Life as a Third Class Cadet at the Coast Guard Academy

I'm curious about the experience of being a third class cadet at the Coast Guard Academy. What are the daily responsibilities like, and how does it differ from the other years? Any insights would be really appreciated!

The cadet experience at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is unique, and each year features distinct responsibilities and challenges. A cadet's third year, or the "third class" year as generally known, witnesses considerable progression in their academic studies and leadership duties compared to their preceding two years.

A typical day for a third-class cadet, similar to all cadets, begins early with morning physical training sessions or military obligations. This morning time is typically dedicated to building physical resilience and team skills around 0600 hours.

Next, you'll have breakfast, followed by academic classes, which take up a significant chunk of the day. A robust academic curriculum in this year would typically entail classes in your major, along with some core courses, such as calculus, physics, or professional maritime studies.

The period following classes tapers into sports practices or clubs commitments. Participation in sports or extracurricular activities is an integral part of the cadet experience that fosters teamwork, leadership, and resiliency skills.

During dinner, all the cadets usually gather to discuss the day, offering an opportunity to build camaraderie. Finally, the day concludes with study hours devoted to homework, project work, or preparation for the next day's classes.

As a third-class cadet, the earlier summer is spent at a Coast Guard unit (station, cutter, or sector), allowing the cadets to apply their academic learnings to real-world Coast Guard operations. This field experience significantly differentiates the second year from the third one.

The third-class year is also significant because you start assuming informal leadership roles. Unlike the fourth-class year, where you are following orders, the third-class year offers the opportunity to enforce the regiment and help the incoming class embrace the experience.

However, the responsibilities and challenges intensify in the second-class year, as cadets get to dive deeper into their chosen major's coursework and take on formal leadership roles within the cadet regiment. They also spend more time at sea gaining professional maritime experience.