Talk:United States Coast Guard Academy/Archive 1

Infobox
This article needs to have an Infobox_University added to it similar to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States Air Force Academy, but www.cga.edu has fewer facts (and art) that we can use to fill out this infobox than the other academies do. Can someone help get the appropriate info? --rogerd 01:33, 10 February 2006 (UTC)


 * I can provide info


 * Email me at (removed) and I can provide you with most everything you might need (and sources to back it up.) I would just add the template myself but I am a wikipedia n00b and can't figure it out! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Matteboy2001 (talk • contribs) 2006 April 22 21:47 (UTC).
 * I've added the infobox using info I was able to dig up. It could still use a few pieces of data though, including the size of the faculty, the area of the campus, and the name of the mascot (if there is one). ×Meegs 00:00, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I added in the Mascot, Objee. I will add as much relevant info as I can find over the next few days; I am waiting for all of the Academy's website to comeback up from a massive overhaul. Thanks inserting the infobox. About the established date, perhaps a heading of "Established as Revenue Cutter School of Instruction : 1876" with one right below that of "Established in present form : 1915", or something to that effect. If I hear no objection I will do that. Matteboy2001 01:36, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
 * The infobox doesn't give us that power – we have to settle for one date under the heading Established. It's not a big deal though; the infobox is just a complement to the article, which make the chronology quite clear.  I'm on the fence for which one to use, but putting 1876/1915 is also an option. ×Meegs 01:43, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
 * Too bad about the infobox. I went ahead and changed it to 1876/1915, Good idea. Matteboy2001 01:51, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I like it: it'll encourage browsers the read the article, where they'll also learn that the current location is even newer. ×Meegs 01:58, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

Traditions Section + Summer Training Section
I think we need to add a traditions section covering such things as 100th day, silver dollars at commencement, and the chain link/homecoming game thing. If there is anyone out there is wikiland with more (read any) first-hand experience at the Academy please give some input into the creation of this section. I am going just on what I have read and the stories (of questionable veracity) that I have been told. I would hate to add something false or share a secret!

I think more should be added to the Course of Study section and a summer training section should be broken off from it. If I hear no objection I will move forward on this in the next few weeks as school slows down for me. Matteboy2001 01:47, 23 April 2006 (UTC)


 * I am a graduate of the Academy. 100th day means that there are 100 days left til graduation.  It is/was a day of role reversal for the 2/c and 4/c cadets.  The 4/c (freshmen) picks a 2/c and "earns" their shoulderboards (rank insignia) for the event.  This earning of boards is accomplished by completing various tasks for the upperclassmam.  Then on the night before 100th day is 101st night when there were many more obstacles placed before the 4/c cadets prior to their final 'earning' of the boards.  This tradition led to many instances of hazing and I do not know if it has continued on or not, I know our class had hundredth day cancelled before we even got to 101st night because of some hazing incidents.
 * About the chain. Its big.  It heavy.  It is a royal pain in the butt to try and hide.  Each link is about three feet long.  If I remember correctly there are two links that are hidden.  It takes several strong cadets to even lift the thing.  Of course it is also not very easy to stealthily move this item around campus.  The object is for the 4/c cadets to hide the chain prior to homecoming.  The 2/c cadets must find the chain before the football game on Saturday.  I forgot what the reward was for successfully hiding the chain, we were not successful.
 * Silver dollars: Tradition holds that the first person to salute a new Ensign after graduation gets a silver dollar. Generally we would use Susan B. dollars.  I had a pocket full of them and handed out about a dozen of them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 152.121.18.98 (talk) 20:03, 15 September 2006 (UTC)

Revamp
I recently fixed a ton of out-dated information and added more in-depth material, and also added better pictures. I am planning a traditions section (as suggested below). --Trollusk 16:26, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

Alfa or Alpha?
Back in the day, I remember the debate. I was in Alpha company and someone high up in the administration pointed out that A in the phonetic alphabet was listed in Bowditch as Alfa. Another someone high up pointed out that A in Greek was alpha. The debate raged and Alpha eventually won out. Then I moved to Hotel company and didn't really pay attention anymore. What does everyone else remember? Ekbeale 16:56, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

I see that someone changed the word Alfa to Alpha, even though the reference a couple of words later says Alfa. The debate rages on! Personally, I'll go with Alfa per the referenced chart. Ekbeale 14:26, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Quote
The quote said "the sciences and the amenities,..."

