Everything You Need to Know About Coast Guard Boot Camp
The Coast Guard is often the most overlooked of the military service branches, but it serves an incredibly important purpose. During times of peace, it:
- Enforces the United States’ sea laws
- Protects the marine environment
- Performs life-saving missions at sea
- Guards America’s ports and coasts
The men and women of the Coast Guard save people during some of the worst weather and can also be deployed overseas to protect U.S. maritime assets. During times of war, they supplement the United States Navy.
If you’ve decided to join the U.S. Coast Guard, you certainly want to know what to expect, right? In this article, you’ll learn about the Coast Guard values, boot camp, what to pack for training and more. So, pack your durable tactical bag. You’re off to boot camp now.
Learn the Coast Guard Values
One of the first things you’ll want to do is learn the Coast Guard boot camp’s fundamental values–respect, honor and dedication to duty. The training objectives for the Coast Guard include:
- Academics and vocational skills
- Self-discipline
- Wellness and physical fitness
- Military skills
- Esprit de corps or morale
- Marksmanship
- Water survival
- Military bearing
Over a period of eight weeks, you’ll learn these skills and many more, focusing on getting more physically fit and teamwork.
U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training
Basic training lasts for 53 days, so prepare for a grueling schedule and training. It’s split into eight weeks of various levels of training and helps prepare Coast Guardsmen for the work this military service branch performs. From saving lives to helping in times of war, there’s much for brand-new recruits to learn.
So, what should you expect on your first day at boot camp?
What to Expect Your First Day at Coast Guard Boot Camp
During the first couple of days, you’ll take care of all the admin requirements such as paperwork, orientation and haircuts and they will issue you your uniforms. You’ll also get dental and medical exams to determine if you’re fit for duty.
Your first day will be a late one no matter what time you arrive in Cape May. Once you arrive in Philadelphia, PA, you’ll report to the USO (United Service Organizations).
The USO connects military service members with their family, country and home. From there, you’ll take a bus to the Recruit Process Center on Cape May. That’s when you will first meet your Company Commander (CC). Don’t expect it to be sunshine and roses. Then, In-Processing begins. You likely won’t go to bed until after midnight. Bright and early the next morning, at about 0530, a company commander will wake you up.
Coast Guard Boot Camp In-Processing
Once the In-Processing begins, you’ll be given a book called The Helmsman. Your CC expects you to read this book whenever you have downtime. So, you can read it while you wait to give a urine sample for alcohol and drug testing and fill out paperwork. Women also take a pregnancy test.
And to make the process more fun, every task you do is timed. It should take you 10 seconds to find paperwork and another five seconds to put your name on a name tag.
You won’t be able to wear your contact lenses, and you can only wear your civilian eyeglasses until the military issues you a pair. Once you graduate from boot camp, you can wear your civilian glasses again as long as they conform to the military dress and appearance regulations.
After you get through the first few days, the real fun starts on day four when your whole company meets the CC and his or her assistants. Then, boot camp officially starts.
Once you officially start boot camp, you’ll take a physical fitness test to assess where you’re at and if you’re fit for duty. There are minimum standards you must meet, and they are different for men and women.
New recruits must also finish a swim circuit as part of the physical fitness test. Another thing they must do is jump from a 6-foot platform and swim a distance of 100 meters.
The Basic Training Schedule – What to Expect
Here’s what to expect from each week of basic training.
Week One of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
Things intensify the second half of the first week of boot camp. Your days begin at 0530 with a strict curfew of 2200. There is very little free time, and if you have any, you’re supposed to continue reading The Helmsman.
Your CC will threaten to revert you back to another group frequently if you fail. It’s not uncommon for recruits to be reverted if they fall behind and aren’t meeting expectations.
They are sent to RAMP (Recruit Aptitude and Motivation Program), where they must prove they can meet minimum standards. Recruits will stay here until the CC feels they can continue with a training unit. If you successfully complete RAMP, then you can go back to the unit you were in before being sent to RAMP. However, you may be with another unit depending on how long you were in RAMP because your first unit will have moved on.
Being reverted is stressful. But it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to continue with Coast Guard Boot Camp. However, that is still a possible outcome if you continue to show that you can’t meet Coast Guard standards. Friends and family are encouraged to wait to make travel arrangements for graduation, considering reversion is common and your graduation date may change.
You’ll also learn about the demerit system for doing things wrong that the Coast Guard has defined as performance indicators. The best advice for surviving your first week is to work hard and stay disciplined.
Week Two of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
Training ramps up to the next level during week two of boot camp. You start classroom studies this week and start your day with workouts. In class, you’ll learn about everything from the GI Bill to seamanship basics.
You’ll also take swimming assessments. Recruits also meet a Company Mentor this week, who is a friend, vs. the CC who seems to do a lot of yelling. The mentor is an active-duty Coast Guardsman and spends time with your company, giving you advice.
