Fourth Class Year

Your fourth class year begins with Swab Summer and winds up when you take the Fourth Class Qualification Board, signifying your readiness to progress. Learning to follow effectively is the leadership focus during fourth class year.

Professionally, Swab Summer cruise aboard the Eagle is your first opportunity to develop basic seamanship skills. By the end of fourth class year you will be familiar with the Coast Guard, service terminology, officer career fields, and how to function in a military organization.

“Pooling together everyone’s talents, values, experience, culture, knowledge, and passion to help one another make it through. We need each other to lean on and rely on that friendship.” - 4/c cadet

Fourth Class Year Highlights

Swab Summer

Seven weeks similar to bootcamp, making the transition from civilian to military life, and team above self.

Eagle Cruise

One week during Swab Summer, learning fundamental skills as a mariner, and how to work together as a crew.

Shoulder Board Ceremony

The formal transition from Swab to fourth class Cadet is recognized at the start of the academic year in a ceremony held on Washington Parade Field.

Watch Standing

Responsibility, accountability, and followership are reinforced throughout the academic year when standing duty, performing orderly duties, and yielding to upper classmen.

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Fourth Class Year

Fourth Class Year Highlights