United States Coast Guard Academy prepares young men and women to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard. The academy’s campus is on the banks of the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. The academy is comparable to those of the other armed forces. However, its enrollment is smaller and entrance is by annual national competition rather than congressional appointment. Students are called cadets. Graduates receive bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the United States Coast Guard.
Entrance requirements.
Cadets are selected based on college entrance examinations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens between 17 and 22 years old. Candidates must meet other requirements established by the commandant of the United States Coast Guard. In 1976, the academy admitted women students for the first time.
Cadets are organized as a regiment for military training. Senior cadets serve as regiment officers under the supervision of career Coast Guard officers. Total enrollment at the academy is about 1,050.
The course of instruction
offers a four-year program of academic, military, and physical education training. Cadets must take certain courses that provide a background in all subject areas. They also choose one of several fields for in-depth study. Such fields include marine engineering and government. Military training includes such academic courses as navigation and seamanship, plus summer training. During summers, cadets participate in Coast Guard operations aboard modern ships. They also train on the academy’s sailing ship, the Eagle. Summer programs for cadets include aviation training, small arms training, and search-and-rescue training.
History.
The Coast Guard cadet training system began in 1876 with the assignment of the Dobbin as a combination training ship, classroom, and sleeping quarters. In 1890, the Academy established its first land-based campus in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The campus moved to New London in 1910.
