing convention for the operational dress uniform (ODU) blouse, which historically has been confusing to our service population. Blouses are sized by chest measurement and shirt length and trousers are sized by waist and inseam measurements. In order to know what your size is, take a moment to measure yourself, or ask a friend to assist.
Implementation time line
Officially, the new CGWU received development approval the end of 2019. There was extensive coordination between Military Uniforms (PSC-PSD-MU) and the Navy about the Coast Guard adopting the NWU Type III pattern. After negotiating details on everything from color, contracting, and sustainment activities, an agreement was reached for the Coast Guard to transition to the CGWU. From there, it looked like the new uniform would be making its way out to the fleet at the end of fiscal year 2022.
……Then a world-wide pandemic hit.
Almost immediately, the pandemic had significant impacts to the U.S. Textile and Industrial Base. Most U.S. production shut down. Manufacturing plants shut down because COVID-19 was affecting large populations of the skilled labor force. When manufacturing was able to restart at a lower capacity (30% of pre-COVID-19 levels), manufacturers shifted to PPE production to support the U.S. need. Garment manufacturing ceased for over a year and has slowly returned to near normal production. However, a tremendous production back-log of current contracts had to be satisfied first.
The Coast Guard’s uniform contracts were updated in August 2021 following even more coordination with the Navy and Defense Logistics Agency and we are back on track heading in the right direction.