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Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Swab Summer

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

First off, congratulations to the incoming Class of 2015! To all of you who have accepted your appointments, you’re joining a great service. You’re definitely not taking the easy path, but if you’re willing to work hard you’ll have some amazing experiences and become part of an incredible group of people – the Corps of Cadets.

I’m not going to tell you the secret to success during Swab Summer; there isn’t one. Some days you’ll be miserable and discouraged, other days you’ll feel like you and your company could accomplish anything. It’s all part of the experience. I will, however, share with you a few things that I wish someone had told me before Swab Summer.

ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM! Seriously, you are only going to be a recently emancipated high schooler for a couple weeks of your life. You might as well live it up. Spend as much time as possible with your friends and family and enjoy being obligation-free.
In terms of preparing for Swab Summer, there are a few things I would do. First of all, check out a couple YouTube videos and read some cadet blogs to get a sense of what the summer is going to be like. It’s good to have at least a general sense of what you’ve gotten yourself into. You should also maintain a good level of physical fitness. Other than that, don’t stress yourself out! No amount of mentoring, pep-talking, or worrying is going to make you perform better over the summer, so just relax and have fun.
This is something someone actually did tell me before Swab Summer; my aunt, who was in the Navy, told me, “If thousands of people before you have gotten through it, you can, too.” If you want to get through it, you will.

Good luck Class of 2015! You guys have made a great decision. Enjoy the end of your senior year, see you this summer!

More about Julie.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/14/2012 9:20 AM