Family Time
“Grad Week”
It’s graduation week! While the anticipation for reunion is undoubtedly high, it’s important to remember your Coastie still has a few final tasks to complete before officially becoming a United States Coast Guardsman.
Celebrating the Final Milestone
With graduation just around the corner, your Recruit will dive into the history of a key Coast Guard event, building a sense of pride and honor in the legacy they are about to join. This reflection will inspire them to strive for excellence, just as the Coast Guardsmen they learn about did before them.
Recruits will also tackle this week’s physical fitness challenge, pushing themselves with a mix of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, cycling, a two-mile run, and swimming. Upon completing the challenge, they will receive their Gore-Tex jacket—a durable, weather-resistant piece of gear designed to keep them warm and dry during their service, ensuring they’re prepared for any conditions they may encounter in the fleet.
Welcome to the Coast Guard!
Another highlight of the week is the Capping Ceremony, where Recruits will exchange their Recruit covers, marked with large yellow “RECRUIT” lettering, for new U.S. Coast Guard covers. They’ll proudly pin on their non-rate insignia, marking their transformation from recruits to Coast Guardsmen.
In addition, Recruits will meet with the Commanding Officer (CO) and receive encouraging advice and guidance that will stay with them throughout their careers. They will also review pay, allowances, and handle any final administrative tasks to ensure everything is in order before leaving Cape May.
The Main Event Graduation!
Graduation Day marks the culmination of all their hard work and dedication. After attending the family briefing with the CO, you’ll finally get the chance to see your Recruit in person! During the ceremony, graduates will perform a fly-by, marching proudly past the audience while singing cadences for all to hear. Be sure to have your camera📸 ready—you won’t want to miss this moment! Just keep in mind that it might be tricky to spot your Recruit right away; they’ve undergone a considerable transformation, and with everyone in uniform, they’ll all look strikingly similar.
With these milestones behind them, your Recruit is ready to graduate and embark on their Coast Guard career, fully prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities ahead!
The feeling you get when you see your new Coastie for the first time will be more than you could ever imagine. They’ve accomplished a lot, and you should be proud of them. Don’t worry, the week will go by quickly, and you’ll see them in no time. For those headed to graduation, safe travels. I wish your Coastie the best of luck throughout their career in the Coast Guard.
On behalf of all of us at Sandboxx, congratulations!
I am SgtMaj Paul Davis. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey and that of your Coastie.
Semper Paratus,
SgtMaj Paul Davis (USMC Ret.)