Week Three of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
The third week of boot camp is more physically challenging because you learn how to work as a team when the Coast Guard introduces you to Helmsmen. You’ll also learn about FOIA, the Freedom of Information Act.
Recruits also love this week because you get introduced to firearms, but you’re only trained on a 9mm gun versus other military branches that use M-16 rifles. You won’t actually train on it until week four.
Week Four of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
Now it’s time for firearms training, and it represents the brightest spot this week because you’ll also need to study and pass your midterm exams. Recruits who fail physical fitness tests this week need more training. They must try to pass the test again during the seventh week of boot camp.
You’ll learn about enlisted careers and career planning. Also, you will go over allowances and pay. Recruits fill out their Assignment Data Card (ADC) to request an assignment this week. These requests start by location and then unit type (small boat station, patrol boat, etc.).
Now for the worst part. If you fail the test again in week seven, the Coast Guard will revert you and can hold you in boot camp for a total of 12 weeks.
But if you pass, this week ends with a celebration and your company earns its colors.
Week Five of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
Now you’re halfway through basic training and drill rehearsal is the primary focus this week. You’ll learn all about fire prevention, seamanship, knots, lines, deck maintenance and more. Recruits practice emergency drills after they learn about personal flotation devices and survival equipment.
You’ll also get your first duty station as well as receive your dress uniform and prepare for graduation. Preparations for relocating after boot camp start now, too.
Week Six of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
This week’s main focus is on firearms. You learn how to handle and shoot a gun safely. Recruits also learn about firefighting, watch standing and fire prevention.
Career counseling is also available to help you plan for traveling and other important details after you graduate.
Week Seven of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
The Coast Guard wants to make sure you can enter the fleet and fulfill the duties of your rating. You’ll need to pass your final written and physical exam. Your CC will also have you turn in your training gear. If you pass your exams and haven’t racked up demerits, your reward is an eight-hour pass.
Week Eight of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp
The final week of Coast Guard Basic Boot Camp is exciting and less stressful. You’ll fill out the necessary paperwork and get ready to depart to a duty station. Invite friends and family to your graduation because it’s something to be proud of.
The top three percent of the company receive ribbons, and recruits get awards for leadership, physical fitness, academics, marksmanship and seamanship.
The Coast Guard differs here from other military branches in that out-processing happens before the graduation ceremony.
Now that you know what to expect, what can you take with you to training?
What to Pack for Coast Guard Boot Camp
Now you need to know what to pack for boot camp because it’s certainly not like any other trip you’ll make. They’ll issue clothing like reliable tactical boots, sturdy tactical pants and uniforms. Here’s what you need to bring to boot camp:
- $50 cash for the Exchange
- 6-10 pairs of underwear
- White V-neck shirts
- Stamps and address book
- Unframed pictures
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Watch
- Non-electric razor
- Cell phone and charger
Women can also bring:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Sport bras
- Neutral-colored hair ties and scrunchies
- Feminine products
BROWSE OUR SELECTION OF TACTICAL PANTS
What Not to Bring
There are certain things that the military considers contraband and restricts you from bringing. Those items include:
- Supplements
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Food and drinks
- Weapons
- Pornographic materials
- Magazines
- Newspapers
For a full list of things that you can or can’t bring, check out the Coast Guard’s lists for 2021. You’ll also see the list of things that the Coast Guard issues you.
The Rules for Contacting Family and Friends
Once you arrive at boot camp in Cape May, your family receives a postcard with your information on it so they can send you letters. You can’t receive care packages at this point, and recruits can’t receive phone calls unless there is an emergency. Your CC grants phone privileges later on at their discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Coast Guard Boot Camp.
What Does the Coast Guard Do?
The Coast Guard is one of seven military branches and they perform a variety of missions and roles:
- Law Enforcement
- Navigational Aids
- Marine Environmental Protection Ice Operations
- Search and Rescue
- Migrant Interdiction
- Living Marine Resources
- Defense Readiness
- Marine Safety
The Coast Guard is America’s oldest Maritime Defender. In times of peace, they enforce the sea laws of the United States, protect the marine environment, perform life-saving missions at sea and guard the country’s ports and coasts. During times of war, they supplement the Navy.
How Long Is Coast Guard Boot Camp?
The Coast Guard’s boot camp is eight weeks or 53 days.
Where Is Coast Guard Boot Camp?
Coast Guard Boot Camp is in Cape May, New Jersey.
Now you understand what you can and can’t bring with you and what happens during your eight-week boot camp. Knowing what to expect reduces the fear of the unknown and can help you lean into this training.
A military career comes with many benefits, but it also comes with responsibilities and hardships. Being a Coast Guardsmen is an honor, and you receive unique assignments compared to other military branches. Get ready to start your military career and defend the coasts and ports of America.
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