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Becoming a Coast Guard Cadet

(Choosing the Coast Guard Academy, Class of 2013) Permanent link All Posts

Being a cadet encompasses a lot of different roles. You are a member of the United States Coast Guard, a future officer, a student, an athlete, a shipmate, and a friend. Somehow you have to find a way to balance these roles and to make each of them a part of who you are.

When I first came here, I hardly knew anything about the Coast Guard. I read everything I could get my hands on about SAR and I knew the main missions of the Coast Guard, but I had no idea what it meant to actually be a part of the service. Since R-Day, however, I’ve gotten a much better sense of what it means to be a Coast Guard cadet. You have to hold yourself to a higher standard because one day, people’s lives will be in your hands and they need to be able to trust you completely. This means you have to be 100% honest, show integrity, and always work your hardest. No one is perfect, but these are the ideals that we strive for everyday. As a cadet you are constantly being pushed physically and mentally and trying to become a stronger person.

More about Julie.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/14/2012 8:54 AM