I certainly hope that's not what he said.

I corrected it to "humanities." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.114.107.4 (talk) 13:42, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
 * −You are incorrect. It is "amenities". Be more careful in the future about making changes based on your assumptions -- this was easily confirmed with the official website. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.91.55.183 (talk • contribs) 20:04, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

Selectivity
I don't believe that the statement, "The Academy is regularly cited as being one of the most difficult U.S. college-level institution to gain entrance into" is supported by the reference to which it is linked. The US News and World Report states that the Academy is "more selective" whereas Harvard College, as an example, is classified as "most selective". The statement may be true but a different source is needed to support the statement. Rbedmiston (talk) 22:12, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

USCGC Eagle and USS Constitution
The article states the USCGC Eagle is the only active service tall ship. Should this be qualified to within the USCG only? I believe the USS Constitution is classified as active service. Anyone more knowledgeable able to clarify? Cheers, --TeaDrinker (talk) 23:20, 24 June 2009 (UTC)
 * The Constitution is clasified "In Commission Special" which keeps a crew stationed on her but she is seldom underway, just very special occasions. The Eagle is underway at least part of every year and has a crew on board year round, even if there is not a cadet crew being trained.  I would say that the qualifier "active" is descriptive of the Eagle. It's mission, in part, is to represent the Coast Guard at maritime events held everywhere, all year long; as well as help train Coast Guard Academy Cadets.  The Constitution has a mission of representing the Navy in a historical light and it does this very well.  Its crew requires knowledge of the history of the Navy, particularly the early 19th century, and a crew well versed in naval ceremony.  The crew of the Constitution requires refresher training on board the Eagle, assisted by the crew of the Eagle before it can get underway.


 * Both ships crews deserve our support and thanks. Cuprum17 (talk) 20:48, 15 December 2009 (UTC)

I'm surprised that it's "cadets" and not "midshipmen"
Was it always "cadets"? Or was it originally "midshipmen" and changed so as to achieve "inclusive language"? Tom129.93.17.106 (talk) 00:34, 8 August 2009 (UTC)


 * According to my source, The Coast Guard Expands 1865-1915 New Roles, New Frontiers by Irving H. King, 1996, Naval Institute Press, the cadets were always called cadets. Chapter 9 deals with the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction, the forerunner of the Coast Guard Academy.  The terminology used was "Cadet"


 * Inclusive language isn't always apparent; witness the existing rate "Yeoman" or the terms "Seaman" or "Fireman" or "Airman". Alas some rates have been renamed, but not necessarily because of Inclusive language, i.e., Engineman is now Machinery Technician, but that also includes the responsibilities of the Navy ratings: Gas Turbine, Boilerman, Engineman, Machinist Mate, and Machinery Repairman with a dash of Electrician Mate thrown in. Cuprum17 (talk) 22:50, 8 August 2009 (UTC)

"Pre graduation" picture
In the course of study section there is a picture labeled as 1/c cadets that actually appear to be Officer Candidates (they have similar shoulder boards). What ceremony is it in which a few 1/c would have full dress white w/ swords on the Washington Parade field? Graduation is at Cadet Memorial Field, and they don't wear their swords. There are also several members with large sets of medals in this picture, this would be unusual for cadets. This could be labeled as Officer Candidates, but this page seems to be more about cadet issues in general, vice OCS. Perhaps an picture of the graduation ceremony itself would be better.O1eqlsfun (talk) 19:16, 7 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Agreed. The notes on the image itself don't show the source of the image (grrrr) so it's difficult to tell.  There are decorated prior-enlisted cadets, but you're right, not like that, usually.  A graduation picture would be more appropriate. ~  Pesco  So say•we all 20:05, 7 March 2010 (UTC)   Found one.  ~  Pesco  So say•we all 21:21, 7 March 2010 (UTC)